Crown ward

A ward of the state, also known as a Crown ward, is a term used in Canada to describe a foster child who has been made the legal responsibility of the government. The Children's Aid Society (Canada) or a court can make a child a Crown ward if the child cannot be reunited with his or her natural family. If the child has been considered a Crown ward, the child will be adopted by a family with the same status and rights as if the child was born in the family, or remain in foster care or a group home until they opt to leave at age 16 or become of age. When the ward reaches 18 (and under 'special consideration', 16) they qualify for Extended Care and Maintenance (ECM) which covers the child's basic needs and expenses while they continue their schooling until they reach the age of 21, at which point all ties are severed between the child and the 'responsibility' of the government. If however, the lifestyle of the ward breaches the contract they are expected sign (without legal representation of their own) in the presence of the social worker, who is presumably at the time looking out for the best interests of the child, their assistance is then severed immediately, provided the child is at the time, over the age of 16 (which they are if they qualified for ECM to begin with).

External links

• Ontario Association of Children's Aid Societies
• NFB documentary Wards of the Crown
• Life in Foster Care is Like a Subway Ride