Call for Proposals for Communities to Host Integrated Services for Youth
The John Howard Society, in partnership with the Government of Saskatchewan, is looking for lead organizations in a minimum of three communities to host integrated services for youth.
Apply online. Submission deadline is August 11, 2023.
The Government of Saskatchewan continues to advance a plan to better serve the needs of youth and their caregivers, through co-ordinated access to a variety of supports and services.
The government is investing $3.4 million in 2023-24 to support the continued development, implementation and operations of an Integrated Youth Services model for Saskatchewan. The John Howard Society of Saskatchewan is providing provincial leadership for consistent implementation.
Integrated Youth Services is a national and international movement, aimed at transforming how youth and their families find and access the resources, services and supports they need.
Integrated Youth Services offers a one-stop shop in the community, providing rapid access to quality, evidence-based, integrated, culturally safe and youth-targeted services and supports, with a focus on prevention and early intervention.
Integrated Youth Services include a range of core services and supports, typically:
- mental health and substance use services;
- primary care, sexual health and harm reduction services;
- education, employment and training supports;
- social and community services
- youth and family peer supports;
- cultural and traditional services; and
- other services as identified by community need.
For a pan-Canadian perspective of integrated Youth Services, the Bell-Graham Boeckh Foundation Partnership has created the IYS for social 2021 Saskatchewan video.
News Releases
- Call for Proposals for Communities to Host Integrated Services for Youth (June 29, 2023)
- Call for Applications for Provincial Youth Co-Design Team to Integrate Services (April 18, 2023)
- John Howard Society Awarded Integrated Youth Services Contract (November 4, 2022)
- Integrated Youth Services Work Proceeding (January 20, 2022)
Frequently Asked Questions
1) What is Integrated Youth Services (IYS)?
Integrated Youth Services is a national and international movement, aimed at reimagining and transforming how youth and their families find and access the resources, services and supports they need.
2) What is an Integrated Youth Services hub?
Integrated Youth Services hubs offer a one-stop shop in the community, providing rapid access to quality, evidence-based, integrated and culturally safe youth- and family-targeted services and supports, with a focus on prevention and early intervention.
3) How many Integrated Youth Services hubs are being planned for Saskatchewan?
In Saskatchewan, Integrated Youth Services hubs will be implemented in at least three communities, including one large urban, one medium urban and one rural/northern/remote community. Communities and partnering organizations will be identified in 2023-24.
4) What will Integrated Youth Services look like in Saskatchewan?
Integrated Youth Services hubs will support youth and young people aged 12 to 25 and their caregivers by integrating and co-locating a range of youth-targeted services and supports in one location, including:
- mental health and substance use services;
- youth and family peer supports;
- primary care;
- education, employment and training supports;
- social and community services;
- cultural and traditional supports; and
- other services as identified by community need.
Services and supports will focus on prevention and early intervention, and will aim to reduce barriers to accessing services and connect youth with the right services, in the right place and at the right time.
Community partnerships and co-designing services with youth and caregivers are key components to Saskatchewan's Integrated Youth Services model.
5) Who will lead Integrated Youth Services in Saskatchewan?
The John Howard Society of Saskatchewan has been selected to lead Integrated Youth Services as a Backbone. A Backbone is responsible for implementing a consistent and comprehensive provincial Integrated Youth Services model, establishing and fostering collective partnerships. It is also responsible for providing leadership, provincial direction and ongoing support for the long-term operation of a minimum of three physical Integrated Youth Services hubs in addition to virtual services.
6) How will youth and families be engaged within the Integrated Youth Services model?
Engagement with youth, caregivers and other stakeholders will occur during planning, development, implementation and service delivery.
Co-designing with youth is a key element of Integrated Youth Services. Including the voices and experiences of youth will help to ensure that the Integrated Youth Services model is achieving its goals: services and supports co-designed with youth, for youth.
In June 2023, the John Howard Society concluded a call for youth to serve as a member of the provincial Integrated Youth Services Youth Co-Design Team. Team members are Saskatchewan youth aged 12 to 25 with lived or living experience with mental health, substance use challenges, or other experiences in accessing services and supports.
Members of the Youth Co-Design Team will use their voices and lived or living experience to inform the Integrated Youth Services model for Saskatchewan, guiding the development and implementation of services that align with the strategic direction and overall vision for Integrated Youth Services in the province.
More information about the selected team members will be released by the John Howard Society of Saskatchewan at a later date.
7) What will be the process for selection of communities and lead organizations to operate Integrated Youth Services hubs?
On June 29, 2023, the John Howard Society of Saskatchewan launched a provincial call for proposals process to identify and select lead organizations in a minimum of three communities to develop and operate Integrated Youth Services youth hubs.
An assessment of community need and readiness, as well as organizational capacity, partnerships, experiences with co-design and meaningful engagement, and ability to deliver core services and supports with fidelity to the provincial Integrated Youth Services model will be considered as part of the application and assessment process.
Applications can be found at https://saskiys.ca/call-for-proposals/
Interested communities and lead organizations can submit their application until August 11, 2023.
8) What will the provincial funding be used for?
In 2023-24, $3.4 million in provincial funding will support implementation of the Integrated Youth Services model, including operational funding for the Integrated Youth Services hubs.
9) What role does philanthropy play in Saskatchewan's Integrated Youth Services model?
In jurisdictions across Canada, philanthropy has played a key role in supporting Integrated Youth Services. The Government of Saskatchewan looks forward to continued collaboration with philanthropic partners to achieve a shared and comprehensive vision for Integrated Youth Services in Saskatchewan.
10) What if I have questions about Integrated Youth Services in Saskatchewan?
Inquiries can be directed to:
Crystal Nieviadomy
Integrated Youth Services Project Co-Lead
crystal.nieviadomy@health.gov.sk.ca
Tricia Wuschenny
Integrated Youth Services Project Co-Lead
tricia.wuschenny@gov.sk.ca