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La Dre Doucet s’emploie depuis plus de 20 ans à améliorer la vie des jeunes pris en charge, d’abord dans sa province natale, le Nouveau-Brunswick, puis aujourd’hui sur le territoire traditionnel non cédé de la nation Kanyenʼkehá꞉ka (Mohawk) à Montréal, au Québec. Ancienne jeune placée, elle est titulaire d’un doctorat en travail social, consultante experte, professeure associée à l’École de travail social de l’Université McGill et à l’Université Laval, membre du Centre de recherche sur l’enfance et la famille (CREF) de l’Université McGill et directrice exécutive de la nouvelle organisation fondée sur l’expérience vécue, le Conseil national des défenseurs des jeunes pris en charge (CNDJPEC). Avant de s’installer à Montréal, la Dre Doucet était chargée de projet pour le gouvernement du Nouveau-Brunswick dans le cadre du projet primé de prestation de services intégrés (PSI) destiné aux enfants et aux jeunes ayant des problèmes émotionnels, comportementaux et de santé mentale, et elle a joué un rôle essentiel dans sa mise en œuvre à l’échelle provinciale. Intitulée « Relationships Matter for Youth ‘Aging Out’ of Care » (L’importance des relations pour les jeunes qui atteignent l’âge limite pour bénéficier de la prise en charge), sa thèse de doctorat a retenu l’attention à l’échelle nationale et a servi de plateforme aux jeunes pris en charge dans la région métropolitaine de Vancouver pour élaborer des recommandations en matière de recherche, de politiques et de pratiques dans le domaine de la protection de l’enfance, en s’appuyant sur leur expertise issue de leur expérience vécue.
La Dre Doucet est une conférencière renommée qui s’exprime sur le thème de l’importance que revêt le fait de soutenir de manière équitable les jeunes pris en charge et issus de la prise en charge dans une perspective humaine et fondée sur les droits. Son travail a été salué par des instances de haut niveau sous la forme d’une bourse de doctorat de la Fondation Pierre Elliott Trudeau, de subventions du Conseil de recherches en sciences humaines (CRSH) et, plus récemment, du Prix de la compassion Erminie Cohen. Les recherches de la Dre Doucet visent à offrir une tribune aux jeunes pris en charge par les services sociaux afin de proposer des recommandations spécifiques concernant les politiques, les programmes et les stratégies d’intervention en matière de protection de l’enfance destinés aux jeunes pris en charge par les services sociaux qui arrivent à l’âge adulte. Elle est une mentor et une défenseure passionnée des jeunes pris en charge par les services sociaux et dirige actuellement le projet « Equitable Transitions to Adulthood for Youth in Care » (Transition équitable vers l’âge adulte pour les jeunes pris en charge) en collaboration avec les membres du CNDJPEC.
"Sans le soutien et la reconnaissance que j’ai reçus en tant que boursière de la Fondation Pierre Elliott Trudeau, je suis convaincue que mon parcours doctoral aurait été très différent. Les relations que j’ai nouées par l’intermédiaire de la Fondation lors des différentes conférences annuelles et des Instituts d’été m’ont permis de trouver le financement et le soutien supplémentaires nécessaires pour mener à bien mon projet de recherche doctorale à Vancouver. Ce projet a été l’une des expériences les plus enrichissantes de ma vie jusqu’à présent, car j’ai pu mener mes recherches avec d’autres anciens jeunes pris en charge de manière collaborative et conviviale. La Fondation m’a permis de mener les recherches dont j’avais toujours rêvé, en me mettant en relation avec les bonnes personnes, en me donnant confiance dans mes approches quelque peu radicales en matière de recherche sur la justice sociale et en m’apportant le soutien financier nécessaire pour me concentrer sur ma mission. Je serai éternellement reconnaissante pour mon expérience en tant que boursière et j’ai hâte de poursuivre mon engagement auprès de la communauté de la Fondation en tant qu’ancienne boursière."
2025
Abstract Background: Studies have shown that youth exiting care are drastically overrepresented in the homelessness population. Few studies, however, have explored the experiences of homelessness of young people after they have exited care using participatory methods. Objective: This study explores youth's experiences during and after their placements in the child welfare system, their experiences with homelessness, and the factors that contributed to vulnerability or resilience. Participants and setting: Eight youth co-researchers were engaged in this study between the ages 18–25 residing in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, with both child welfare and homelessness experience. Method: A Participatory Action Research (PAR) methodology using photovoice was used in this phenomenological study. Session transcripts and photographs were thematically analyzed to identify common themes. Findings: Three thematic categories emerged: (1) protective factors; (2) dual protective and risk factors; (3) risk factors. Six participants were employed while experiencing homelessness. Community apathy was identified as a significant risk factor by most youth co-researchers. Half identified unsuitable foster care placements as contributors to homelessness. All disclosed that their social workers changed frequently and were unsupportive while they were in care and/or during their transition to adulthood. Protective factors included hope, self-care and community supports, including individuals in youth's lives described as “champions” who took an interest in the youth's life and advocated on their behalf. Conclusion: Findings from this study provide a nuanced and youth-centered exploration of both the risk and protective factors that contribute to young people's trajectories from the child welfare system into (and out of) homelessness.
2024
Research report published by the Dalhousie University Resilience Research Center.
2023
Abstract: This report describes a national lived experience advocacy movement generated by the work of the National Council of Youth in Care Advocates to support equitable transitions to adulthood for youth in care in Canada. The emergence of the National Council at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic is presented, as well as the ongoing progress and achievements in advocacy and best practice efforts at the national and local jurisdiction levels. This article, by three members of the National Council, is the first to provide an account of the process associated with national lived experience advocacy mobilization by and for youth in care.
2023
Research report published by McGill University Centre for Research on Children and Families.
2023
Policy Brief published by the Child Welfare League of Canada.
2023
Abstract: This chapter looks into the child welfare system in Canada, which is focused on the child’s safety instead of the welfare of the family and child. Child protection systems have characteristics of mandatory reporting of suspected cases, service eligibility depending on maltreatment investigations, the option of using court orders, and out-of-home care settings. Indigenous children are significantly overrepresented in the child welfare system and children being placed in out-of-home care. The chapter also notes the rise of child welfare services in response to industrialism, capitalism, and urbanization as it sparked social issues like child labor, poverty, and the destitution of families.
2022
Report published by the Child Welfare League of Canada.
2022
Published by the Child Welfare League of Canada.
2022
Picture family life in Canada. Does it include women or girls being murdered, on average, every two and a half days? Or the fact that intimate partner violence counts as nearly one-third of all reports to police? Or that child or elder abuse is more common than you might imagine? Written for students, instructors, practitioners, and advocates in all related fields, this expanded and updated third edition of Cruel But Not Unusual: Violence in Families in Canada offers the latest research, thinking, and strategies to address this hard reality in Canada today. Violence takes many forms inside relationships and families, and the systems charged with responding and helping can actually add to the harm, further isolating and endangering victims. Nowhere is this more evident than in intentionally marginalized communities, such as Indigenous, Black, people of colour, LGBTQI2S+, people with disabilities, and immigrant, refugee, and non-status women. From recommendations on resisting anti-Black state-sanctioned violence, to a call to action on partner abuse within LGBTQI2S+ communities, the book offers bold ideas for moving forward, highlighting the work of researchers and activists from these communities. Using a range of perspectives (feminist, trauma-informed, intersectional, anti-oppression) and including diverse couple and family relationships and settings (foster care, group homes, institutions), the contributors track violence across the life course, addressing the impact on the brain, trauma, coercive control, resilience, disclosing abuse, the MeToo movement, self-care, and providing practical case examples and guidelines for working with children, youth, adults, couples, families, and groups. The result is an authoritative source that offers new insights and approaches to inform understanding, policy, practice, and prevention.
2022
Abstract: Evidence from American and Canadian studies over the last three decades demonstrates that youth exiting foster care are at a much higher risk to face a multiplicity of challenges than their peers who are not in care. These challenges result in negative outcomes, such as high rates of homelessness, under-education, unemployment or under-employment, poverty, mental health issues and post-traumatic stress, substance abuse and early pregnancy or parenthood. This systematic review addresses Independent Living Program (ILP) and Independent Living Services (ILS) studies in the U.S. and Canada published between 2000 and 2018. In order to compile a list of relevant ILP and ILS impact studies, a bibliographic search of six databases was conducted for the peer-reviewed literature, and the grey literature was searched using Google and expert consultation. The search yielded a total of 64 studies after applying our study selection protocol, with 50 from the peer review literature and 14 from the grey literature. The clear majority of studies originated from the U.S., with only three Canadian studies emerging from the grey literature. This is most likely due to differences in mandated data collection and reporting. In the U.S., data collection and reporting is mandatory under the Foster Care Independence Act in 1999. In Canada, there is no such mandatory reporting as child welfare services are under the sole jurisdiction of the provinces, with no Federal government involvement aside from First Nations children and youth. Studies to date suggest that ILP and ILS are not producing the intended outcomes, with limited to no impact demonstrated on youth leaving care wellbeing outcomes. In fact, some of the studies found a negative impact, especially related to social support. Much of the ILP and ILS studies did not incorporate the voices of youth in care, but rather focused on program process and components, staff experiences, and outcome measures such as social support, employment, income, housing and self-sufficiency. Of the limited ILP and ILS studies incorporating youth perspectives, youth in care often indicated that emotional support and mentoring are crucial needs during the transition to adulthood, which are often not the focus of ILP or ILS. Moreover, compared to the U.S., program impact studies in Canada are sorely lacking; more research needs to be done in this area to build our knowledge of evidence-based and best practices. This systematic review highlights two main conclusions: (1) Both the U.S. and Canada sorely need innovation with respect to preparing youth in care for the transition to adulthood; and (2) We also must commit to using rigorous research designs with such programming to determine the impact of such new approaches. In sum, we must reconceptualize our investment in youth in care and focus on their interdependence in order to realize their potential.
2022
Abstract: Child welfare practices and policies are often disconnected from youth in care's perspectives and lived realities. Youth ‘aging out’ of care should be empowered to define their own needs, goals and success based on the unique context they are transitioning from. In research, this can be supported by engaging them as co-researchers through emancipatory approaches. Participatory Action Research (PAR) requires collaboration with those who are affected by the issue being studied in all aspects of the research, with the aim to build advocacy capacity and affect transformative social change. Photovoice employs photography and group dialogue - the fusion of images and words - as an empowerment tool, through which individuals can work together to represent their own lived experiences rather than have their stories told and interpreted by others. This is a particularly powerful approach in engaging youth with care experience, as they are often systemically disenfranchised, isolated and in need of connections to the community. This article presents the Relationships Matter for Youth ‘Aging Out’ of Care project, a Participatory Action Research (PAR) photovoice research project with young people with lived experience, as a case study. The project aimed to take a closer look at the relationships that matter to youth from care and how they can be nurtured over time. Narratives about the experience of participating in the project are also featured, from the perspectives of three of the youth co-researchers. Some of the benefits, challenges and lessons learned are also explored, framed within the Relationships Matter project methodology and process. Recommendations for future social work research are also presented.
2021
Policy Brief published by the Child Welfare League of Canada.
2021
Report published by the Child Welfare League of Canada.
2020
Report published by the Child Welfare League of Canada.
2020
Opinion piece published by Institute for Research on Public Policy (IRPP) Policy Options.
2020
Opinion piece published by The Conversation.
2020
Abstract Objective: Provincial and territorial legislation across Canada mandates child welfare agencies to release youth from their care at the age of majority. Consequently, youth exiting care tend to have limited support networks, mostly comprised of formal and short-term connections. There is a gap in research examining long-term supportive relationships from the perspectives of youth who have 'aged out' of care. Methods: This PAR photovoice project involved 8 former youth in care ages 19 to 29 in Vancouver, B.C. over the course of 12 weeks, and entailed collaborative thematic analysis of the photographs. The lead researcher executed additional analysis following the data collection phase. Results: Relationships to culture, spirituality and the land were identified as important by racialized and Indigenous youth. Animal companions also emerged as an important non-human connection. Key barriers included a lack of culturally matched foster placements and social workers, gentrification, housing restrictions and a narrow definition of family relationships. Key strengthening factors included supportive community organizations and culturally responsive workers. Conclusion and Implications: Findings highlight the importance of including the relationships that matter to youth in care within child welfare decision-making and planning processes, and a need for systemic investment in long-term nurturing of those relationships. Connections that are outside of the traditional social capital framework for young people in care, such as non-human relationships, also need to be valued. By doing so, youth exiting care have a better chance at accumulating social capital and building a support network they can rely on during their transition to adulthood.
2020
Abstract: This report describes the evolution of an independent youth-led organization for youth in and from care in Quebec. The emergence of CARE Jeunesse is presented and compared with two other networks in Canada. Factors that promoted and hindered its development are discussed particularly as they apply to issues outlined in the youth engagement literature. The board of CARE Jeunesse, comprising former youth in care, wrote this article with the participation of a university professor who is an adult ally to the alumni of care movement in Quebec. This report is the first publication that provides an account of the processes associated with developing a youth in care network in Canada.
2020
Abstract: In Canada, youth in government care who have not found a permanent placement are expected to transition to adulthood quite rapidly at the age of 18 or 19. This contrasts with the experience of their peers, who tend to stay at home up until age 29 and remain interdependent on their support networks throughout their adult lives. Due to the cut-off of services, youth exiting care tend to have limited support networks, and most of their connections are formal and short-term. These policies and practices hinder the ability of youth exiting care to build social and human capital to support them during transition to adulthood, despite research indicating that supportive long-term relationships can act as a bridge and buffer during this transition. Research also illustrates that the status quo is not working: most young people are at high risk of experiencing difficulties after ’aging out’ such as homelessness, under-education, unemployment or underemployment, economic hardships, mental health issues, PTSD, substance abuse and early pregnancy or parenthood. There is a lack of understanding on the perspectives of youth who have ’aged out’ of care on long-term supportive relationships during the transition to adulthood, in addition to how to establish and maintain those relationships.This collaborative Participatory Action Research (PAR) photovoice project focused on elevating the voices of eight former youth in care between the ages of 19 and 29 in Vancouver, British Columbia. The research aimed to take a closer look, through the power of images and accompanying captions, at the relationships that matter to youth from care, and how those relationships can be developed and nurtured over time. Photography training and facilitated weekly group discussions were held over the course of 12 weeks. Thematic analysis of the photographs was conducted as a group during the last 3 weeks of the project, and the lead researcher executed additional analysis following the data collection phase. Forty-one key sub-themes emerged from the photographs captured and selected by the youth co-researchers as part of the photo contextualization and analysis process. These sub-themes are divided across three thematic categories: (1) relationships that matter to youth exiting care; (2) barriers to establishing long-term supportive relationships; (3) strengthening factors in establishing long-term supportive relationships. In addition, 34 concrete recommendations for change to child welfare policy and practice were developed by the youth co-researchers, identified across 12 overarching themes. Key findings showcase the need for broadening the definition of family relationships to include parent-like mentors and animal companions. Connections to spirituality, culture and the land were also identified as important, especially for racialized and Indigenous youth. Most expressed a need for preserving and maintaining sibling relationships while in care, as siblings often get separated and the relationship becomes damaged over time. A lack of trauma-informed practices was identified as a main barrier in establishing supportive long-term relationships with caregivers and front line workers. Findings highlight the importance of including the relationships that matter to youth in care within child welfare decision-making and planning processes, and a need for systemic investment in long-term nurturing of those relationships. This requires an exiting care paradigm shift from one that is focused on independent living to one of interdependent living. Connections that are outside of the traditional social capital framework for young people in care, such as non-human relationships, also need to be valued. By including those key relationships in decision-making and planning processes, youth exiting care have a better chance at building a social support network they can rely on during their transition to adulthood.
2018
Report published by the B.C. Representative for Children & Youth.
2018
Opinion piece published by Institute for Research on Public Policy (IRPP) Policy Options.
2017
Opinion piece published by Institute for Research on Public Policy (IRPP) Policy Options.
2016
Opinion piece published by the Vancouver Sun.
2023
Recipients of the Erminie Cohen Compassion Award are chosen based on their outstanding contribution to the welfare and well-being of children, youth, and/or families in New Brunswick as well as their ability to inspire and be a catalyst or mentor for the engagement of others.
2019
Finalist. The Award is part of the Foundation’s Stand Up for Kids national campaign for child welfare mobilizing Canadians who want to help change the future for the country’s most at-risk children and youth. The award amount is donated to a charitable organization of the finalist's choice (Head & Hands, for the Montreal Youth in Care Alumni Association).
2019
Top 25 finalist. SSHRC’s annual Storytellers contest challenges postsecondary students from across the country to tell the story - in three minutes or in 300 words - of how SSHRC-funded research is making a difference in the lives of Canadians.
2025
Beyond Binaries podcast, Season 3, episode 16.
2024
Photo exhibit at the Halifax Public Library.
2024
Expert witness for the Standing Senate Committee on Human Rights, October 21, 2024, Ottawa, ON.
2024
Radio-Canada Acadie, le 20 novembre, 2024.
2024
CBC News New Brunswick, October 27, 2024.
2024
On The Way Home Podcast, February 22, 2024.
2024
Halifax Examiner, January 11, 2024.
2024
Photo e-book
2023
The Telegraph Journal, November 13, 2023.
2023
The Tyee, February 10, 2023.
2023
Project video
2023
Artistic submissions e-book
2021
Vancouver Sun, October 14, 2021.
2021
IndigiNews, October 8, 2021.
2021
CBC News Manitoba, October 6, 2021.
2021
CBC News New Brunswick, March 29, 2021.
2021
The Globe and Mail, March 10, 2021.
2021
Radio-Canada, Ici Toronto, L’heure de pointe Toronto/Windsor avec Alison Vicrobeck, le 3 mars, 2021.
2020
Commission Laurent hearings, Wednesday January 8, 2020. Montreal, QC: Commission Laurent.
2020
CTV News, Politics, by Jordan Press, December 17, 2020
2020
Journal Métro, 24 mars 2020.
2020
Journal Métro, January 10, 2020.
2020
Montreal Gazette, January 8, 2020.
2019
Photo Exhibit at the 2019 Symposium on Child and Youth Trauma, Montreal, QC.
2019
Photo exhibit at the 2019 Canadian Association for Social Work Education Conference, Vancouver, B.C.
2019
Discussions on Child & Youth Care (CYC) Podcast, November 27, 2019.
2019
Discussions on Child & Youth Care (CYC) Podcast, October 30, 2019.
2019
CBC Radio One, The Sunday Edition with Connie Walker, September 1, 2019.
2019
Interview with Letitia Henville for the Literary Review of Canada article, August 22, 2019.
2018
Tyee article, December 13, 2018
2018
Project video
2018
Photo e-book
2018
Talk presented at the annual Children's Aid Foundation of Canada's Five14 Talks, May 12, 2018. Toronto, ON: Children's Aid Foundation of Canada.
2017
Photo exhibit at the Roundhouse Community Arts & Recreation Centre, Vancouver, B.C.
2017
Radio Canada Vancouver Phare Ouest, December 18, 2017