The Aftercare Benefits Initiative (ABI) is a comprehensive health and dental benefits program for former youth in care. The program provides a broad range of benefit coverage, including prescription drug, dental, vision, extended health benefits, counselling, and life skills support services. Launched on July 31, 2014, ABI is administered by OACAS and is funded by the Ontario Ministry of Children
and Youth Services. Green Shield Canada provides the health and dental benefits and Shepell offers the counselling and life skills supports. Eligible youth are former Crown wards or youth who were eligible to receive Continued Care and Support for Youth (CCSY) or Extended Care and Maintenance (ECM) and are between 21 and 25 years of age. This includes youth who:
•had Crown ward status that expired at age 18;
•were subject to a protection (formal) customary care agreement or a protection custody order at age 18; or
•were eligible for support under the Renewed Youth Support (RYS) program. Youth eligible for coverage under another health plan (e.g. a plan provided by an employer, spouse, or university/college) are not eligible. Youth attending college or university may apply for ABI if they choose to opt out of their school health benefit plan. Full benefit details and application rules are available at www.oacas/org/abi.
