A one-stop shop
Integrated Youth Services (IYS) hubs are places that offer children and youth, as well as their families/caregivers, walk-in or virtual access to integrated services. These hubs are “one-stop shops” offering wraparound services, from health, basic needs, and housing support to education, career, and family services. They exist to provide seamless, integrated services across providers and sectors all in one place so that youth throughout Newfoundland and Labrador with the support they need to thrive.
Choices for Youth opened the first IYS hubs in the province, which has been in operation since 2004. In partnership with NL Health Services, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, the Bell-GBF Partnership, RBC, the North Pine Foundation, and Medavie, Choices will lead the implementation and development of nine IYS hubs throughout the province, starting with two hubs in 2024.
Each of the hubs will focus on early intervention and prevention and will offer a central access point for a youth needing in-person or virtual care. We are proud to be working with eight steering committees across Newfoundland and Labrador that have informed the models of service delivery that will meet the local and regional needs of youth and young families while staying true to national best practices.
Youth Need Our Support
Youth across Canada are in need of support.
Across the country, an estimated 70% of mental health problems begin during childhood or adolescence. While one in five young people aged 15-29 report experiencing mental illness or substance use challenges, fewer than 25% get the help they need. These services can be difficult or confusing to access and can lead to serious negative outcomes, including frustration, hopelessness, caregiver burnout, and more.
As a proven model in addressing the needs of youth and young families, we’re pleased to have Newfoundland and Labrador continue to lead a national model that operates in every province and territory in Canada. We’re proud to join a growing movement of IYS across Canada and around the world.
What We Do
IYS hubs draw on the strengths of their communities. Our approach supports organizations to work together and deliver care that is non-judgmental, team-based, and centered around young people and caregivers. IYS is a global movement that transforms how young people and their families access the resources, services and supports they need.
Programs and services offered at each IYS hub in Newfoundland and Labrador may differ, based on each community’s unique needs. However, core services will be offered at each hub.
Each IYS hub will:
- Provide low-barrier access to a range of core services and secondary supports that meet the needs of youth;
- Include non-traditional hours of operation, so youth can access services and supports when they need them;
- Have an upstream focus on prevention and early intervention services, supports, and resources;
- Take a holistic approach to youth wellness;
- Offer walk-in, scheduled, and virtual programs and services that cater to the needs of youth;
- Engage with and involve youth as key partners in a meaningful and ongoing way;
- Work in partnership with the IYS backbone team to achieve a shared vision and shared outcomes;
- Offer comprehensive, effective, high quality and evidence-informed programming and services;
- Develop a standard universal consent policy and form to ensure seamless and ethical information-sharing;
- Provide a safe, inclusive, and welcoming space for youth in the community;
- Support highly trained and qualified service providers and staff;
- Deliver ongoing quality improvement through data, monitoring, research, and evaluation.
Take a look at these videos from the Bell-Graham Boeckh Foundation partnership, one of our program partners, for more information:
HOW THE IYS
MODEL WORKS
The IYS model is driven by meaningful engagement with youth, caregivers, families and community members in the design and delivery of services.
THE INVESTMENT
In March 2024, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador announced, as part of Budget 2024, a $4.3 million investment in a provincial model of Integrated Youth Services, to be supported by Choices for Youth and NL Health Services. After five years of community engagement and developmental work, we’re thrilled to see investment in a provincial model of youth support.
This model has been developed through engagement with eight steering committees in communities of need, including 65+ community partners who have been engaged in this work since 2019. This project is also being supported by philanthropic partners, including the Government of Newfoundland & Labrador, Bell-GBF Partnership, RBC, Medavie, and the Northpine Foundation.