News

Investigative Reviews Update: April 1, 2024 – September 30, 2024

Terri Pelton, provincial Child and Youth Advocate, has provided an update to the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly on her office’s investigative reviews spanning from April 1, 2024 to September 30, 2024. Reviews were completed and publicly released for 38 young people who were receiving child intervention services at the time of or within two […]

Child and Youth Advocate releases update on investigative reviews into child deaths and serious injuries

Investigative reviews of 48 young people who passed away or were seriously injured were completed in 2023–2024 April 9, 2024 Edmonton, Alberta Terri Pelton, provincial Child and Youth Advocate, has provided an update to the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly on her office’s investigative reviews spanning from April 1, 2023 to March 31, 2024. Reviews […]

Public Statement: Supporting Gender Diverse Children and Youth

February 1, 2024 Yesterday, Premier Smith announced new policies affecting gender diverse young people and their families. We are gathering more information to understand the full impact of these changes on the children and youth we serve. Our support for gender diverse young people remains unwavering. In 2017 we released Speaking Out, a special report […]

Child and Youth Advocate calls on government to improve services and supports for young people with disabilities

January 23, 2024 Edmonton, Alberta The Office of the Child and Youth Advocate (OCYA) has released Beyond Barriers: A Special Report on Young People with Disabilities in the Child Intervention and Youth Justice Systems. Through this report, the Child and Youth Advocate is making eight new recommendations aimed at improving services and supports for this […]

Child and Youth Advocate’s annual report highlights critical issues impacting young people

November 27, 2023 Edmonton, Alberta Terri Pelton, provincial Child and Youth Advocate, has released the 2022–2023 Annual Report of the Office of the Child and Youth Advocate (OCYA). This year’s annual report provides a summary of OCYA major activities during the past year and an overview of the office’s recommendations to government. “This year, we […]

Child and Youth Advocate releases mandatory reviews concerning 18 young people

Report highlights the importance of promoting the well-being of children and families, cultural connection, and urgent action to curb drug toxicity

Child and Youth Advocate releases Summary Report: 10 Years of Investigations

March 1, 2023 Terri Pelton, Alberta’s Child and Youth Advocate, has released a summary report of investigation statistics and trends over a 10-year period, beginning with the Office of the Child and Youth Advocate’s (OCYA) independence from government. This summary report focuses on 634 serious injuries or deaths of young people between April 1, 2012 […]

2021–2022 OCYA Annual Report released

Terri Pelton, Alberta’s Child and Youth Advocate, has released the 2021–2022 annual report of the Office of the Child and Youth Advocate (OCYA).

This year’s annual report provides a summary of OCYA activities during the past year and looks ahead at how the OCYA plans to strengthen its services so that young people in Alberta succeed in their lives and communities.

Child and Youth Advocate releases mandatory reviews concerning 15 young people

Report highlights the need for urgent action to address service-delivery gaps for young people with complex needs Edmonton…The Office of the Child and Youth Advocate has released reviews into the circumstances of 15 young people who passed away between October 1, 2021 and March 31, 2022. This mandatory report is one of the largest to […]

Survey: Child Intervention Services practice support and clinical supervision for frontline staff and casework supervisors

The Office of the Child and Youth Advocate (OCYA) is a child rights-based organization and an independent legislative office reporting to the Alberta Legislature. The OCYA advocates for children and youth receiving designated services (child intervention and youth justice services) and investigates the serious injury or death of children involved with these systems. The essence of […]

Terri Pelton appointed new Child and Youth Advocate

April 5, 2022 Edmonton…Terri Pelton was sworn-in today as Alberta’s new Child and Youth Advocate during an official ceremony at the legislature. “It’s an honour to be chosen as the next Child and Youth Advocate,” said Pelton. “While there are challenges ahead, I strongly believe that by working collectively on shared goals, we as a […]

Child and Youth Advocate releases mandatory reviews concerning 15 young people

March 29, 2022 Report focuses on themes of coordinated service delivery, strengthening accountability, and providing services and supports to Indigenous young people Edmonton…The Office of the Child and Youth Advocate released reviews into the circumstances of 15 young people who passed away between April 1, 2021 and September 30, 2021. This mandatory report is the […]

2020–2021 OCYA Annual Report released

Del Graff, Alberta’s Child and Youth Advocate, released the 2020–2021 OCYA Annual Report.

Child and Youth Advocate releases mandatory reviews concerning nine young people

Child and Youth Advocate releases mandatory reviews concerning nine young people

Themes of family violence, importance of cultural connections, need to support for young people transitioning out of government care

Edmonton…The Office of the Child and Youth Advocate released reviews into the circumstances of nine young people who passed away between October 1, 2020 and March 31, 2021.

Child and Youth Advocate releases systemic review concerning nine young people

September 7, 2021 Child and Youth Advocate releases a systemic review concerning nine young people Thorough assessment, information-sharing, and collaboration among service providers are key areas of recommendation “There is legislation in place such as the Children First Act which works to promote the well-being, safety and security of children and families by allowing for […]

Child and Youth Advocate releases follow-up report on youth opioid use

Alberta’s Child and Youth Advocate has released a follow-up report on youth opioid use. Renewed Focus: A Follow-Up Report on Youth Opioid Use in Alberta explores what has changed since the Advocate’s first report on this issue was released in June of 2018.

Child and Youth Advocate releases Statement of Concern

March 9, 2021 Edmonton…Del Graff, Provincial Child and Youth Advocate, released his first Statement of Concern for young people whose parents are involved in high-conflict custody and access matters. Read the full news release. Read the Statement of Concern.

Mandatory Reviews: October 1, 2019 – March 31, 2020

September 29, 2020 Child and Youth Advocate releases fourth mandatory reviews into child deaths Edmonton…The Office of the Child and Youth Advocate (OCYA) has released reviews into the circumstances of 13 young people, 11 of whom passed away between October 1, 2019 and March 31, 2020. This report also includes a young person who passed […]

Mandatory Reviews: April 1, 2019 – September 30, 2019

Child and Youth Advocate releases third mandatory reviews into child deaths.

A Critical Time: A Special Report

Child and Youth Advocate releases special report on young adults leaving government care

National Child Day 2019

National Child Day celebrations focus on the 30th anniversary of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.