Work to establish Integrated Youth Services (IYS) in Saskatchewan was announced in 2022, with John Howard Society eventually winning a $3.4 million contract as the program's backbone agency — now, the program's first four sites are known.
IYS sites are moving forward with partner agencies in Regina, Moose Jaw, Humboldt, and Sturgeon Lake First Nation.
Integrated Youth Services is a national and international movement aiming to simplify how youth between the ages of 12 and 25 (and their caregivers) access services around mental health and addictions, peer supports, physical health, education, employment and training, cultural and traditional supports, and social and community services.
John Howard Society of Saskatchewan (JHSS) is implementing the IYS provincial model, focusing on rapid access, prevention, and early intervention. Services are expected to begin in 2024-25.
The Moose Jaw site will be operated in co-ordination with the YMCA of Regina in Moose Jaw. There is no Moose Jaw YMCA branch, but the Y's community services in Moose Jaw continue, including before and after school programs at local schools and the youth shared services mentorship program.
"The YMCA's Moose Jaw branch was dissolved in 2019, but most of our programs were able to be folded in under the umbrella of the YMCA of Regina in Moose Jaw," explained Steve Compton, CEO of YMCA Regina. "The name sometimes causes confusion, but we continue to maintain a focus on Moose Jaw, it's very important to us, and we're excited to once again be forming closer ties with the community.
"We currently have a site that we are working on on High St, in the former RBC building, and renovation work has started there."
"I'm pleased these communities will host Integrated Youth Services sites, making it easier for our young people to get the services they're looking for all in one location," said Tim McLeod, MLA for Moose Jaw North and the current provincial minister of Mental Health and Addictions. "This is another step forward in our government's plan to better serve the needs of youth and their families with coordinated access to a variety of supports."
"We are excited to see the interest of so many communities throughout our province in hosting an Integrated Youth Services site," said Pam Reimer with the JHSS. Reimer is the provincial director of IYS and is overseeing development.
"One of the things that's really important to us as we move forward with Integrated Youth Services is that our youth are involved and are influencing the type of supports offered, how they're offered, and that we have their perspective. So, this isn't a top-down, no-consultation, 'this is how it's going to be' program. ... We've been working with a group of 18 youth in the target age range, so between 12 and 25, since June last year and they will continue to shape this process."
The Provincial Youth Co-Design Team was announced in April 2023. Youth on the team are compensated for their time and are consulting on the design, branding, and guidelines for IYS sites. Reimer and the Co-Design Team are also ensuring that feedback from affected youths will be part of IYS going forward.
The 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.
More information on IYS in Saskatchewan, including the timeline of development, funding, stakeholder feedback, team members, and other frequently asked questions, is available at:
