Former Youth In Care
If you have experience in B.C. government care, you could qualify for financial support for your education at Douglas College.
Student Support Navigator
The Student Support Navigator provides outreach and guidance to prospective and current students who have experience in Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD) Care.
Youth formerly in B.C. care can qualify for financial support to cover the cost of education. We help you get connected to what you’re eligible for.
Am I a former youth in care?
As defined by the Child, Family and Community Service Act, a youth in care is someone who is currently, or has received care from the Ministry of Children and Family Development or a Delegated Aboriginal Agency (DAA) through the Child, Family and Community Service Act for a minimum of twelve months (consecutive or accumulated) in any, or a combination, of the following categories:
Continuing Custody Order pursuant to sections 41 (1) (d), 42.2 (4) (d) or (7) or 49 (4), (5) or 10 (a) of the Act
- A protection order in which the court has assigned permanent custody of the child to the Director of Child Welfare (the Director).
Temporary Custody Order
- A protection order in which the court has assigned custody of the child to the Director on a temporary basis.
Special Needs Agreement pursuant to section 7 of the Act
- A parent of a child with special needs may voluntarily and temporarily agree to place the child in the care of the Director.
Voluntary Care Agreement pursuant to section 6 of the Act
- A parent voluntarily and temporarily places the child in the care of the Director
Youth Agreement pursuant to section 12.2 of the Act
- The Director enters into an agreement with a youth (ages 16 – 19) who needs assistance to live independently and cannot be re-established with family.
Extended Family Plan pursuant to section 8 of the Act
- A parent voluntarily and temporarily places the child in the care of an adult who has an established familial, relational, or cultural connection to the child.
Permanent Transfer of Custody Order pursuant to section 54.01 or 54.1 of the Act
- An order in which the court permanently transfers custody to another (non-parent) family member or another adult with an established relational or cultural connection to the child.
Temporary Transfer of Custody pursuant to section 41(1)(b) of the Act
A protection order in which the court temporarily places the child in the custody of an adult, other than a parent, who has an established familial, relational, or cultural connection to the child.
How can the Student Support Navigator help me?
Financial Support
- Help you apply into government programs such as the Provincial Tuition Waiver. Program (PTWP), the Youth Educational Assistance Fund (YEAF) and the Agreements with Young Adults (AYA).
- Help you with your application for scholarships, grants and bursaries.
Student Support
- Connecting you to on-campus and off-campus resources
- Check-ins throughout your journey at Douglas
- Events and workshops throughout the year
- Developing life skills, time management and organizational skills
- Helping you access counselling, indigenous student services, and mental health supports
- Teaching you problem solving skills, where to seek help and learning how to identify solutions
- Providing 1:1 support with goal setting and tracking progress
Contact Us
Melissa Soltani
| Pronouns: She/Her Campus: New Westminster, Coquitlam and Virtual About: Meet with Melissa, she has been working in her role as Student Support Navigator since September 2023. Melissa identifies as a Second generation Iranian Canadian and has a Mild physical disability (Cerebral Palsy). Melissa received her Bachelor's degree in Social work from University of British Columbia in May 2023 and is passionate about providing a person centered approach rooted in trauma informed and culturally sensitive care. She strongly believes in supporting youth with navigating through the adversity that comes with the different phases and stages of life. In her free time Melissa enjoys writing poetry, catching sunsets and searching up recipes on TikTok.
Contact Information
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Lilian Truong
| Pronouns: She/her Campus: New Westminster and Virtual About: Lilian has been a dedicated member of the college community for over three years, bringing her background as a former business and marketing student from Douglas College into her work. As a second-generation Vietnamese, she deeply understands the challenges of navigating diverse cultures and personal identity. Throughout her time at the college, Lilian has gained valuable experience across various departments, including the Career Centre, Business Development, and Student Life. Currently, she serves as the second Student Support Navigator, where her holistic approach focuses on fostering both academic success and advocating for the mental and physical well-being of students. Outside of work, Lilian enjoys spending quality time with friends, exploring new podcasts, indulging in diverse cuisines, and traveling the world.
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