Youth and family engagement improve care experience of young people by including ongoing processes that embed youth and family voice at all levels (from treatment to organization to system). Since its inception in 2004, the Ontario Centre of Excellence for Child and Youth Mental Health has championed and supported engagement initiatives across Ontario. In 2018, the Centre collaborated with sector leaders (including young people, families, researchers, services providers) to develop a quality standard for youth engagement (YE) and family engagement (FE). Quality standards are key to ensuring that Ontario children, youth and families access and receive consistent, high-quality mental health services wherever they are within the province. The two quality standards are made up of principle-based quality statements that include measurable best practices and can be applied across sectors. The proposed presentation will introduce the quality standards (including implementation tools) and serve as a forum for discussion (with conference participants) across sectors.
Presenters and slide deck
Renee Nossal, Ontario Centre of Excellence for Child and Youth Mental Health
Natalie Markoff, Ontario Centre of Excellence for Child and Youth Mental Health
Mom to a now adult daughter who has struggled with mental health challenges since she was a teen, Natalie is a long-standing advocate for meaningful family engagement in the province of Ontario, and beyond! Natalie is currently the resident Family Engagement Specialist at the Ontario Centre of Excellence for Child and Youth Mental Health. In her role, Natalie works with child and youth mental health agencies across Ontario to coach and support them in implementing the Quality Standard for Family Engagement in their organizations and communities. She also coordinates and leads the Centre's Family Advisory Council. Prior to joining the Centre, Natalie played a key role in bringing the family voice to various system planning tables, and in the development and implementation of family peer support services in Eastern Ontario, through her work at PLEO – Parents’ Lifelines of Eastern Ontario.
Kelli Dilworth, Ontario Centre of Excellence for Child and Youth Mental Health
https://www.cymh.ca/en/projects/youth-engagement.aspx
https://www.cymh.ca/en/projects/family-engagement.aspx
Key Learnings
- A quality standard for youth and family engagement is important for a system that is accountable and constantly improving.
- The standards outline principles based quality statements with evidence based best practices and practical approaches.
- The process of engagement is the practice of engagement.