Deadline: 11-Aug-23
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.
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.
Saskatchewan’s IYS model will be branded and purpose-built to fit the requirements and needs of our province and will aim to reduce existing barriers to accessing needed services. Saskatchewan IYS will support youth aged 12-25, in reaching their full potential by integrating and co-locating a range of youth-targeted services and supports, using a stepped-care approach. Initial funding will support the development and operation of at least three IYS Youth hubs in communities across the province. IYS Youth hubs will offer a one-stop centre in the community, providing rapid access to quality, evidence-based, integrated, culturally safe, youth-targeted services and supports, with a focus on prevention and early intervention.
This Call for Proposals (CFP) is an invitation by the John Howard Society of Saskatchewan (JHSS) to prospective Organizations/Entities in Saskatchewan for the purpose of identifying and selecting at least three Lead Agencies to oversee and operate one Integrated Youth Services site each in:
- One (1) large urban centre, population size 150,000 or larger.
- One (1) medium urban centre, population size 15,000 to 149,999.
- One (1) rural or northern centre, population size 14,999 or less.
Sask IYS Core Principles
- The Saskatchewan IYS backbone team is led by a set of core principles for the service development and delivery. The core principles that the Saskatchewan IYS model will be updated to reflect.
- Saskatchewan IYS’ growth and evolution. The core principles include:
- Services focus on prevention and early intervention for youth and young people.
- Services are rooted in integration and stepped care approaches.
- Services are co-developed with youth and young people.
- Services are accessible by self-referral and walk-ins for youth and young people.
- Services should emphasize on community partnerships.
- Services need to be youth-friendly and culturally responsive.
Sask IYS Core Services
- The Saskatchewan IYS model aims to coordinate, streamline and build on existing resources in each community. The Saskatchewan IYS model intends to bring together local government and non‑profit agencies as partners, by co‑locating and integrating services.
- The core services that each Youth hub would need to have include:
- 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 support;
- Other services as identified by community.
Funding Information
- Funding in 2023-24 will support site development, start-up, operational planning, and implementation for a minimum of three IYS Youth Hubs in communities across the province.
- For the 2023-2024 fiscal year, the total amounts are available for a minimum of three (3) locations:
- Operational Expenses – $2,190,000.00
- Capital Improvement – $2,821,227.22
Deliverables
- Integrated Youth Services will:
- Provide low barrier access to a range of core services and secondary supports that meet the needs of youth;
- Include non-traditional hours of operation, to ensure youth can access services and supports when they need them;
- Have an upstream focus on prevention and early intervention services, supports and resources;
- Take a holistic approach to youth wellness;
- Offer walk-in, scheduled and virtual programming and services that are responsive to the identified needs of youth;
- Involve youth as key partners in a meaningful and ongoing way;
- Work in partnership with the IYS backbone team to achieve a shared vision and shared outcomes;
- Offer comprehensive, effective, high quality and evidence-informed programming and services;
- Ensure that a standard universal consent policy and form be developed to ensure seamless and ethical information sharing;
- Provide a safe, inclusive, and welcoming space for youth in the community;
- Utilize highly trained and qualified service providers and staff;
- Deliver ongoing quality improvement through data, monitoring, research, and evaluation.
For more information, visit John Howard Society of Saskatchewan (JHSS)
