Presenters and slide deck
Lisa Jeffs - Program Manager, Youth Wellness Center, St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton
Penny Burley - Executive Director, Alternatives for Youth
Key Learnings
- Alternatives for Youth and the Youth Wellness Centre have recently co-located and implemented a streamlined and coordinated service delivery model that enables a stronger continuity of mental health and substance use care, and improves youth’s experience and outcomes.
- This work has resulted in the creation of a joint youth advisory council, mutual capacity building and development opportunities, increased credibility in the community, and joint programs for youth.
- In their efforts to integrate their services, Alternatives for Youth and the Youth Wellness Centre were able to overcome challenges related to institutional oversight and differences in organizational capacity by 1) attending and presenting at both organizations’ meetings, 2) developing a License and Alliance Agreement, and 3) developing joint procedures.
- Alternatives for Youth and the Youth Wellness Centre were also able to overcome the challenge of developing a cohesive team by 1) developing a License and Alliance Agreement, 2) creating joint training opportunities and work plans, and 3) engaging in team building activities.
Identified Gaps in Research, Practice, and/or Policy
Agencies interested in improving continuity of care should consider strengthening pre-existing relationships with other agencies that offer a complimentary set of services and that share a common goal of providing integrated care to youth.
Quotes
“We talk about setting shared goals and about how we can do a better job serving youth with concurrent needs” - Unknown
Contact Email of Presenter
Lisa Jeffs – ljeffs@stjosham.on.ca
Penny Burley – pburley@ay.on.ca
