If you're 17 and in care, or you just turned 18, people may be throwing around words like "s. 50.1" and "AYA" as if you should already know what they mean. You shouldn't have to guess.
This is a plain-words guide to leaving care in Manitoba. It's for you, and for the workers and people in your corner.
The short version: turning 18 doesn't have to mean your support stops. But it isn't automatic either. Here's how it works right now.
What happens when you leave care in Manitoba at 18?
In Manitoba, a CFS agency's guardianship ends at 18. Since June 1, 2026, section 50.1 of The Child and Family Services Act lets an agency, with the director's written approval, keep supporting a young adult if one of six care arrangements applied the day before their 18th birthday. That written agreement is usually called an AYA. How long support lasts varies by agency and agreement.
- The six arrangements: kinship care, customary care, voluntary care, voluntary surrender of guardianship, temporary guardianship, permanent guardianship (s. 50.1).
- It's a "may", not a guarantee. Your agency decides.
- New Steps Independent Living Program (ILP) in Winnipeg works with young people 16 to 21 who are involved with CFS. An AYA isn't required, but a caseworker or agency is, because placements are funded and approved through your agency. No cost to you. Call 431-444-2114. See who can join.
What section 50.1 says, in plain words
"s. 50.1" is short for section 50.1 of The Child and Family Services Act. That's the Manitoba law CFS agencies work under. Section 50.1 is new. It came into force on June 1, 2026.
First, what happens at 18. Section 50(1) says: "The guardianship of the director or an agency terminates when a ward marries or attains the age of majority." In everyday words: when you turn 18, the agency stops being your legal guardian.
Section 50.1 is what can come next. It says the director, "or an agency with the written approval of the director, may continue to provide care and maintenance to the young adult." The point, in the law's words, is "assisting a young adult with the transition to independence."
Who it covers. Support after 18 is possible if one of these applied on the day before your 18th birthday:
- You were getting care under a kinship care agreement.
- You were getting care under a customary care agreement.
- You were getting care under a voluntary care agreement.
- You were getting care under a voluntary surrender of guardianship agreement.
- An agency was your temporary guardian.
- An agency was your permanent guardian.
Not sure which one was on your file? Ask your worker. It's a fair question.
What "may" means. The law says an agency may keep supporting you. It doesn't say it must. The agency also needs the director's written approval. So this is a real option, not a promise.
What changed. The same law that added s. 50.1 also repealed the old s. 50(2). The government's note on the change says eligibility "is expanded to include young adults under 21 years of age who received care through additional arrangements." If someone once told you support after 18 is only for permanent wards, that's what some older pages still say. The law now lists six arrangements. It's worth asking again.
Workers: referral detail for ages 18 to 21 under s. 50.1 is on our post-majority support page.
What an AYA is, and why you won't find the word in the Act
AYA stands for Agreement with Young Adults. It's what the CFS Standards Manual and Manitoba agencies usually call the written agreement that keeps support going after 18. You might also hear it called an "extension of care."
Here's the odd part. The Act never uses the word "AYA." It says "care and maintenance." Same idea, different words. So if you search the law for "AYA", you won't find it.
That doesn't mean AYAs aren't real. It's the word the system uses. The Métis Child and Family Services Authority, for example, lists "Agreements with young adults (AYAs)" among its functions.
So what does an AYA look like? The 2022 manual says a written plan is made that covers how long the agreement lasts, your goals, and how often you and your case manager will be in touch. The last step, in the manual's words: "Both parties then sign the contract."
That means you sign it too. It's your agreement, not just paperwork about you.
The manual is also clear about this: "Young adults 18 years and older are not in care." An AYA is support you agree to, with a plan you've signed.
The manual hasn't caught up with the law yet
The CFS Standards Manual is the rulebook agencies use day to day. Its page on AYAs (section 1.1.8) was approved on June 30, 2022. That's four years before s. 50.1.
So that page still says an agreement "is offered to a youth who is under a permanent order at the time they turn 18 years of age." It also still points to "Section 50(2)" of the Act. That section was repealed on June 1, 2026.
In other words, the manual is behind the law. The Act now lists six arrangements, not only permanent orders. If someone tells you that you have to be a permanent ward to get an AYA, you can point to s. 50.1 and ask them to check the current law.
You may see the same older idea in other places. The Manitoba Advocate for Children and Youth's Words you might hear page says extension of care "applies to permanent wards only." That doesn't match s. 50.1.
You may also have heard about October 1, 2026. The manual says "the four new agreement standards" are interim and "will expire on October 1st, 2026" (section 1.2.7). Those are the family support, kinship, customary and voluntary care agreement standards. That date has now passed, and as of October 12, 2026 the manual page still shows that wording. The manual doesn't say that about AYAs. Agencies are meant to work with their Nations and rights holders on their own standards, so ask your worker what applies to you now. We wrote more in Manitoba CFS agreement standards expire in 2026.
Planning should start at 15
The manual's page on leaving care (section 1.1.7) is from 2022 too. This part is simple. It says: "The case manager is responsible for ensuring that all youth in care, regardless of legal status, at the age of 15, have a detailed transition plan with a view to them leaving care."
In plain words: by 15, you should have a real plan for leaving care. Not only if you're a permanent ward. No matter what your legal status is.
That plan is meant to build the skills you'll need for adult living. The manual also lists working toward an Agreement with Young Adults that "reflects the cultural background identified by the youth." And it says: "All transition plans must include evidence of consultation with the youth."
That means you're supposed to be part of the conversation, not just told about it.
If you're 15 or older and nobody has talked with you about a plan, ask your worker. You're not being pushy. It's in their standards.
One more thing about timing. The 2022 manual says an AYA request goes for approval "a minimum of three months prior to the agreement coming into effect." Ask your worker whether that timing still applies now. Either way, starting early helps.
What an AYA can cover
The 2022 manual lists what an agreement may support:
- "education goals"
- "transition to adult services"
- "transition to independent living"
- "training"
- "treatment programming"
- "other services that will provide an opportunity for the young adult to be safe, achieve success and well-being including culturally appropriate services that recognize and support their background"
Before you sit down with your worker, think about which of these fit you. Your goals are what go into the written plan.
If your agency says no
The 2022 manual describes a letter explaining the reasons and an appeal process when an agency chooses not to offer an agreement. That page was written before s. 50.1, and we don't know whether that process has been updated since.
So if you hear no, ask your worker what applies now:
- Can I get the reason in writing?
- Is there a way to ask for a review or appeal, and how does it work?
- Who makes the decision?
A no on an AYA doesn't close every door. You can still call us.
Where New Steps fits
New Steps is one Independent Living Program in Winnipeg for young people 16 to 21.
We're not the agency that grants an AYA. Your CFS agency decides that. You don't need an AYA to live here, but you do need to be involved with CFS, because placements are funded and approved through your agency. Anyone can reach out to us, including you, your worker or your family. The next step is a joint call with you and your worker.
Here's what it looks like:
- The usual path is your own furnished apartment, when a place opens up.
- Placement is by need, not age.
- 24/7 support and assistance.
- There is no cost to you or your family.
- Joint call, then a tour. When a place opens up, moving in can take about a week at the fastest.
- Your progress, safety and needs are shared with your caseworker and placing agency as part of the placement.
- It's not same-day, and it's not a crisis service. If you're in danger, call 911, and see Get Help.
Young people: start at Get Help. Workers: start at Professionals or the post-majority support page. Or call 431-444-2114.
Workers: the step-by-step referral process is here. For more background, read our earlier post on aging out of care in Manitoba.
Questions young people ask
Can I stay in care after 18 in Manitoba?
Not in care, exactly. At 18, agency guardianship ends. But since June 1, 2026, s. 50.1 lets an agency, with the director's written approval, keep supporting you if one of six care arrangements applied the day before you turned 18. How long varies by agency and agreement. It's possible, not guaranteed.
Do I have to be a permanent ward to get an AYA?
Not under the current law. Section 50.1 lists six arrangements: kinship care, customary care, voluntary care, voluntary surrender of guardianship, temporary guardianship and permanent guardianship. Some older pages, including the 2022 manual, still say permanent order only. The Act changed on June 1, 2026.
What is an AYA in Manitoba?
AYA means Agreement with Young Adults. It's what agencies and the CFS manual call the written agreement that keeps support going after 18. The Act itself says "care and maintenance." The 2022 manual describes a written plan with goals, a length and contact, signed by you and the agency.
When should my leaving-care plan start?
At 15. Manitoba's CFS Standards Manual says all youth in care, regardless of legal status, should have a detailed transition plan by 15, and that you should be consulted on it. If you're 15 or older and haven't seen yours, ask your worker.
Do I need an AYA to join New Steps?
No, but you do need to be involved with CFS. New Steps Independent Living Program in Winnipeg works with young people 16 to 21 who have a caseworker or agency, because placements are funded and approved through the agency. We don't grant AYAs. There's no cost to you. Call 431-444-2114.
One last thing
Leaving care is a lot, and you don't have to sort it out alone. If a place of your own would help, New Steps is an Independent Living Program in Winnipeg: your own apartment when a place opens up, with 24/7 support and assistance. Call us at 431-444-2114. We'll talk it through with you.
Sources
- The Child and Family Services Act, C.C.S.M. c. C80 (current consolidation, in effect since June 1, 2026): s. 50(1), s. 50(2) [Repealed], s. 50.1
- The Child and Family Services Amendment Act, S.M. 2026, c. 29 (assented to June 1, 2026) and Bill 36
- CFS Standards Manual 1.1.7, Preparing Youth for Leaving Care (approved 2022/06/30)
- CFS Standards Manual 1.1.8, Agreements with Young Adults (Extensions of Care) (approved 2022/06/30)
- CFS Standards Manual 1.2.7, Kinship Care Agreements (approved 2025/10/01)
- Métis Child and Family Services Authority, Who we are
- Manitoba Advocate for Children and Youth, Words you might hear
