Young people in society column

Provided by the Professional Order of Social Workers of Québec (Ordre professionnel des travailleurs sociaux du Québec), these articles are intended to help you deal with everyday life. They could also help you help a friend!

Come back to read it!

I know what the DYP is!

by Nicole Turmel, Social Worker

Adults are responsible for the safety of their children. If someone finds out a child is being mistreated in his or her surroundings, they must inform the Department of Youth Protection (DYP) so someone can come to the aid of the child.

Most of the time, it is a social worker who comes to help children and their families find a solution to their problems.

The DYP is there to protect you and your friends against every kind of abuse. How? By giving parents and children advice on how to solve their problems so they can find happiness again.

Sometimes, when the problem is too big or takes too long to resolve, the social worker can decide to place the child in the care of other parents for a period of time. This is called a foster home.

Other times, when people just can't see eye to eye, a judge from the Youth Court can have a look at the situation and decide what would be the best way to resolve the problem.

Whether the person who needs help is you or a friend, you can always call the youth centre in your area, and someone will take the time to listen and help. Promise!

There's a youth centre (centre jeunesse) in every region of Quebec, and you can find the number of the one in your area in your local phone book.

To find out more, visit the following Websites: www.acjq.qc.ca (in French only) or www.cdpdj.qc.ca/en/home.asp.