Appendix – Youth Resource Centre (YRC) (06/25/2008)
Table of Contents – Program Location

Youth Resource Centre Resource Description

DOCUMENTING

1. Distribution of Documents

CLIENT SERVICE

1. Health Care Providers
2. Client Property Storage
3. YRC Phase System
4. Client Allowances
5. Client Savings and Trust Account

Youth Resource Centre

RESOURCE DESCRIPTION

1.0       IDENTIFYING INFORMATION

Operator’s Name - St. Leonard’s Community Services
1100 Clarence Street
P.O. Box 638
Brantford, Ontario 
Telephone - 519-759-8830
Fax - 519-759-8156
Executive Director - William B. Sanderson
E-Mail Address - wsanderson@st-leonards.com

Key Personnel
Jo-Anne Link, Director of Children’s Residential Services
Sharon Walker, Manager

Program Specialists
Clinical Consultant - Dr. Gwen Dutrizac- Child Psychologist

2.0       RESOURCE INFORMATION

Youth Resource Centre

Address - 331 Dalhousie Street
P.O. Box 638
Brantford, Ontario
Telephone - 519-759-1290
Fax - 519-754-4031

Bed Capacity - 20                                           

Type of Resource- Emergency, Short Term & Long Term Housing for “at risk” youth.

Association/Affiliation - Ontario Association of Hostels and Children’s Mental Health Ontario (CMHO).

3.0       PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION OF RESOURCE

The Youth Resource Centre is a large home located in a commercial/residential zone. The main floor of the house consists of a spacious living room/rec room, two computer labs, laundry room, client, staff and visitor’s washrooms, staff office, small meeting office, kitchen, dining area and 6 single bedrooms.  The second floor has two wings; the front north wing contains 4 single bedrooms, a meeting/program room, a client’s bathroom and a staff office.  The back south wing contains a staff office, 2 client bathrooms, 5 single bedrooms, 1 double bedroom and 1 triple bedroom.  The basement area of the home contains a furnace room and storage areas. The design and furnishings are cheerful and in keeping with the ages of the youth who reside.  A fenced backyard, parking area for floor hockey and a basketball court are on the property.

Number of bedrooms - 17                                           Number of Bathrooms - 5
Number of single bedrooms - 15
Number of shared bedrooms - 2 (1 double, 1 triple)
Bedrooms in basement - 0

The home has a small front yard/garden, a side yard with gardens and a fenced backyard with a parking area.  

Bedrooms are equipped with the following for each youth:

• bed,    
• dresser and/or bedside table, 
• chair,
• locked storage for safe keeping of valuables and personal property.

Clients are allowed free access to all living areas within the residences, with due regard for the privacy, safety and personal possessions of others.  Staff members knock before entering a client’s bedroom.  In shared bedroom situations, the client’s need for privacy is accommodated. The program also designates a room or area in the residence to accommodate private visits and meetings.

Surrounding Community

The city of Brantford and surrounding area is located on the scenic Grand River about a half-hour drive from Hamilton and Cambridge.  The areas population is about 100,000 people.  The Youth Resource Centre is centrally located in an older residential neighbourhood of Brantford.

The neighbourhood offers 2 elementary schools and 2 high schools within walking distance.  There are 12 places of worship, which include a Baptist, United, Catholic, Christian Fellowship, Lutheran, Anglican Church as well as an Inter-denomination Worship Centre in close proximity. There are two parks within walking distance.  The Brantford Police Services is nearby.  A number of commercial businesses operate within the area.  The residence is within easy walking distance of shopping, public parks, library, medical services and social service agencies. 

4.0 PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

 Protocol for Admitting Clients Age 15

The Children’s Aid Society of Brant is to be notified by the Shift Coordinator should any 15-year-old client arrive requesting residential services.  The CAS Worker will assess client needs and options.  If the CAS worker confirms that the client needs to be admitted to the Youth Resource Centre, the CAS Worker will sign a service agreement at the time of admission.

Notification Process for Intake of 19 Year Old Clients

The Youth Resource Centre notifies Ontario Works by phone on the next business day of any client admissions who are 19 years of age.  Staff provide the following information to Ontario Works:

• name,
• date of birth,
• circumstances that brought the youth to the Youth Resource Centre,
• employment status,
• family status,
• previous contact with other service providers such as the Salvation Army.

DOCUMENTING

1) Distribution of Documents

Unless otherwise specified, all reports and minutes are to be reviewed by the Manager or delegate before distribution.  Some documents have a “circulation check off list” that must be completed to confirm the documents have been sent.  In all cases, the circulation checklist should be noted on the original document.

The following chart outlines whom various reports and minutes will be distributed to in order to ensure good communication.

CLIENT SERVICE

1) Health Care Providers

Clients can access their own dentist, physician, etc.  In the event that a client does not have health care providers, the residence uses the following health care providers/services:

House Doctor – Dr. Murray, 222 Brant Avenue, Brantford, 519-756-4310,

Dental - Dr. Scott, 32 West Street, Brantford, Ontario, 519-759-7190,

Optometrist Office - Dr. Szak, Young, Bobor and Georgeoff, 31 William Street, Brantford, Ontario 519-759-2250,

Walk in Medical Centres - Fairview Medical Clinic, 222 Fairview Drive, Brantford, Ontario, 519-756-8340,

Emergency Medical – Brantford General Hospital, 200 Terrace Hill Street, Brantford, Ontario, 519-752-7871.

2) Client Property Storage

All client property is held in storage by the YRC for 7 days after the client’s departure.  Every effort is made to contact the client or contact person that is identified on his/her property waiver prior to the disposal of the property.

3) Youth Resource Centre Phase System

The Youth Resource Centre has a system that outlines client expectations for bedtimes, wake ups and curfew.  As the client demonstrates progress towards their treatment/action plan and increased independence skills, they become eligible to move to the next phase.  Counsellors (Primary Workers) present all movement requests at case management meetings for discussion and approval.

4) Client Allowances

Client allowances are issued daily for all clients receiving Ontario Works.  Clients referred from the CAS receive a daily allowance as arranged between their Counsellor (Primary Worker) and CAS Worker.

5) Client Savings /Trust Accounts

The YRC works with clients to develop budgeting skills and a plan for savings and withdrawals.  The approach is geared towards helping the client develop responsibility and self-discipline in dealing with all aspects of their finances.

A trust account is provided to assist the client in this regard.  Each client’s trust account has a balance sheet, which outlines deposits and withdrawals. 

Staff deposit funds received from clients immediately into the safe, which is located in the staff washroom.  Staff ensure clients receive a receipt and document the transaction in the log book.

Designated night staff are responsible for emptying the safe each Monday night and handing the money directly to the Supervisor working the day shift Tuesday morning.  The Supervisor hand delivers all monies to the Administration office on Tuesday mornings.

Should the client need to withdraw money from his/her trust account, the client will meet with their Counsellor (Primary Worker) to plan the withdrawal.  Requests for withdrawals require three days notice.  Upon receiving the withdrawal request, the Counsellor (Primary Worker) will submit a signed cheque requisition to the Administration office, via fax.

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