|
Ontario supports local youth -
Apr. 23, 2007
STRATFORD — The Ontario government has provided
$235,000 in funding to the
Huron Perth Centre for Children and Youth for school-based
prevention/diversion and reintegration programs, announced Carol
Mitchell, MPP Huron-Bruce today.
“I am
so pleased that this funding will assist The Huron Perth Centre provide
a service model that will support youth in both Huron and Perth
counties” stated Carol Mitchell. “Their ability to offer one-to-one
community worker support allowing youth to access services, counselling,
and life skill tools is so important to their reintegration into our
community.”
“This
new resource allows us to respond to the needs of clients within the
justice system in a way to make a real difference…timely support and
collaborative work between probation and community services can make the
difference between youth who turn things around and youth that are at
risk to re-offend,” said Terri Sparling, CEO for Huron-Perth Centre.
“This new service strengthens our continuum of services to youth with
social and emotional issues that find themselves in conflict with the
law.”
“We
are delighted that this new funding expands our capacity to respond to
troubled youth in Perth and Huron Counties,” stated Alex Vanderkam,
Huron-Perth Centre President of the Board. “The new funds help us to
reach more youth and in adding a service, takes some pressure off of the
waiting list for children’s mental health services. Whether youth are
struggling in school, in youth justice, in child welfare or in
children’s mental health, they are often the same youth and every bit of
new resource helps us to meet their needs when they need the help.”
Through the auspices of The Ministry of Children and Youth Services
$85,000 has been allocated to operate a school-based
prevention/diversion program for 2007. The Huron and Perth Centre for
Children and Youth, in partnership with the Avon Maitland District
School Board and the Huron Perth Catholic School Board, will use this
funding to assist youth to:
-
Improve school engagement and attachment;
-
Reduce rates of suspension and expulsion;
-
Reduce police involvement and/or charges resulting from school
conflict;
-
Address delinquency issues in school-aged youth;
-
Encourage pro-social behaviour; and
-
Increase support for learning for at-risk youth
Approximately 200 youth across Huron and Perth counties will benefit
from this program annually.
The
Ministry has also allocated $150,000 for Reintegration programs to
provide services and supports to youth reintegrating into their
families, schools and communities. The aim of the project is to reduce
re-offending. The program will serve up to 60 youth annually.
The
Ministry of Children and Youth Services also currently funds a broad
range of violence prevention programs for children and youth from
under-served communities.
These
services focus on:
The
Ministry also spends $22 million annually to provide alternatives to
custody and community intervention programs for youth at risk of coming
into, or in conflict with the law, to reduce offending or re-offending.
“This is another example of our rural organizations working together to
help individuals in our community,” stated Carol Mitchell.
-30-
For further
information
Carol Mitchell, MPP
Huron-Bruce
519 482-5630 |
