Building Safer Communities
Below is a listing of the 2023-24 programs and services connected to the theme Building Safer Communities. A complete description of Saskatchewan’s Children and Youth Strategy is found in the Executive Summary.
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1. Prevention and Intervention
| Program/Initiative | Purpose | Partners |
| Be Kind Online | Government funding provides youth access to Be Kind Online grants that encourage youth to make positive change in their schools and communities. The Be Kind Online website provides resources to students, teachers, families and community members. |
Ministry of Education and SaskTel |
| Child Abuse Prevention Education | In 2017, the Ministry of Education released a policy statement on Child Abuse Prevention Education and Response (CAPER) encouraging school divisions to create policies and administrative procedures to mandate the teaching of child abuse prevention education for all students. | Ministry of Education, school divisions |
| Children Exposed to Violence | This program assists children and youth who have been exposed to interpersonal violence and abuse, with a goal of preventing children from becoming victims or perpetrators of violence and abuse in the future. | Justice ministries, Catholic Family Services of the Battlefords, Prince Albert and Saskatoon, Envision Counselling and Support Centre, Family Services Saskatoon, Moose Jaw Women’s Transition Association, Saskatchewan Health Authority, YWCA of Regina, Navera Community Connections, Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation, Onion Lake Cree Nation, Athabasca Health Authority |
| Community Initiatives Fund (CIF) | CIF makes effective investments in community-based projects and programs that contribute to the healthy growth and development of children and youth, individual and community well-being, as well as developing leadership capacity throughout the province. | Community Initiatives Fund, Saskatchewan Gaming Corporation and Ministry of Parks, Culture and Sport |
| Community Intervention Model (CIM) | Part of the Gang Violence Reduction Strategy. Supports exiting individuals who are gang-affiliated between the ages of 15-30 and assessed to be at a high risk to re-offend. CIM provides three phases of services, with the ultimate goal of individuals being able to remain out of gangs. | Justice ministries, STR8 Up |
| Community Safety and Well-Being Planning | Provincial planning table supporting community safety and well-being planning at the community level. It supports collaboration and information sharing across municipal, provincial, First Nation and federal governments. By working together to better understand the needs of citizens and assess assets and gaps, communities are working to build a strong start for children. | Justice ministries, ministries of Social Services, Government Relations and Education |
| Community Threat Assessment Protocols (CTAP) and Violent Threat Risk Assessment (VTRA) | A CTAP is a protocol developed collaboratively between a school division and community partners that outlines a comprehensive and multidisciplinary response to assessing threat-making behaviours and provides a commitment to the appropriate and timely sharing of information and the development of intervention and support plans. CTAPs are based on the North American Centre for Threat Assessment and Trauma Response’s Model of Violence Threat Risk Assessment (VTRA). |
Ministries of Education, Corrections, Policing and Public Safety, Social Services, school divisions, Saskatchewan Health Authority, community partners |
| Family Services Saskatchewan | Walk in counselling clinics are available in 31 communities across the province through Family Services Saskatchewan. Single-session, solution-focused services support the continuum of mental health and addiction service and assist individuals in developing skills to manage their symptoms/issues. | Ministry of Health, Saskatchewan Health Authority, Family Services Saskatchewan |
| Family Violence Intervention Programs | Provide services and support to women, men and families living in violent or potentially violent circumstances. Services offered include clinical counselling, crisis response and intervention, in-home visits, drop-in and registered group programming, individual case planning, safety planning, community awareness and presentations. | Justice ministries and community support services |
| Home Fires Family Youth (HF2Y) | Targets at-risk Indigenous children/youth and their parents/caregivers. | Justice ministries, Indigenous Christian Fellowship, Circles of Life, Circle Project, Community Safety and Rehabilitative Services, Community Police Services Centre |
| Hub Tables | These tables bring together a variety of partners to provide wrap around supports and shared outreach to children and families. There are currently 14 Hub Tables (serving 15 communities) operating throughout Saskatchewan. |
Justice ministries, Ministry of Social Services, Saskatchewan Health Authority, school divisions, police services, community-based organizations, tribal councils |
| Indigenous Family Violence Program | Culturally appropriate, community-based programs that help Indigenous families, living in urban centres, deal with various forms of abuse/violence. It offers a more comprehensive and holistic service to address the issue of family violence in co-operation with other agencies working in the family violence area. | Justice ministries, Circle Project Association, Kanaweyimik Child and Family Services, Prince Albert Grand Council Holdings, Prince Albert Indian Métis Friendship Centre Corp., Saskatoon Indian Métis Friendship Centre Inc., Society for the Involvement of Good Neighbours (SIGN) |
| Internet Child Exploitation (ICE) | An integrated policing unit charged with investigating and apprehending perpetrators of child sexual exploitation. The unit’s mandate is to reduce the vulnerability of children to internet facilitated sexual exploitation by identifying victimized children and investigating and assisting in the prosecution of sexual offenders. | Ministry of Corrections, Policing and Public Safety, RCMP, municipal police forces |
| Kids Help Phone | Kids Help Phone provides e-mental health services which are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, via phone, text, website and Facebook as well as a Resources Around Me database to provide children and youth with the opportunity to search for resources in the local community, including counsellor and mental health support. | Ministry of Education, Kids Help Phone |
| Northern Alcohol Strategy (NAS) | Empowers and inspires communities to have important conversations about the unhealthy uses of alcohol. The NAS promotes community collaboration while using evidence and healing-centred approaches in order to reduce alcohol-related harms. The strategy is empowering communities and community members, including youth, to reduce alcohol related harms. | Ministries of Correction, Policing and Public Safety and Health, Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority, Saskatchewan Government Insurance, Saskatchewan Health Authority, federal government partners and the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Saskatchewan |
| Pathways Program – Scott Collegiate High School | Pathways provide learning experiences tailored to student interests and strengths. Individualized learning plans are established consisting of dual credit offerings, certifications, work experience or leadership training that relate to post high school plans. Wicihtowin (Cree: “to help mutually”) teachers guide students to build a personalized experience centred around the student’s interests. | Ministry of Corrections, Policing and Public Safety, Regina School Division No. 4 |
| Police and Crisis Team (PACT) | PACT consists of mental health specialists and police officers responding to calls where an individual may have a mental health and/or addiction concerns and requires immediate assistance but does not require a standard police response. This team improves public and personal safety by providing collaborative and effective crisis intervention. When triaged PACT recipients are referred to the appropriate level of service. While not targeted for children and youth, PACT could have interactions with children and youth. | Ministries of Health and Corrections, Policing and Public Safety, RCMP, municipal police services, Saskatchewan Health Authority, Saskatoon Crisis Intervention Services |
| Police-based Victim Services | Provide crisis intervention, information, support, advocacy and referral as well as court related services immediately following a crime and throughout the criminal justice process to minimize revictimization through involvement in the criminal justice system. | Justice ministries, community victim services, police services |
| Post-Secondary Institution Sexual Assault Policy | Post-secondary education institutions have created a stand-alone policy on sexual assault. | Ministry of Advanced Education and post-education institutions |
| Public Libraries | The over 300 public library locations in the province provide both wired and wireless access to all residents to the Internet on a secured network. This service provides a safe space for youth and adults to access information and services online including access to government services. The Ministry of Education provides access to the Internet at all public library locations in Saskatchewan through a secured network called CommunityNet. | Ministry of Education, public libraries |
| Saskatchewan Child Abuse Protocol 2019 | The Saskatchewan Child Abuse Protocol (the Protocol) demonstrates a commitment by the Government of Saskatchewan and Police Services to ensure that all efforts to protect children from abuse and neglect are integrated, effective and sensitive to the needs of children. To achieve this goal, all professionals will support the Government of Saskatchewan and Police Services to enable them to prevent, detect, report, investigate and prosecute cases of child abuse and support children who have been abused. | Ministry of Social Services, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Corrections and Policing, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Government Relations, Ministry of Parks, Culture and Sport, and the Saskatchewan Association of Chiefs of Police |
| Saskatchewan Prevention Institute | Increasing awareness and encouraging behaviour changes among youth about risk-taking behaviour involving alcohol use, sexual activity, pregnancy and Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder. | Ministries of Health and Social Services, Saskatchewan Prevention Institute |
| Saskatoon Restorative Action Program (RAP) | Saskatoon RAP uses restorative justice approaches to work with youth to develop and practice conflict management, relationship management and leadership skills in 11 Saskatoon high schools. | Ministries of Education and Justice |
| Sask Lotteries Funded Programs | These programs initiate and sustain the participation of children and youth in new or existing arts, sports, cultural and recreational activities that advance their life skills, enhance their sense of belonging, and foster pride in their accomplishments and leadership skills. Over 12,000 sport, culture, recreation and community organizations benefit through grant funding or other programs and services. | Ministry of Parks, Culture and Sport, Sport Canada, Sask Sport, SaskCulture, Saskatchewan Parks and Recreation Association (SPRA) |
| Sask Sport Resource Line | A confidential, anonymous resource phone line intended to assist coaches, athletes and parents in determining the most appropriate course of action for issues of concern or maltreatment in sport. | Ministry of Parks, Culture and Sport, Sask Sport |
| Sexual Violence Services | Services for children and youth who have experienced sexual abuse. | Justice ministries, Prince Albert Mobile Crisis, Society for the Involvement of Good Neighbours, South West Crisis Services, community sexual assault centres |
| The Regina Intersectoral Partnership (TRiP) | A two-component, multi-sector collaborative risk driven initiative designed to improve community safety and well-being in Regina. The goal is to make appropriate connections and referrals for children to optimize their health, safety and development through improved communication and collaboration among service providers. | Ministries of Social Services, Corrections, Policy and Public Safety, Saskatchewan Health Authority, Regina Public and Catholic school boards and Regina Police Service |
| Tobacco and Youth Smoking/Vaping | Action taken to decrease vaping in youth to include: prohibiting the sale of vapour products to anyone under the age of 18; prohibiting vaping in enclosed public places and in vehicles with anyone under the age of 16; limiting where vapour products can be sold; restricting advertising and promotion of vapour products; restricting the sale of most flavoured vapour products to age-restricted specialty vape shops; vaping-related resources are available for free for Saskatchewan teachers and students; the provincial youth test shopper program helps to ensure compliance with restrictions on sale of tobacco and vapour products to youth under 18 years of age and tobacco and vapour product sales are prohibited at many locations that youth visit including schools, arcades, theatres, and amusement parks; smoking, vaping and tobacco cessation services are available for Saskatchewan residents. | Saskatchewan Health Authority, Lung Association Saskatchewan and Ministry of Health |
| Victims Compensation Program | Provides payments for reasonable expenses resulting from criminal acts of personal violence including up to $5,000 for counselling for children exposed to domestic violence. | Justice ministries, police-based victim services agencies |
| Victim Services Responder Program | Provides information, support and referrals from the first interview throughout the criminal justice and/or child protection process to the closure of the case to minimize trauma to child victims and their families. | Justice ministries, Ministry of Social Services, Regina and Saskatoon Police-Based Victim |
| Services Units | Victim/Witness Services Provides court orientation and support for child witnesses and other vulnerable victims/witnesses to help reduce fear, anxiety and further trauma through testifying. | Justice ministries, Public Prosecutions and Police-Based Victim Services Programs |
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2. Community and Facility-Based Justice
| Program/Initiative | Purpose | Partners |
| Chaplaincy in Youth Custody Facilities | A chaplain attends facilities on a regular basis (will attend for special needs) and facilitates residents accessing opportunities for worship and bible teachings, provides support for youth who are facing personal/emotional issues, loss and grief counselling, mentoring, conflict resolution and education on trauma in both individual meetings and in group setting. | Ministry of Corrections, Policing and Public Safety |
| Community Connections Programs | Provide and support sustainable connections for sentenced youth and young adults (12-24 years) to rejoin their communities with supports such as case management and access to services that help address their unique risk factors. | Justice ministries |
| Community Justice (Alternative Measures and Extrajudicial Sanctions Programs) | Using restorative justice principles, offenders are held accountable for their actions, while providing victims, communities, and offenders with the opportunity to address individualized needs in a meaningful way. | Justice ministries, First Nations, Tribal Councils and community partners |
| Courage to Change (C2C) | Program involves case managers engaging one-on-one with youth using interactive journals designed to target risk factors that contribute to criminal behaviour, such as substance abuse and pro-criminal thinking. This program will be expanding for youth involved with Community Corrections beginning with a pilot in 2023/24. | Ministry of Corrections, Policing and Public Safety |
| Culture Camp | Through cultural experiences, such as horse teachings, sweat lodge ceremonies, sharing circles, sobriety storytelling, traditional song teachings, nature hikes, and guest speakers, youth in custody can experience a culture camp to reach the goal of reducing returns to custody. | Justice ministries |
| Decision Points | An evidence-informed correctional program developed to address risk, needs and responsivity by targeting anti-social thoughts and skill deficits through an interactive cognitive-behavioural approach. It is developed for flexible delivery across settings and available time with open entry/exit options and is constructed of five comprehensive learner-centred lessons fostering continuous delivery in both custody and community supervision settings. | Ministry of Corrections, Policing and Public Safety |
| First Nations and Métis Programs in Youth Custody Facilities | A full-time cultural coordinator provides ongoing cultural events. Dedicated Elders provide programming for youth as well as provide one-on-one support for youth experiencing personal/emotional difficulties. | Ministry of Corrections, Policing and Public Safety |
| Health Services in Youth Custody Facilities | The nursing program provides health assessments on admission, mental health collaboration, medication oversight, training, harm reduction and sexual education, collaboration with doctors and pharmacists, and daily health care of the youth. | Ministry of Corrections, Policing and Public Safety |
| Helping Children Thrive | Facility case managers engage one-on-one with remanded youth using interactive journals designed to learn about themselves and develop skills which will contribute to a healthy lifestyle. | Ministry of Corrections, Policing and Public Safety |
| High Risk Violent Offender Initiative | Provides cognitive behavioural interventions which are associated with reductions in anti-social behaviour. Cognitive behavioural interventions help youth understand their thoughts and feelings, influence their behaviours, and by influencing their own thoughts they can help to change negative behaviours. | Saskatchewan Health Authority |
| Integrated Classroom Initiative | A partnership in Regina that supports effective transitions for youth from custody back to the community by providing an integrated classroom in the community that will serve as a transitional learning space until a permanent school placement is found. While participating, youth are connected to services and supports in the community. | Ministries of Education, Corrections, Policing and Public Safety, Saskatchewan Health Authority, Regina Work Prep, the Regina Public and Separate school divisions, and the John Howard Society |
| Intensive Rehabilitative Custody and Supervision | Meets mandatory requirements of the Youth Criminal Justice Act through the provision of mental health alcohol, drug assessments and conferences and provides services related to Intensive Rehabilitative Custody and Supervision orders. A young offender team with social workers and a psychologist provide group therapies, individual counselling and transitional support for youth and families. | Ministries of Corrections, Policing and Public Safety, Health, Saskatchewan Health Authority |
| Keep it Direct and Simple | A program of ten skill-based interactive journals for youth with behavioural and addictions issues covering topics such as: why am I here, substance use, 12-step program, feelings, family, relationships, and communication, how we think, how we change, values and skills for moving forward. | Ministry of Corrections, Policing and Public Safety |
| Saskatchewan Youth in Care and Custody Network (SYICCN) | The SYICCN is a non-profit organization that advocates and supports youth, aged 14-24, in or from foster care/young offender systems. Located in Regina, the SYICCN is mandated to help set up local 'networks' throughout Saskatchewan and develop strategies that empower youth in and from the system. | Ministry of Social Services |
| School-based Restorative Justice | School-based restorative justice programs help young people resolve conflicts, develop leadership abilities, build positive relationships, enhance their academic skills, provide supports to students during school year, and hold activities. | Justice ministries, Yorkton Tribal Council, Pinehouse Wellness Centre, Saskatoon Restorative Action Program |
| Thinking for a Change (T4C) | An evidence based cognitive behavioural correctional program focused on facilitating problem-solving skills, social skills and cognitive restructuring. | Ministry of Corrections, Policing and Public Safety |
| VOICES | Four interactive journaling modules in one workbook. The program is designed to assist female youth in exploring themes of self, connection with others, healthy living and preparing for their journeys ahead. | Ministry of Corrections, Policing and Public Safety |
| Youth CARE Program | Provides opportunities to make positive, healthy choices (and reduce/prevent crime) through community options and supports. Services include mentorship/role modelling, problem solving, advocacy, referrals to community resources, and specialized supports for youth exposed to vulnerable circumstances. | Justice ministries, Rainbow Youth Centre |
| Youth in Care | Ranch Ehrlo and Eagles Nest Youth Ranch The Ministry of Education provides funding to two organizations, Ranch Ehrlo and Eagles Nest Youth Ranch, to provide educational services to youth who are students of the province and placed with these approved residential treatment organizations by the Ministry of Social Services. The students placed in these facilities have assessed needs that cannot be met in the regular school system. | Ministry of Education, Ranch Ehrlo and Eagles Nest Youth Ranch |
| Youth Victim Restitution | This program provides young offenders with access to income-generating opportunities in the community with the goal of compensating victims for loss or damage. | Justice ministries, Prince Albert Métis Women’s Association, Territorial Drive Alliance Church, Saskatoon Indian Métis Friendship Centre, Regina Treaty/Status Indian Services |
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3. Crisis and Transitions
| Program/Initiative | Purpose | Partners |
| CHAZ Court | Designed for young singles transitioning from care to independent living. It provides tenants with property management services, tenant relations and opportunities to learn new skills related to independent living. Tenants also have support persons in place to assist them with the transition to independent living. | Ministry of Social Services, Saskatchewan Housing Corporation and Ranch Ehrlo |
| Crisis and After Hour Service | After hours emergency child protection or financial assistance to ensure the personal safety of children, individuals and families from abuse, neglect or personal crisis situations. | Ministry of Social Services contracts with Mobile Crisis to provide after hours services |
| Downtown Browne’s Shelter | Emergency youth shelter for ages 16-18 provides short term, supportive accommodation on an emergency intervention basis to youth surrounded by negative environmental factors, demonstrating high personal vulnerability and at-risk of homelessness. | Street Culture Kidz, Ministry of Social Services, Saskatchewan Housing Corporation |
| Emergency Shelters for Women and Children Leaving Domestic Violence | Transition homes and shelters for women and their children leaving domestic violence. | Justice ministries and community partners |
| Family Intervention - Rapid Support Teams (FIRST) | Provides immediate help and ongoing assistance to families that may be at risk of experiencing violence. FIRST outreach workers provide collaborative, timely services and ongoing support to families to reduce the risk of future violence. | Justice ministries, West Central Crisis and Family Support Centre, Envision Counselling and Support Centre, Moose Jaw Transition House, North East Outreach and Support Services |
| Fusion22 | For single mothers, fathers, two parent families and youth who have aged out of the care. It includes a trades/training component to the program which will provide participants with training, employment experience, wages and the personal reward of helping people in the community. | EGADZ, Saskatchewan Housing Corporation, Ministry of Social Services |
| Ground Zero | Emergency transitional housing (youth shelter) for youth ages 16-18 years who are in need of safety and support. Provides an immediate, safe place to reside while longer term housing is being secured. | EGADZ, Ministry of Social Services, Ministry of Health, Saskatchewan Health Authority |
| Intensive In-home Supports | Provides an intensive after hours response to ensure the personal safety of children and youth to remain in the family home. | Ministry of Social Services, Indigenous and community-based organizations |
| Kate’s Place | A 24-hour supervised, stable and supportive housing to women and children with specialized program support that meet their spiritual, physical and emotional needs. Support areas include substance misuse reduction, parenting skills/knowledge, reunification with children in care, and programs to generally enhance their health and well-being. | Justice ministries, Salvation Army in Regina |
| Lulu’s Lodge | A supportive home for LGBTQ2S+ youth 16-21 with shared communal spaces. It provides safe, inclusive and stable housing for LGBTQ youth facing homelessness. | Ministry of Social Services, Saskatchewan Housing Corporation, John Howard Society |
| Mobile Crisis & My Aunt’s Place | Emergency benefits for women with children who are seeking emergency shelter. Residents receive support, counselling, advocacy, assistance with housing, and transportation while determining their options for the future. Income assistance is provided as an emergency benefit for families seeking this type of service and provide transitional assistance to more long-term housing. | Ministry of Social Services, Mobile Crisis (Regina), the YWCA (My Aunt’s Place) |
| My Homes | A voluntary program that supports young people ages 12-23 on their healing journeys who are wanting to create lifestyle changes or need a supportive environment to achieve their personal goals and gain independence. | Ministry of Social Services, Saskatchewan Housing Corporation, EGADZ |
| Operation Help | Supports the sexually exploited to access immediate support for legal, health, security, spiritual, housing, and relationship building needs. The program’s focus is a support circle concept, using positive mechanisms to encourage lifestyle changes. | Justice ministries, Ministry of Social Services, EGADZ, Police, Legal Aid, Court Workers, peers and Elders |
| Outreach Services - Prince Albert | Provides outreach services for at-risk youth in Prince Albert. | Justice ministries, Prince Albert Outreach Program |
| OUTSaskatoon Pride Home | A home for LGBTQ2S+ youth 16-21 with shared communal spaces in a supported living environment. The available services will address high-risk characteristics associated with marginalization, domestic violence, poverty and isolation. | Ministry of Social Services, Saskatchewan Housing Corporation, OUTSaskatoon, CMHC, Stewart Property Holdings |
| PA Métis Women’s Association | Serves all people with a focus on self-declared Métis people residing in, and around, Prince Albert who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. They also provide some support in transition to employment and independent living. | Ministry of Social Services, Saskatchewan Housing Corporation, Prince Albert Métis Women’s Association and CMHC |
| Phoenix Place – Youth Mentorship 4Plex | Provides affordable housing for youth transitioning out of care. Services provided include education/employment outreach; life-skills counselling; community liaison and appropriate referrals as needed. | Ministry of Social Services, Saskatchewan Housing Corporation, YWCA Prince Albert |
| Prince Albert Youth Shelter | Emergency youth shelter ages 16-18 provides short term, supportive accommodation on an emergency intervention basis to youth surrounded by negative environmental factors, demonstrating high personal vulnerability and at-risk of homelessness. | Prince Albert YWCA, Social Services |
| Respite | Provide after-hours/emergency respite/day care services to ensure the personal safety of children, individuals and families from abuse, neglect, or personal emergent situations. | Ministry of Social Services, Indigenous and community-based organizations |
| Safe House, Quint Youth Lodge and YWCA Housing | Provides children and youth with a safe place to drop in for a meal, shower, seek advice, do laundry and access other personal services. The program provides links to cultural activities and access to Elders/Kehteyak for support or guidance and advice as needed or requested. | Justice ministries, Saskatoon Tribal Council Urban First Nations Services, Quint, Prince Albert YWCA |
| Saskatoon Downtown Youth Centre Inc. (EGADZ) | Serves children, youth, young adults and young parents through a range of services including outreach, a drop in centre, day and school support programs, a short-term transitional school program, youth employment programs, Operation Help and IAmnot4Sale app and website for sexually exploited youth, Operation Runaway, a teen parent and parent support program, Sweet Dreams Early Learning Centre, and a number of housing programs. Will be operating a ten bed mental health youth home starting fall 2023. | Justice ministries, Ministry of Social Services, Saskatchewan Health Authority, EGADZ, Saskatoon Public and Catholic schools |
| Services for Youth in Care Who go Missing | Operation Runaway operated by EGADZ in Saskatoon identifies the root causes of youths’ running patterns and how we, as collective agencies, can help youth create a self-developed case plan that is unique to each individual. Partnering with other community organizations, this is a wrap-around service, where youth are provided with quick resources, eliminating their need to run away. Youth Connect Program operated by John Howard Society in Regina provides supports and services to hard to serve youth who are absent from Ministry of Social Services care and in circumstances that endanger their health, safety and wellbeing. Services include outreach, intensive case planning, weekly circles with identified resources, and pro-social activities and programming. Services focus on connecting with youth to assess their risks and needs, and develop a safety plan that meets their basic needs and provides interim safety. Addressing the root causes of running will be key in determining program success. |
Ministry of Social Services, EGADZ, John Howard Society, police |
| Yorkton Transitional Homes for Youth | A 24/7supportive living environment for youth with staff in place to address the safety, stability and life-skills training and support of at-risk youth. It provides support services, a rooming house that provides transitional supportive housing to youth aging out of care, or young adults over 18-24 requiring minimal support to live independently. | Ministry of Social Services, Saskatchewan Housing Corporation, Yorkton Transitional Homes for Youth, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation |