REGINA — Four organizations have been chosen to operate Saskatchewan's Integrated Youth Services (IYS) sites, which deliver supports to young people aged 12 to 25 and their caregivers.
After a competitive call for proposals, the YWCA Regina in Regina, YMCA of Regina in Moose Jaw, and PARTNERS Family Services in Humboldt have been selected by the John Howard Society of Saskatchewan (JHSS), which is the group co-ordinating the IYS sites in partnership with the Government of Saskatchewan. The Sturgeon Lake First Nation Health Center in Sturgeon Lake First Nation is the fourth organization to host a site, after previously hosting one as part of a national research project.
Work on the sites is underway, with services to begin 2024-25.
The JHSS is implementing the provincial model for IYS, providing rapid access to youth-targeted supports, with a focus on prevention and early intervention. Services offered are typically for mental health and addictions, peer supports, physical health, education, employment and training, cultural and traditional supports, and social and community services.
"We can't wait to get to work with our first four sites to make Integrated Youth Services in Saskatchewan a reality," Integrated Youth Services Director Pam Reimer said.
IYS is a national and international movement, aimed at reimagining how youth and their caregivers find and access the resources, services and supports they need.
This inter-sectoral initiative includes leadership and support from the ministries of Health, Education, Social Services, Justice and Attorney General, Corrections, Policing and Public Safety, Advanced Education, Immigration and Career Training, Government Relations, and Parks, Culture and Sport.
Additional information on Integrated Youth Services is available at saskiys.ca or https://www.saskatchewan.ca/residents/family-and-social-support/integrated-youth-services.
