Component: Mental health/specialized programming

Legislation: Child, Youth and Family Services Act (CYFSA), 2017

Requirements

Disposition of records

  1. In the event the Service Provider ceases operation, it is agreed that the Service Provider will not dispose of any records related to the services provided for under this contract without the prior consent of Ontario, which may be given subject to such conditions as Ontario deems advisable
  2. For purposes of services provided pursuant to the Youth Criminal Justice Act (YCJA) (Canada), and the Provincial Offences Act (POA), upon termination of services to the young person, the Service Provider will retain and ultimately dispose of records relating to the young person in accordance with the Youth Criminal Justice Act (Canada), the Child, Youth and Family Services Act (CYFSA) 2017 and the policies and procedures of Ontario

Confidentiality

  1. The Service Provider, its directors, officers, employees, agents and volunteers will hold confidential and will not disclose or release to any person other than Ontario at any time during or following the term of this contract, except where required by law, any information or document that tends to identify any individual in receipt of services without obtaining the written consent of the individual or the individual's parent or guardian prior to the release or disclosure of such information or document. Where the Service Provider is a municipality, or such other "institution" as defined in the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, the provisions of such Act with respect to the disclosure or release of information apply
  2. Where the Service Provider is providing services for the purposes of the Youth Criminal Justice Act (YCJA) (Canada) and the Provincial Offences Act (POA) the Service Provider, its directors, officers, employees, agents, and volunteers will abide by the confidentiality provisions of the Youth Criminal Justice Act (YCJA) (Canada) and the policies and procedures of Ontario

Transfer Payment Recipients will follow the Youth Justice Services Manual (YJSM) that was first issued April 1, 2006, and all subsequent revisions. “Contents Applicable to All” and the “Transfer Payment Community Based Programs and Services” sections outline minimum requirements for the Transfer Payment Recipients.

Service objectives

Provide the youth justice system with an effective alternative to custody program that enhances community safety and provides effective rehabilitation services to young persons who have been diagnosed with mental health disorders.

Service description

People served

Young person’s aged 12-17 at the time of offence

  • who have been found guilty
  • who are serving a probation sentence under the YCJA but would likely have been
  • sentenced to custody (based on criminal record, previous response to non-custodial sentences, current offences, etc.), and
  • who are diagnosed by assessment with one or more disorders, including but not restricted to
    • Early onset major psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia spectrum disorders mood disorders (Major Depressive Disorder, Bipolar Disorder which may include chronic suicidal or self-harming behaviour) severe anxiety disorders (post-traumatic stress disorder, severe social anxiety disorder, obsessive/compulsive disorders)
    • Intellectual Disability such as Mild, Moderate, Severe and Profound Autism Spectrums Disorder (including ADHD, Communication Disorders, Motor Disorders, Learning Disorders/Disabilities, etc.) Dual diagnoses (developmental delay and early onset major psychiatric disorder)

The young person must also

  • Voluntarily consent to the program
  • Consent to and have family support for treatment
    • “Family” shall be interpreted broadly when determining a young person’s eligibility for an ISSP. Accordingly, the absence of a nuclear or extended family or appropriate supports from that family should not exclude a young person from consideration for admission to an ISSP. Where a potential client is without family supports and is assessed as meeting the needs and other criteria of the program, that young person would be eligible for an ISSP provided there are appropriate “non-family” supports available
  • Be able to function in a community or family setting with appropriate supports and supervision in place, without risk to themselves or others in the community
  • Have a history of past involvement with mental health interventions that demonstrates the young person would be responsive to appropriate intervention and
  • Have mental health needs that can be serviced by the service provider(s)

Admission to the ISSP will be through a process established by the ministry in consultation with the service provider.

Program/service features

  • Programming and community supports are individualized and aimed at influencing attitudes and behaviour and promoting the development of appropriate social skills
  • Programs are clinically focused, community-based, appropriate to the young person’s level of functioning and target the specific needs or problems that are recognized as contributing to the young person’s offending behaviour
  • The following should be viewed as components of an ISS, but do not stand alone
  1. Mental health treatment interventions directed toward assessing, alleviating, reducing, or managing primary symptoms of illness or disorder, as well as promoting pro-social attitudes and behaviour, including
    • Counselling and psychotherapy, such as individual and group therapy, family counselling, behaviour management, psychiatric consultation
    • In home and residential supports to family, such as medication review and management, hospitalization, residential treatment and respite, access to crisis/emergency services 24/7, primary and acute medical/psychiatric care
  2. Interventions for young persons with developmental disabilities and/or dual diagnoses that assist the young person and family to achieve and maintain an optimal level of functioning, including residential, vocational, social, and educational supports, service coordination and advocacy
  3. Community supports to assist the young person and family to achieve and maintain an optimal level of functioning within the home, school and community, including: service coordination and advocacy educational support (including in-class/in-school supports, home instruction, tutoring, alternative educational programming and section 19 classroom) vocational support (including assessment, job skills training, supported employment) life skills and independent living supports (including health education) and social and recreation support (including mentoring, family and self-help support advocacy volunteer programs)
  4. Substance abuse programs that target specific medical, social, and behavioural issues related to substance use (including work with other programs to provide treatment, detoxification, and relapse prevention)
  5. Family therapy programs that provide parent education and general supports in parenting, managing relationships, discipline, and family dynamics
  6. Post discharge services/after care planning for continuity of services and a bridge to post-supervision after care
    • Cross-sectoral working alliances and partnerships are established so that programs function as part of a comprehensive continuum of supports and services
    • Hours of service will be based on programming needs and will be developed in consultation with the young person and legal guardian(s) where appropriate
    • There is a graduated plan to address non-attendance and negative behaviour in collaboration with the case manager

Individual planning and case management

  • The probation officer is the case manager responsible for the provision and coordination of all services relevant to the YCJA The probation officer prepares a Case Management Plan, guided by the Risk/Need Assessment, as the overall service plan for the young person
  • The service provider will develop an individualized treatment plan for each young person that is consistent with the probation officer’s Case Management Plan and reflects the assessment of needs, the specific services/supports/interventions to be provided and the expected outcomes of service. Criminogenic needs will be specifically identified to guide the selection of appropriate targets of service. A treatment plan to engage ongoing community support beyond the YCJA sentence will be established
  • The service provider will monitor and evaluate the young person’s progress minimally every 30 days, with adjustments to the treatment plan as required, and conduct a detailed review minimally every 90 days
  • The service provider will provide progress reports to the Probation Officer within 30 days of referral and at 30-day and 90-day review intervals
  • The ISSP service provider will collaborate with the probation officer in the ongoing review and revision of the Case Management Plan and treatment plans. The probation officer is responsible for monitoring the young person’s progress and for enforcement decisions related to the probation order

Services will be

  • Part of a youth centered delivery system that provides rehabilitative and reintegration programs and services to youth in conflict with the law
  • Based on cognitive behavioural principles and interventions, best practices, consultation, evidence-informed and/or evidence-based programming and integrated with other services provided to youth within government and in the community
  • Reflective and responsive to the youth, family and community strengths and needs
  • Accountable to the youth, family, and community
  • Sensitive to the social, linguistic, and cultural diversity of families and Indigenous communities
  • Staffed by individuals with the appropriate range of skills, abilities, and cultural competency necessary to respond effectively to the needs of youth and families
  • The support is based on the youth’s assessed needs, preferences and available individual, agency, community, and contracted ministry resources
  • Aligned where appropriate to support the achievement of the Youth Justice Service Division’s four outcomes for youth
    • Improved functioning and positive social behaviour
    • Increased skills and abilities
    • Increased youth engagement with supports and
    • Decreased re-offending
  • Responsible for completing training modules, reviewing business processes, and viewing program results of the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services (MCCSS) Youth Justice Outcomes Framework (YJOF) via the YJOF SharePoint Site (please contact regional office for site access)
  • Responsible for demonstrating outcome achievement using the following tools of the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services (MCCSS) Youth Justice Outcomes Framework (YJOF) consistent with timelines and processes specified in training modules
    • Actively offering youth the option to complete the Non-Residential Youth Experience Survey (NRES)
    • Completing the Monthly Survey Distribution Record
    • Completing the Outcome Data Collection Form (ODCF)
  • Applying the standardized collection of Identity-based data in order to better serve youth who receive Youth Justice services and programs. The standardized collection should be applied for all types of programming except Prevention and Extrajudicial Measures
  • Aligned with Anti-Racism and human rights principles to challenge racism and oppression in all its forms

Reporting requirements

The following service data will be reported on at an Interim and Final stage. Please refer to your final agreement for report back due dates and targets.

Service Data Name Definition

# of Youth: Developmental Delay: ISSP Pilot (sec 42(2)(1))

The total number of young persons assessed as Developmental Delay receiving services and interventions.

ISSP Pilot (sec 42(2)(1)): Ministry-funded Agency Expenditures

Total ministry-funded expenses for the service agency to administer and/or deliver this service in the reporting year (cumulative).

# of Individuals: Educational/Vocational Support - ISSP Pilot (sec 42(2)(1))

The total number of clients receiving educational/vocational supports during the period of the ISS sentence order, directed at assisting the client and their family to maintain functioning within the educational/employment environment. Education includes service coordination and educational advocacy, educational supports in-class, in school, home instruction, tutoring, alternative educational programming.

# of Assessments: ISSP Pilot (sec 42(2)(1))

The number of assessments completed to develop and provide individualized plans and services.

# of Families Receiving Programming: ISSP Pilot (sec 42(2)(1))

The total number of families receiving formal, therapeutic family programming/counselling, during the period of the ISSP sentence order, directed toward sustaining improved parenting skills and family dynamics, for example parental education and general supports in parenting, managing relationships, communication, and family discipline. Sessions can be individual or group.

# of Individuals: Dual Diagnosis: ISSP Pilot (sec 42(2)(1))

The total number of young persons assessed as Dual Diagnosis receiving services and interventions.

# of Youth - Not qualified - ISSP Pilot (sec 42(2)(1))

The total number of young persons who have not qualified for the ISSP program, based on the service provider's assessment.

# of Youth: ISSP Pilot (sec 42(2)(1))

The number of young persons who are the recipients of the approved service in a residential or non-residential program during the fiscal year (April 1st – March 31st). A young person will be counted as follows: One program start and completion in a fiscal year: A young person is counted once in a fiscal year where the service is completed. Multiple services/one service provider: Where a young person is receiving multiple services from one service provider, that young person is counted in each program. Multiple admissions in-year – same service/same program: A young person is counted once if there is a break in service in the fiscal year and the young person re-enters the same program, with the same service provider. A young person is counted as a new admission if they return to the same service provider on referral by the case manager to attend a new or similar program. Same service is defined as a program delivered to a youth addressing one (original) charge.

Multiple admissions in-year – new service/same program: A young person is counted each time, where a service is completed in the fiscal year and the young person is the recipient of the same service, under a new charge. New service is defined as a program delivered to a youth to address a new charge. Fiscal Year overlap: A young person is counted once in each fiscal year where the service being provided begins in one fiscal year and continues into a new fiscal year. Where a young person is receiving multiple services from one service provider, that young person is counted in each program.

# of Completions: No Charges: ISSP Pilot (sec 42(2)(1))

The number of young persons who complete the program without incurring any new charges, during the period of the order.