Promising Practices: 2012 CYS Symposium

Transcription

1 Promising Practices: 2012 CYS Symposium What are promising practices? These are innovative practices that are emerging in the field as community and government try to provide the best possible services to children, youth and families, very often in circumstances that are difficult and complex. They differ from best practices in that the evidence (of success) may not be well documented as yet, but there seems to be general agreement by those involved that this practice is working and getting good results. In short, there is a good buzz! In other words, today s session is an opportunity for innovators to share their knowledge with their peers and colleagues across the province. Northern Region 1. Promising Practices in Amherst 2012 Marvin Hairston Community Outreach Worker, Amherst Schools Plus HairstonJM@ccrsb.ca Kim Wood Facilitator, Amherst Schools Plus woodk@ccrsb.ca Sarah Rushton Family Navigator, Maggie s Place Family Resource Centre sarahrushton@bellaliant.com This presentation describes two initiatives that were undertaken by sub committees of Cumberland Kids. The goal is to provide youth with something to do, somewhere to go, and someone to talk to. The Art of workshop series started two years ago for youth in grades Sub committee members and community volunteers have taken turns facilitating workshops (usually three sessions over a month on each topic) to provide youth with a variety of experiences in: Web Development, Yoga, Cooking, Judo, Scrap booking, Photography, Baking, Archery, Disc Golf, Journal Making, and Skateboarding. We will share our experiences in coordinating this initiative, both successes and challenges faced. The YMCA Youth Drop in Center for youth ages years started in September This pilot resulted following a meeting held to discuss what is already happening, what is needed, and what could be done to better support children and youth. We will tell you how this one collaborative meeting and the identified follow up actions resulted in a partnership that facilitates a two nights a week Drop In Center for youth in our community that is attended by youth each night. Page 1 of 8

2 2. Highland Recreation Coordinators Collaborative Practices Successes Gerard MacIsaac Regional Rep/Highland Region (Pictou, Antigonish, Guysborough) Physical Activity Sport and Recreation, NS Department of Health and Wellness Philip Flip Hochman Recreation Coordinator of the Municipality of the District of Guysborough The Highland Region Recreation Directors have worked collaboratively for more than 25 years to achieve results in a wide variety of areas related to children and youth physical activity, sport and recreation. Gerard MacIsaac and Philip "Flip" Hochman will discuss some of their projects including Fundamental Movement Skills Program for Children; Highland Connect: an online physical activity, sport and recreation portal of resources, programs, organizational and facility lists; a collaborative approach to after school time period program delivery between recreation departments and school boards; and a series on back to nature initiatives for children and youth. 3. Collaboration and Innovation in Parrsboro Brittany Morehouse Public Health Nurse & Youth Health Coordinator (Parrsboro Regional High School) Cumberland Health Authority Brittany.Morehouse@cha.nshealth.ca Over the past few years, the Town of Parrsboro has suffered the loss of 4 youth (suicides and alcohol related accidents) and 2 young fathers ~ a crisis for such a small area. In order to increase community youth capacity and resiliency, Public Health in this region began an initiative involving the following partners: Maggie's Place, Nurse Practitioner, NS Health and Wellness Youth Health Coordinator, Parrsboro High School, Supervisor of the Chignecto Family of Schools, SPAR Community Health Board members, and local community members/parents. Some of our accomplishments are: Extended school Youth Health Centre services by providing services of a Public Health Nurse 1 day/week (this is in addition to the 1/2 day provided by a NP) Collaborated with school Principal to keep school open & available over summer months for Youth Health Centre Collaborated with Maggie's Place to provide a youth leader to work with Brittany over summer to engage youth (BBQ's, Activities, Float in Parade) Initiated conversations with local adults to gain support for youth (local municipality, RCMP, CHB's, etc) Facilitated meeting with representatives from Slate Youth Center in Truro and Parrsboro community members regarding the development and operation of a Safe Youth Space in the Community Page 2 of 8

3 Partnering with schools, H&W Youth Health Coordinator and other community health agencies to hold a 2 day Youth Retreat facilitated by HeartWood for youth from across Cumberland County (happening in early October) 4. Strengthening Families for the Future Kaylin Comeau Addictions Services, Pictou County Health Authority Kaylin.Comeau@pcha.nshealth.ca Strengthening Families for the Future program (SFF) is a prevention program for families with children between the ages of 7 and 11 who may be at risk for substance use problems, depression, violence, and school failure. In Pictou County, this program has been successfully offered in a collaborative model through a partnership between government and non government agencies. Come to this session if you want to learn more about this program, who the key players are, how we all came together, and how we will continue to work together to sustain this program in the future. Western Region 5. Engaging Youth Laura Macdonald Casework Supervisor, Empire House and the Family Support Centre, Lunenburg County MACDONLT@gov.ns.ca Gail Moore Employment Support Caseworker, Department of Community Services, Lunenburg County Mooregl@gov.ns.ca This session will talk about how the Lunenburg District Office of Community Services partnered with HeartWood to apply its Framework for Youth Engagement to their work with young people. The Framework is founded on these principles: Helping youth make meaningful contributions Youth/Adult Partnerships Encouraging Challenging Learning practices Understanding the importance of Supportive Peers Encouraging an Empowering Culture for youth. Page 3 of 8

4 6. Split Rock Learning Centre Josh Purdy Director, Supporting Youth in Transition Split Rock Learning Center, Yarmouth Tel: Split Rock Learning Centre has been in existence since 2006 and began as a program where youth were able to learn basic life skills in addition to work experience. Since that time Split Rock has evolved into a service which offers a drop in for both in and out of school youth, gym activities at Community Centres, and workshops both in our location, as well as other service provider locations. We also take part in various community events and provide youth with volunteer opportunities. The youth come to us facing various issues ranging from lack of food, housing, education, employment as well as seeking information about services like mental health, addictions, probations which youth sometimes need help to access for the first time. We work very closely with these and many other service providers. On a monthly basis we have between visits which represent youth a month. Central Region 7. Collaborative Service Delivery: Schools Plus, HRM Community Recreation, and Department of Health and Wellness (PASR) Claudette Levy Area Coordinator (HRM Community Recreation and Culture) levyc@halifax.ca Marlene Ruck Simmonds Schools Plus Leader (Halifax Regional School Board) mrucksimmonds@hrsb.ns.ca Carol Davis Jamieson Regional Representative (Health and Wellness Physical Activity, Sport and Recreation Branch) carol.davis jamieson@gov.ns.ca Having the Central Region Child and Youth Strategy (CAYS) leadership table also serve as the Region s Schools Plus Advisory Committee has created wonderful opportunities for collaborative service delivery at the community level across the region. This session will provide an overview of the process followed to create a collaborative work plan to address the recreational needs identified by staff, parents and students at Schools Plus sites in Halifax and Dartmouth. Page 4 of 8

5 8. Incredible Years Training Building Capacity and Sustainability to Support Families where they live through Collaborative Service Delivery between the IWK, Schools Plus & Community Partners Across the Province Judy Elliot Manager, Mental Health and Addictions IWK Health Centre Jackie Spiers Manager, Primary Health IWK Health Centre Just over two years ago it was recognized that many families are seen across community partners services, thus necessitating the provision of an evidence based parenting group in order to provide the best possible and consistent care within community settings to families in all sectors. Through consultation at the Central Region leadership table (CAYS), the IWK decided to open up facilitator training spots in its Incredible Years program to community partners. The goal was to build capacity and sustainability to support families where they live. Since then there have been several additional facilitator training groups which have sponsored community partners. During these sessions the importance of partnering across the sectors has been emphasized. Following the training session, Incredible Years parenting groups have been often cofacilitated by staff from different departments/organizations on many varying community sites. Not only has this provided opportunities for parents to attend a much needed group in their community, it has strengthened linkages and promoted a better understanding and working relationship between community partners. One very successful partnership has been with SchoolsPlus. Community Outreach Workers across the province now have the capacity to deliver groups in the school setting. Page 5 of 8

6 Eastern Region 9. Healthy Relationships in Schools Laura Swaine Antigonish Women s Resource Centre ruralyouthawrc@ns.sympatico.ca. Margaret Mauger Colchester Sexual Assault Centre trurosexualassault@hotmail.com Note: Laura and Margaret will co present their programs together, noting the differences in program format/content and the communities being served. The Healthy Relationships for Youth (HRY) program is a peer facilitated school based violence prevention program offered in partnership with the Strait Regional School Board by the Antigonish Women s Resource Centre. This promising practice has been offered in local schools since 2006 and is consistently evaluated and reshaped to fit the needs of the youth. HRY consists of a series of twelve cumulative sessions within the grade nine health curriculum that are delivered by trained youth facilitators. The sessions are designed to reduce the risk of violence for youth through skill development and enhancing knowledge about creating and maintaining healthy relationships. Current program coordinator Laura Swaine will discuss the ways in which the program is helping youth across the Strait Area Region and the importance of using peer facilitators in Healthy Relationship work. Healthy Youth Relationships (HYR) is a well researched school based abuse prevention program developed by the Canadian Red Cross RespectED: Violence & Abuse programs. The eight module workshop focuses on specific key aspects of healthy/unhealthy relationships such as communication, boundaries, emotional abuse, physical assault, sexual assault, and intervention. The workshop is delivered over nine weekly face to face one hour sessions with grades seven to twelve students. During these sessions students learn how to prevent relationship violence and abuse while also gaining practical relationship skills. In order to enhance learning the HYR workshop is interactive and encourages active participation with students through learning activities and open discussion. Margaret Mauger, Executive Director of the Colchester Sexual Assault Centre, facilitates the HYR workshop in Colchester County schools and is here today to discuss the core components of the HYR workshop, learning expectations, and the importance of healthy relationship programs in schools. Page 6 of 8

7 10. Collaboration in rural communities Marguerite MacGillivray Facilitator, Schools Plus, Guysborough County Schools Collaboration i.e., working together is very important in rural communities, which often face a number of barriers. I will talk about the Boys Group and if time permits the Grandparent Support Group. 11. YouCan Mentorship Program Darlene Fewer YouCan Mentorship Program, Regional Training Coordinator Family Service of Eastern Nova Scotia dfewer@fsens.ns.ca Kim Price YouCan Mentorship Program, Regional Mentor Coordinator Family Services of Eastern Nova Scotia kprice@fsens.ns.ca YouCan equips youth to engage and inspire others to peacefully resolve conflicts and develop healthy relationships in their communities. YouCan is a non profit charitable organization dedicated to building a culture of peace among youth. YouCan has partnered with Family Service of Eastern NS as the host site for the Atlantic province for their mentorship program. 12. Adolescent Project Samantha Hodder Manager, Health Promotion and Prevention, Addiction and Mental Health Services, Cape Breton District Health Authority hodders@cbdha.nshealth.ca Addiction Services, Cape Breton District Health Authority (CBDHA) developed and implemented an Adolescent Project to address gaps in existing services for high risk youth, parents and service providers. The project has two main components. The first component consists of capacity enhancement activities that have been designed to enhance the ability of service providers in communities to identify, refer and support youth high risk of substance use and mental health problems. The second component includes service enhancement activities that provide a range of mobile, evidence based early / brief interventions for youth high risk and their parents. Page 7 of 8

8 Provincial 13. Community Asset Mapping Malcolm Shookner Chief Statistician, Community Counts and Statistics, Department of Finance Nova Scotia Community Counts is a publicly supported website that provides statistics that count for communities at 16 levels of geography! Community Counts Map Centre is the latest innovation in mapping data about your community, offering a new and dynamic set of mapping tools to each user. Nova Scotia Community Counts, Department of Finance, in collaboration with the Departments of Community Services, Education, Health and Wellness, and Justice, is mapping assets for children and youth across the province, to inform the collaborative work being done to provide the best available services and resources to our children and youth. Hundreds of communities. Millions of facts. One website! Leaders of Today (LOT) Steve Gordon LOT Coordinator, HeartWood Centre for Community Youth Development stevieg79@gmail.com Youth members of LOT: Sam Kent, Simon Mandari, Taylor Bezanson, Brandin Arsenault, Emily McInnis Leaders of Today (LOT) is an innovation in the way government and youth interact. LOT isn t just about youth engaging with government it s government, youth and youth serving organizations working together to create change in Nova Scotia. It is guided by three main aims: to amplify youth voice, to inform the Nova Scotia Child and Youth Strategy, and to create a place of intercultural learning between youth and government, LOT is an avenue for everyone to share their voice. A unique tool to enable this is the LOT Summit, a three day event which builds face to face relationships, creates transformative experiences, gives a voice to youth, youth serving organizations and government, and encourages everyone to take action in their communities. Leaders of Today also provides support to regional activities around the province, working with communities to create effective change around burning issues affecting youth. Page 8 of 8