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Individual advocacy
What is individual advocacy?
Did you know?
Advocacy for individual children and youth. Advocates can help you have a voice if you need services from the Yukon Government. Governments are obligated to uphold children’s rights.
From 2010 - 2022, YCAO addressed 1,295 issues for 759 children and youth.
What types of things does an individual advocacy worker do?
We will help your views be heard and make sure your rights are considered when decisions are being made about you. We will ask you what you want or need and will contact Yukon Government departments to find out what they are doing to help you. Government departments are required to let us know what they are doing for you.
Does YCAO advocate for parents?
No. YCAO advocates for children and youth. We encourage parents to access their own supports. Prioritizing their own healing is one of the best ways for parents to support their children.
Does YCAO represent the child in court?
Does YCAO have to meet the child?
No. YCAO cannot act as legal counsel or interfere with the work of another body, tribunal or court. A family court judge can appoint a children’s lawyer to ensure the interests of the child are upheld.
Yes. YCAO strives to meet with the child to get their view. Occasionally, we won’t meet the child if it isn’t in their best interest. When we don’t have the view of the child, we defer to their rights under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Does YCAO need consent from the parents or guardians to provide advocacy?
No. At YCAO our client is the child or youth. Referrals can come directly from the child or youth or any person with an interest in the child or youth. Fourty-eight percent of referrals come from a parent or caregiver, but occasionally we need to advocate without parental involvement.
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