For most young people, the transition to adulthood is gradual. Many parents continue providing housing, financial assistance, emotional support and practical guidance long after their children turns 18.

Youth in care face the same pressures as other young people their age, except they navigate those transitions without stable family relationships, financial resources or informal support.

For youth with disabilities aging out of care, the adjustment to adulthood is intensified. Turning 18 means moving from one system to another with entirely new expectations. Many find themselves waiting for critical services — such as assessments, eligibility decisions, housing arrangements, service planning and the assignment of support workers — while facing the new demands of independence, such as ending school, applying for income supports and navigating adult health services. Delays and poor co-ordination mean youth frequently lose support before new services begin.

Over the past two years, many youth with disabilities have contacted the Manitoba Advocate for Children and Youth (MACY) for help navigating their transition from the child welfare system to adult supports. While each situation was unique, a troubling pattern emerged — they all experienced delayed planning, fragmented service delivery, eligibility barriers and disrupted relationships, undermining their stability at a critical moment of their lives.