The Government of Saskatchewan is investing $3.4 million in 2022-23 to support the continued development and implementation of an Integrated Youth Services model for Saskatchewan. The John Howard Society of Saskatchewan has been selected to serve as the Backbone for Integrated Youth Services, providing provincial leadership for consistent implementation. Additional information can be found in the November 4, 2022, news release.
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 misuse services;
- primary care, sexual health and harm reduction services;
- education, employment and training supports;
- social and community services
- youth and family peer supports; 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.
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 site?
Integrated Youth Services sites 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 sites are being planned for Saskatchewan?
In Saskatchewan, Integrated Youth Services sites will be implemented in at least three communities. Communities and partnering organizations will be identified in 2022-23.
4) What will IYS look like in Saskatchewan?
Integrated Youth Services sites 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 misuse services;
- youth and family peer supports;
- primary care;
- education, employment and training supports;
- social and community services; 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 IYS 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 IYS sites in addition to virtual services.
6) How will youth and families be engaged within the IYS 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 IYS. Including the voices and experiences of youth will help to ensure that the IYS model is achieving its goals: services and supports co-designed with youth, for youth.
7) What will be the process for selection of communities and lead organizations to operate Integrated Youth Services sites?
The process for identifying communities as well as partnering organizations to operate each IYS site is under development. A procurement process will occur in 2022-23 to identify at least three communities and select Lead Agencies to operate IYS sites. 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 IYS model will be considered as part of the application and assessment process.
8) What will the provincial funding be used for?
In 2022-23, $3.4 million in provincial funding will support implementation of the Integrated Youth Services model, including operational funding for the Integrated Youth Services sites.
9) 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