John Howard Society - Child and Youth Services

Child and Youth Services (CYS) provides evidenced-based and effective programming to young people and their families who may be struggling in areas of their lives due to poverty, homelessness, addiction and mental health, and, as a result, are at risk of or already involved in the youth justice system. Their full range of services, from prevention to intervention, allows young people to access the necessary supports based on their risks and needs.

Their services are guided by the belief that there is potential in every individual and possibility for growth and change. They believe that young people can choose to live lawfully and successfully, provided with the requisite information, skills, motivation, opportunity and support. Through their residential and community programs they are highly committed to supporting children, youth, and their families to achieve their personal, social, educational and vocational goals, and, ultimately, avoid involvement or re-involvement in the justice system; and, to increase community safety through crime prevention and crime reduction measures.

A Different Street (ADS) – 01/02 – 04/05

A Different Street is a community based residential treatment program; 12 apartments (2 bedroom, kitchenette, bathroom & living room). The primary target group is young males, ages 16 - 20 years old who have been recently released from custody and who are homeless. The expectation is that all clients will be high risk / high need, requiring residential and clinical interventions to achieve successful reintegration.

Client profile:

* 16 yrs and over
* No home or inadequate accommodations options
* Require period of adjustment in a structured home-like environment & transition to independent living
* Willing & able to cope in a semi-structured environment
* Motivated to work cooperatively on their risk factors & reduce the risk for recidivism
* Agree to sign a contract (rules & program requirements)
* Pay $340.00 rent / month (Ontario Works subsides) The goal is to assist the youth in transitioning into the community. Interventions are individualized and based on standardized assessments of the youth's risk and need areas.

CST interventions:

* Counsellors are on site, are grounded in the social ecological model and critical thinking process, behavioural & cognitive/behavioural techniques to conceptualize cases and design intervention plans.
* Considerable attention is given to developing life-skills, vocational skills and educational upgrading.
* Collaborative relationship between counsellor, probation/parole officer and community police to promote youth accountability

Theoretical & Empirical Background:

* The approach is premised on the three principles of case classification: Risk / Need / Responsivity Principle.
* Principles of effective programming: standardized assessment procedures to evaluate the client's risk and need areas, interventions in the clients’ community & focus of areas of need most strongly associated with criminal activities.
* Need areas: antisocial attitudes, educational/vocational competencies, antisocial peer associations, substance abuse, ineffective use of leisure time, family / social relationships & personality / emotional deficits.

Clinical Treatment Model:

Derived from the causal