The Government of Saskatchewan is investing $3.4 million in 2024-25 to continue advancing a plan to better serve the needs of youth and their caregivers, through coordinated access to a variety of supports and services.
The John Howard Society of Saskatchewan is providing provincial leadership for consistent implementation, and four community-based organizations will operate integrated youth services sites under the name HOMEBASE:
- YWCA Regina in Regina;
- YMCA of Regina in Moose Jaw;
- PARTNERS Family Services in Humboldt; and
- Sturgeon Lake First Nation Health Center in Sturgeon Lake First Nation.
Site development, hiring of staff, establishment of services partnerships, and community and stakeholder engagement are underway. It is anticipated that HOMEBASE locations will begin operations in fall 2024.
Integrated Youth Services is a national and international movement, aimed at transforming how youth and their caregivers find and access the resources, services and supports they need.
HOMEBASE locations will offer rapid access to evidence-based, integrated, culturally safe, youth-targeted and evidence-based services and supports, with a focus on prevention and early intervention, for youth aged 12 to 25.
Integrated youth services include a range of core services and supports, typically:
- mental health and addictions services;
- physical health services;
- education, employment and training supports;
- social and community services;
- youth and caregiver peer supports;
- cultural and traditional supports; and
- other services as identified by community need.
For a pan-Canadian perspective of Integrated Youth Services, the Bell-Graham Boeckh Foundation Partnership has created the IYS for social 2021 Saskatchewan video.
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Frequently Asked Questions
1) What is an integrated youth services site?
Integrated youth services sites provide rapid access to integrated, culturally safe, youth-targeted and evidence-based services and supports, with a focus on prevention and early intervention, for youth ages 12 to 25. Services are co-located under one roof to reduce barriers to accessing services for youth.
In Saskatchewan, integrated youth services sites will operate under the name HOMEBASE.
2) Why are integrated youth services sites being branded under a common name?
A consistent name and brand for integrated youth services in Saskatchewan will ensure that youth and families can easily identify integrated youth services sites across Saskatchewan.
3)How was the name HOMEBASE chosen?
The name and brand for integrated youth services in Saskatchewan was co-developed between the integrated youth services backbone (John Howard Society of Saskatchewan) and the Youth Co-Design Team, with support from a Saskatchewan-based firm specializing in graphic design and marketing.
4) How many integrated youth services HOMEBASE sites are being planned for Saskatchewan?
In Saskatchewan, the YWCA Regina in Regina, YMCA of Regina in Moose Jaw, PARTNERS Family Services in Humboldt, and Sturgeon Lake First Nation Health Center in Sturgeon Lake First Nation will each operate one of four integrated youth services sites (HOMEBASE).
Site development, hiring of staff, establishment of service partnerships, and community and stakeholder engagement are currently underway. It is anticipated that HOMEBASE sites will be operational in fall 2024.
5) What will integrated youth services look like in Saskatchewan?
HOMEBASE locations will support youth and young people aged 12 to 25 and their caregivers by co-locating and integrating a range of youth-targeted services and supports in one location, including:
- mental health and addictions services;
- physical health services;
- education, employment and training supports;
- social and community services;
- youth and caregiver peer supports;
- cultural and traditional supports; and
- other services as identified by community need.
Services and supports will focus on prevention and early intervention, and will aim to reduce barriers to accessing services and connect youth with the right services, in the right place and at the right time.
Community partnerships and co-designing services with youth and caregivers are key components to Saskatchewan's Integrated Youth Services model.
6) Who is the accountable partner for integrated youth services in Saskatchewan?
In 2022-23, the John Howard Society of Saskatchewan was selected as the integrated youth services backbone organization. A backbone is responsible for implementing a comprehensive provincial model, developing strategic partnerships, and providing leadership and ongoing support for implementation and long-term operations of physical sites in addition to virtual services.
7) How are youth and families engaged within the integrated youth services model?
Engagement with youth, caregivers and other stakeholders occurs during planning, implementation and service delivery.
Co-designing with youth is a key element of integrated youth services. Including the voices and experiences of youth will help to ensure that the model is achieving its goals: services and supports co-designed for youth, by youth.
In June 2023, the John Howard Society concluded a call for youth to serve as a member of the provincial Integrated Youth Services Youth Co-Design Team. Team members are Saskatchewan youth aged 12 to 25 with lived or living experience with mental health or addictions challenges, or other experiences in accessing services and supports.
Members of the Youth Co-Design Team are using their voices and lived or living experience to inform the integrated youth services model for Saskatchewan, guiding the development and implementation of services that align with the strategic direction and overall vision for integrated youth services in the province. The Youth Co-Design Team was instrumental in developing the HOMEBASE brand for integrated youth services in Saskatchewan.
Each of the HOMEBASE sites will have youth advisory teams to support site development and operations in each community. To learn more about opportunities for youth, please visit www.homebasesask.ca.
8) What has been the process for selection of communities and lead organizations to operate HOMEBASE sites?
In June 2023, the John Howard Society of Saskatchewan issued a provincial call for proposals process to identify and select a minimum of three communities and lead organizations to operate integrated youth services sites. Using standardized assessment criteria, a scoring committee led by the John Howard Society of Saskatchewan determined the successful applicants that best demonstrated need and readiness to lead an IYS site in large urban, medium urban and rural/northern communities. The YWCA Regina (for Regina); YMCA of Regina (for Moose Jaw), and PARTNERS Family Services (for Humboldt) were the successful proponents through this process.
Sturgeon Lake First Nation had previously offered an integrated model of care to youth in their community as part of a national research project. The valuable contributions to developing and delivering integrated youth services achieved through this project have been recognized provincially and nationally. Sturgeon Lake First Nation Health Center accepted an invitation to join Saskatchewan's integrated youth services network as an additional funded site, increasing Saskatchewan's commitment from three sites to four.
9) What will the provincial funding be used for?
In 2024-25, $3.4 million in provincial funding supports implementation of the integrated youth services model, including operational funding for the HOMEBASE sites.
10) What do we hope to accomplish by establishing integrated youth services in Saskatchewan?
Integrated youth services aim to better serve the needs of youth through improved access and coordination to a range of youth-targeted services and supports.
11) What if I have questions about integrated youth services in Saskatchewan?
Inquiries can be directed to:
Crystal Nieviadomy
Integrated Youth Services Project Lead
crystal.nieviadomy@health.gov.sk.ca
Pam Reimer
Director, Integrated Youth Services
HOMEBASE
preimer@sk.johnhoward.ca
www.homebasesask.ca