Youth Justice Fund Projects
2011-2012
Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police:
Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police Conference 2011 - Minister of Justice National Youth Justice Policing Award
Location: Windsor, Ontario
Duration: 2011/06/24 - 2011/11/23
Total Youth Justice funding: $15,000.00
Presentation of the Minister of Justice National Youth Justice Policing Award at the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police (CACP) Conference in Windsor, Ontario from August 21-24, 2011.
Child Development Institute, Centre for Children Committing Offences (CCCO)
Guns, Gangs, and Drugs SNAP for Youth in Custody
Location: Toronto, Ontario
Duration: 2012/05/01 - 2015/04/30
Total Youth Justice funding: $604,372
The Recipient proposes to work with the Ontario Ministry of Children and Youth Services, Youth Justice Services Division, to develop a version of the Stop Now and Plan (SNAP®) program specifically designed for youth in custody, aged 12-17, who are involved in gangs or at risk of gang involvement. The SNAP® program has been proven effective in decreasing delinquency and improving self control among children below the age of 12. It has previously been adapted for specific populations, including girls and Aboriginal youth.
The project will also include the development of web-based modules and training for custody workers. The modules will focus on engaging youth in custody with interesting and creative learning approaches by providing real life scenarios designed to improve self control, decision-making skills and pro-social strategies.
Family Adolescent Straight Talk (FAST)
Daring to Begin/Journey of Choice
Location: Oakville, Ontario
Duration: 2012/03/01 - 2015/02/28
Total Youth Justice funding: $383,600.00
The Recipient proposes a three-year pilot project to provide both face-to-face and e-counselling to approximately 150 youth within the criminal justice system with illicit substance abuse issues in the Halton/Peel area. The organization will introduce the Stages of Change addiction recovery model and e-counselling, a confidential secure Web site to provide treatment counselling. Trained counsellors will customize a dual-pronged, 12-week program specifically targeted for each youth to help them overcome the addiction and maintain recovery, reintegrate them back into the community by engaging and/or reconnecting them to school or employment, and enhance family relationships. The e-counselling will be available to youth 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Youth will also participate in information sessions and presentations on anger management, behaviour modification, legal implications of illicit drugs and the court system. Individual and group sessions will be held for parents and siblings to understand the illicit drug addiction and subsequent behaviours, learn effective problem solving and enrich parental skills.
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) Society for British Columbia:
Drug Treatment Options for Youth with FASD and Similar Cognitive Impairments
Location: Maple Ridge, British Columbia
Duration: 2012/04/02 - 2013/03/31
Total Youth Justice funding: $29,860
The Recipient proposes to develop a report on promising drug treatment methods for youth with FASD and other cognitive impairments and on recommended next steps, and share this report broadly among service providers working with youth in the justice system. The proposed project will include a survey of accommodations being made for people with cognitive disabilities in substance abuse treatment facilities internationally, a review of scientific findings, and a focus group of treatment providers from all sectors working with youth.
Intercultural & Community Development Resources Inc.:
11th Annual Youth Justice Committee Conference
Location: Edmonton, Alberta
Duration: 2011/10/03 - 2012/01/31
Total Youth Justice funding: $50,000.00
The Recipient proposes to organize the 11th Annual Youth Justice Committee Conference which is hosted by the Government of Alberta, Solicitor General and Public Security in Calgary, Alberta on October 14-16, 2011. Youth justice committee volunteers and youth justice partners are provided with information and tools to increase their awareness of mental health issues and refer parents/guardians to resources available to youth involved in the youth criminal justice system that may have mental health issues. This training opportunity builds awareness, shares information and discusses strategies to increase awareness of mental health issues particularly within smaller communities to better support these youth.
Ka Ni Kanichihk:
Oshkabaywis: My Helper
Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba
Duration: 2012/04/01 - 2015/03/31
Total Youth Justice funding: $487,992.00
The Recipient proposes to develop and implement a three-year culturally based mentorship program for 36-40 Aboriginal female youth who are involved in or associated with youth street gangs and in the criminal justice system in Winnipeg. Using a continuous intake format, Oshkabaywis will use the Circle of Courage model which teaches strategies for youth to develop pro-social competencies, attitudes and behaviours and increase positive alternatives. While the Circle of Courage model is lifestyle neutral, a female gender-specific lens will be applied throughout the implementation of the program and will be reflected in hiring both staff and elders.
Mccreary Centre Society / FASD
Substance Abuse programs for youth with FASD and associated cognitive impairments: Informing best practice
Location: Vancouver, British Columbia
Duration: 2012/04/01 - 2014/09/30
Total Youth Justice funding: $236,919
The Recipient proposes to explore drug addiction and treatment options for youth with FASD and other cognitive impairments who are involved in the justice system to gain a better understanding of these youth and the approaches to drug treatment that are effective for these youth. Through interview surveys with youth and those working with these youth, the project will compare the experiences of youth with cognitive impairments to those youth without these challenges. The goal of the project is to inform best practice and provide valuable information which can contribute to the development of an effective treatment approach for youth with FASD and associated cognitive impairments.
Moncton Youth Residences Inc.:
Addictions Awareness/Treatment Program for Youth in the Justice System: Phase I
Location: Moncton, New Brunswick
Duration: 2011/06/15 - 2011/09/30
Total Youth Justice funding: $9,670.00
The Recipient proposes to conduct day visits at several existing drug treatment programs that work with youth involved in the justice system. Many of these programs have been or are currently being piloted by Youth Justice. The purpose of these face-to-face visits is to inform the development of a treatment program within Moncton Youth Residences. The site visits include:
- The Reintegration Demonstration Project with the Daughters and Sisters/Waypoint Residential Drug Treatment Programs being delivered by the PLEA Community Services Society in Vancouver, BC.
- PLEA Programs for High-Risk Youth with Drug Addictions: Fostering Best Practices - an evaluation study being undertaken by the McCreary Centre Society in Vancouver, BC.
- The Justice Engagement Services For Somali Youth project being developed by Rideauwood Addictions Services in Ottawa, ON.
- The Youth Drug Impact Program being delivered by the Calgary John Howard Society.
Native Spirit Consulting:
Healing our Future Leaders
Location: Ohsweken, Ontario
Duration: 2012/01/03 - 2012/12/31
Total Youth Justice funding: $104,190.00
The Recipient proposes to deliver a culturally-relevant pilot project which will provide workshops to Aboriginal youth within the criminal justice system who have illicit substance use issues. These workshops will address their addiction, reconnect them with their heritage and culture, and support them in beginning their healing journey. Youth will attend a series of three, five-day workshops, over three months. One-on-one guidance and support will also be provided to those who need it. The workshops will target substance abuse, anger management solutions, family dynamics and communication strategies which will help youth to transition back into society and take steps to make healthier life choices. Youth participants in the program will be referred by the Six Nations Grand-River Correctional Service.
New Directions for Children, Youth, Adults and Families
O.A.S.I.S. Two
Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba
Duration: 2012/02/15 - 2015/01/31
Total Youth Justice funding: $470,437.00
The Recipient proposes to develop an educational and life skills program for newcomer refugee youth in Winnipeg involved in the youth justice system and in gangs or at risk of gang involvement. The program will assess the life, education and work skill levels of youth participants and create individualized essential skills learning plans to develop and improve required skills. It will also mentor and support the youth through the development of a resume and provide assistance in identifying employment opportunities or facilitating transition into school.
Nova Scotia Department of Justice:
Collaborating to Prevent Gang-Related Violence Knowledge Exchange
Location: Halifax, Nova Scotia
Duration: 2011/12/01 - 2012/06/30
Total Youth Justice funding: $47,734.00
The Recipient proposes to host a knowledge exchange with key stakeholders from other government departments, policing and key community organizations and leaders in the Halifax regional municipality. The purpose of this exchange is to share information and explore promising practices to develop a joint response strategy to rehabilitate African Nova Scotian youth involved in, or vulnerable to, gang involvement.
Old St. Boniface Residents Association:
Community Mobilization Against Gangs
Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba
Duration: 2011/08/11 - 2012/02/29
Total Youth Justice funding: $35,000.00
The Recipient proposes to hold a two-day, regional conference on September 7 and 8, 2011, in Old St. Boniface, Manitoba, to strengthen community capacity, develop an action plan and train those working with youth in conflict with the law who are involved in gangs or at risk of gang involvement. Conference participants include justice professionals, youth service providers, educators, health care professionals and community members.
The presentations provide training on case planning and case management models and on how to develop effective approaches to meet community needs. Discussions from the conference help in the creation of a 90-day action plan consisting of a strategy and integrated approaches for working with youth in gangs or those at risk of gang involvement.
This project supports the Government of Canada's obligation to enhance the vitality of the official language minority in Manitoba.
Ontario Ministry of Children and Youth
Strategy to Assess and Manage Youth Involved with Gangs in Ontario
Location: Toronto, Ontario
Duration: 2012/01/01 - 2015/03/31
Total Youth Justice funding: $600,000
As part of the Ontario Government's Strategy to Assess and Manage Youth Involved with Gangs, the Recipient proposes to hire youth gang experts to train youth justice custody and detention staff to become provincial trainers. These trainers will then provide education and training to custody staff to understand and work with youth in gangs and to deliver "Road to Redemption," a youth gang exit and rehabilitation program.
Plea Community Services Society of British Columbia:
Creating Hope and Building Resilience Conference
Location: New Westminster, British Columbia
Duration: 2011/06/22 - 2011/06/24
Total Youth Justice funding: $14,250.00
The Recipient proposes to deliver a provincial conference, bringing together government and community youth justice service providers, child welfare and community youth services, educators, specialist professionals, researchers and other justice system representatives. The conference focuses on "Creating Hope and Building Resilience" when working with youth justice clients, with particular application to problematic substance use, FASD and other cognitive disabilities, trauma, concurrent disorders, gang affiliation, sexual exploitation, cyber-bullying and coping behaviours. It also focuses on culturally-relevant responses to Aboriginal clients. The conference promotes strategies and shares resources on how to best build resiliency in youth justice clients demonstrating the most challenging behaviours.
Le Programme de Portage Relatif à la Dépendance à la Drogue Inc.
Action justice
Location: Québec, Québec
Duration: 2012/07/03 – 2013/06/30
Total Youth Justice funding: $47,500.00
The Recipient proposes to examine promising practices for treating substance abuse among youth who are in conflict with the law with illicit substance abuse issues. The project results will make it possible to better understand the connection between drug addiction and delinquency, identify courses of action to help the Portage centres improve their practices, be more aware of circumstances of young offenders with addictions and understand the specific needs of clients to reduce recidivism.
Saskatoon Health Region
Forensic Recreational Therapy Services Project: "Get a Life"
Location: Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
Duration: 2012/04/01 – 2015/03/31
Total Youth Justice funding: $228,000.00
The Recipient proposes to develop and pilot a three-year project aimed at supporting youth involved in the justice system overcome their substance abuse and related challenges and ultimately develop a healthy lifestyle. The recreation therapist and youth will identify interests, motivation, satisfaction and attitudes through the development of a plan. Youth will then be given the opportunity to identify pro-social activities that they are interested in and how these can impact their life. Through evaluation and education, youth will be able to identify barriers (money, transportation, etc.) and then learn how to reduce or eliminate them. The project will focus on more than the presenting problem (e.g., substance abuse/dependence) and help youth develop alternative healthy ways to manage challenges associated with substance abuse and to find activities which they can enjoy as an alternative.
Trinity Theatre:
We're Here Now: Peer Leadership in Ethnocultural Communities
Location: Toronto, Ontario
Duration: 2011/12/01 - 2014/08/31
Total Youth Justice funding: $489,930.00
The Recipient proposes to develop and deliver a Leadership in Training (LIT) rehabilitation/reintegration program in the Toronto area focused on ethnocultural, newcomer Canadian youth currently involved in the criminal justice system who are involved in gangs or are vulnerable to gang involvement.
The Program involves teachers, social workers, youth workers, as well as a team of ethnically diverse peer mentors who work with these youth to assist them in developing resilience, coping strategies and social and emotional skills to rehabiliate and reintergrate them back into the community. These youth will also learn leadership skills to become peer mentors to other justice-involved youth.
Upfront Theatre:
Rehabilitation through the Arts
Location: Toronto, Ontario
Duration: 2011/11/07 - 2014-10-31
Total Youth Justice funding: $499,000.00
The Recipient proposes to develop, implement and evaluate a community-based educational, cultural and vocational project to be provided to African/Caribbean female youth in conflict with the law from the Jane and Finch area and who are involved in or at risk of gang involvement. This three-year project will work closely with female youth to provide them with meaningful educational, cultural and social programs to guide them towards completing their high school, and using the arts and multi-media as possible pathways to employment. Some of the female youth who complete the program will serve as peer mentors.
The structured and culturally-relevant project will also consist of extensive workshops in anger management, life skills, career development and financial planning.
Vancouver Police Department:
Minister of Justice National Youth Policing Award 2011
Location: Vancouver, British Columbia
Duration: 2011/07/27 - 2011/08/31
Total Youth Justice funding: $5,000.00
The 2011 Minister of Justice National Youth Justice Policing Award recognizes the efforts of police officers, singly or as a team, who, in an innovative and creative manner, look beyond the formal court system in dealing with young persons who come into conflict with the law. The Diversity and Aboriginal Policing Section, Vancouver Police Department, was chosen by the Selection Committee as best demonstrating, among the nominees from across Canada, creative and innovative policing with young people.
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