AB-OCYA: Mandatory Reviews: April 1, 2019 – September 30, 2019

March 24, 2020

Child and Youth Advocate releases third mandatory reviews into child deaths

Edmonton…The Office of the Child and Youth Advocate (OCYA) has released reviews into the circumstances of eight young people who passed away between April 1, 2019 and September 30, 2019.

8. 18-Year-Old Rich

Rich was 18 years old when he died by suicide. Child Intervention Services was involved with him through an Enhancement Agreement with Youth that expired four days prior to his death.

The Advocate found that there were missed opportunities to provide early and ongoing intervention and support to Rich. He had cognitive challenges and as he got older, he struggled with addictions and his mental health. These complex needs made it difficult to access appropriate supports and services. He needed early, ongoing and intentional supports.

Rich’s need for intervention was elevated because he repeatedly experienced trauma in his family and community. Given the challenges Rich faced, long-term connections with healthy peers or adults in his Indigenous community may have been beneficial. Rich’s parents and grandparents may have also benefited from healthy community based peer supports.

Read the full report here.

NT5