Caregiver guide · Young carers
Young Carer Navigator
Resources, educational flexibility, and financial supports for youth and young adults caring for family.
If you help a parent, sibling, grandparent, or other relative with health, disability, or daily needs, you are not alone. This guide organizes school, money, peer support, and mental health resources so you can find help without guessing where to start.
Programs vary by age, province, and whether you are still in school or post-secondary. Start with the three-step checklist, then open the sections that match your situation.
Where to start (three steps)
You do not need every resource at once. These steps help most young carers stabilize school, money, and support in a sensible order.
1. Tell a trusted adult at school or college
Ask a teacher, guidance counsellor, accessibility office, or residence staff about accommodations when caregiving affects attendance, focus, or deadlines.
2. Map peer support and respite programs
Connect with Powerhouse, Young Caregivers Connect, or provincial young carer hubs for groups, coaching, and activities that give you time to breathe.
3. Check bursaries and crisis lines
Review student aid and young carer bursaries for your province, and save 24/7 lines like Kids Help Phone, Hope for Wellness, and 988 for hard days.
School and Academic Accommodations
Canadian schools and colleges can adjust deadlines, attendance expectations, and access to counselling when family caregiving affects your learning.
Talk with your school about caregiving impacts
Public health guidance encourages schools to support students facing family illness or disability. Bring a short note about how caregiving affects your schedule.
Ontario individualized education plans
In Ontario, an IEP can document accommodations when caregiving or related stress affects learning. Other provinces use similar learning plans under different names.
Bursaries and Financial Assistance
Young carers may qualify for charitable bursaries, provincial student aid, and emergency funds tied to caregiving or low household income.
Young Caregivers Association programs
Canada's leading young caregiver charity publishes bursary and program information for ages 5 to 25 alongside Powerhouse peer support.
Federal and provincial student aid
Canada.ca links to grants, loans, and disability supports for post-secondary students. Some provinces add caregiver-specific bursaries on top of base aid.
Respite, Peer Support, and Young Carer Programs
Non-profit hubs run groups, recreation, and navigation so young carers can connect with peers who understand the role.
Powerhouse (Young Caregivers Association)
National charity programming with peer connection, skills building, and clinical services for young people ages 5 to 25 supporting a family member.
Young Caregivers Connect
Online forums and peer navigation operated by the Ontario Caregiver Organization. Helpline: 1-833-416-2273 (CARE).
Mental Health and Crisis Support
Caring for someone while growing up can be isolating. These lines are free, confidential, and available when you need to talk right away.
Kids Help Phone
24/7 counselling by phone, text, or chat for young people in Canada. Call 1-800-668-6868 or text CONNECT to 686868.
Hope for Wellness Helpline
24/7 culturally grounded counselling for Indigenous peoples in Canada. Call or chat at 1-855-242-3310.
988 Suicide Crisis Helpline
Free, 24/7 support by call or text at 988 when you or someone you care about is in crisis.