Youth Support Program

What is the Youth Support Program?

It is a program for youth 12-17 who might otherwise be placed in custody or who are in need of support and supervision after being released from custody. The program includes individual counselling, group sessions and recreation. Referrals are accepted from the Ontario Court of Justice, Youth Division and Ministry of Children and Youth Services, Probation Office.

What will be expected of a program participant?

Participants must attend scheduled appointments. Appointments may include individual meetings, school visits, family visits, group meetings and recreational activities.

Participants must co-operate and commit to their program goals.

Individual Meetings

The Youth Support caseworker meets individually with participantsas determined at the point of intake. A cognitive behavioural approach is used to decrease anti-social behaviour and attitudes. Participants learn how to think through and evaluate the consequences of their behaviour, specifically in terms of how it implacts themselves and others. Anger management and problem solving training are an important aspect of these individual sessions.

The Youth Support Caseworker assists participants in obtaining independent living where approved by Probation Services. The Youth Support Caseworker targets lifeskills training by providing education, awareness and connecting to resources in areas such as cooking, budgeting, apartment/housing search and financial assistance, education and employment.

Groups

Participants can access the Attendance Centre (AC) for additional group/skills training which may include:

• Problem Solving
• Anger Management
• Substance Abuse Education
• Health Relationships
• Eyes Wide Open
• Homework Club
• Anti-Criminal Thinking
• Youth Anger Control
• Substance Abuse Treatment
• Youth Violence Intervention
• Recreation Program