MOOSE JAW — The next time youths visit HOMEBASE Moose Jaw, a registered nurse could conduct health assessments, help manage health conditions, promote health literacy and offer connections to community and clinical services.
The addition of a part-time nurse to the youth hub location is happening through a new partnership between the YMCA of Regina — it operates the four provincial HOMEBASE venues, which are part of the province’s integrated youth services initiative (IYS) — and Medavie Health Services (MHS).
Medavie will support the hub by providing an RN, who will work with Regina-based The Nest Health Centre to deliver health services that align with the program’s core principles and services. Moreover, the RN and Nest will ensure youths receive timely, culturally responsive and age-friendly care.
Meanwhile, Nest will provide physician services and medical support to the four HOMEBASE locations.
HOMEBASE Moose Jaw is one of four provincial IYS youth hubs, which the Government of Saskatchewan supported by providing $4.5 million. The YMCA is leading the initiative, with provincial leadership through the John Howard Society of Saskatchewan.
Meanwhile, the IYS model is designed to be a one-stop hub that integrates mental health and addictions services, physical health services, education, employment and training supports, cultural and traditional supports, and social and community supports for youths aged 12 to 25, along with their caregivers.
“This is a really great opportunity. This partnership is a model of how we can really re-imagine health care today,” said Angela Sereda, MHS’s senior operations manager. “The more supports that we can provide in the community, (the more they) can really impact the youth and adults in the communities that we serve.”
Medavie has worked with the YMCA before, and through its community paramedic program, it works closely with youths and adults experiencing substance use and challenges, she said.
This newest partnership “is a really good fit,” especially since community paramedics already conduct daily walkthroughs of the HOMEBASE locations to build relationships with youths so the latter feel comfortable accessing medical resources, Sereda continued.
Sereda noted that community collaboration and supporting the health-care system are important, while this partnership is exciting since it could be integrated into “the fabric of our communities.” Moreover, it would make it easier for youths to access the care they require.
“There is such a great need in our communities today for access to health services, that this is just another way of meeting the youth where they’re at, at that moment,” she said.
This partnership may be new to Saskatchewan, but Medavie has been pursuing something similar across Canada for years because of its commitment to health care and mission to improve Canadians’ health, Sereda added.
Steve Compton, CEO of the YMCA, said the organization is excited about this new development at HOMEBASE Moose Jaw. He pointed out that the Y knew there were potential community partnerships in Moose Jaw when it opened the hub, while others — such as MHS — also recognized those opportunities.
“And Medavie, by providing the RN support, is very appreciated, because we all know the competition for health-care resources,” he remarked. “And we’re very fortunate that Medavie partnered with the YMCA.”
An on-site registered nurse will benefit youths who drop in unexpectedly looking for help, said Compton. Doctors from The Nest are present throughout the week, so an RN will support that work and ensure someone is available during non-traditional office hours — specifically, in the evenings.
Meanwhile, Compton said HOMEBASE Moose Jaw is doing “really well” since it opened in November 2024. Staff informed both school divisions about the services the hub offers, which has led to more youths using the venue’s services and programs because a level of trust has developed.
To learn more, email [email protected], call 306-694-5554, visit HomebaseSask.ca, or follow ‘HOMEBASE Moose Jaw’ on Facebook.
