Funding to help youth involved in the criminal justice system who have cognitive impairments or mental health issues
SELKIRK, MANITOBA--(Marketwired - Feb. 9, 2015) - Department of Justice Canada
Today, James Bezan, Member of Parliament for Selkirk-Interlake, on behalf of Justice Minister Peter MacKay, announced $60,000 in funding to the Lord Selkirk School Division to support youth with cognitive impairments or mental health issues who are also involved in the justice system. The new funding to the Selkirk Team for At-Risk Teens (START) program will use an existing local model to develop a network of support for youth and their families with the goal of preventing further involvement with the justice system.
This project is funded by the Youth Justice Fund, which supports a broad range of projects with youth involved in the criminal justice system. Current funding priorities include youth with mental health issues and/or cognitive impairments such as Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder. The Youth Justice Fund provides grants and contributions to projects that encourage a more effective youth justice system, respond to emerging youth justice issues and enable greater citizen and community participation in the youth justice system, thereby promoting a holistic approach to helping young people.
Quick Facts
Quotes
"Our Government is pleased to support the Lord Selkirk School Division as they reach out to youth involved in the criminal justice system. We are committed to helping those who work with young offenders so we can make our communities safer and help these youth find their way back to contributing to society in a positive way."
Peter MacKay, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada
"I am pleased with our Government's support for the Lord Selkirk School Division to provide support for justice system-involved youth. This project will help reduce recidivism, improve relationships between youth and the community, and increase contact between youth, their families, and the support agencies in place to assist these young people."
James Bezan, Member of Parliament, Selkirk-Interlake
"START's wrap-around model gives hope to youth with diagnosed cognitive impairments or mental health issues. Through collaborative inter-agency support, these often-marginalized youth have the opportunity to complete school and become productive citizens."
Scott Kwasnitza, Superintendent, Lord Selkirk School Division
"Youth with cognitive and mental health issues are particularly vulnerable to remaining part of the justice system once they become involved. With the support of the Youth Justice Fund and our other community partners, the goal of our Customized Support Teams is to prevent re-offending while offering the ongoing support and resources these youth require to move their lives in a positive direction."
Tammy Thompson, Program Coordinator, START (Selkirk Teams for At-Risk Teens)
Related Products
Backgrounder: Youth Justice Fund
Associated Links
Department of Justice: Youth Justice Fund
Lord Selkirk School Division START program (https://www.lssd.ca/START)
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Backgrounder
Youth Justice Fund
The Youth Justice Fund was established in the 1990s as part of the Youth Justice Renewal Initiative, and provides grants and contributions funding for projects across Canada. The Youth Justice Fund has a budget of approximately $4.5 million each year.
The Youth Justice Fund has three components:
The Youth Justice Initiative is a multi-faceted approach that includes a legislative framework (the Youth Criminal Justice Act) and programming resources that:
Community organizations, Aboriginal organizations, and individuals are eligible for funding to help develop community-based programming options and partnerships that respond more effectively and in a more meaningful manner to youth in conflict with the law. Funding support is also used to advance changes in provincial/territorial policies and programs that are consistent with the intent of federal policy objectives.
The Youth Justice Fund supports the development, implementation, and evaluation of pilot projects that provide programming and services for youth in conflict with the law. It supports professional development activities, such as training and conferences, for justice professionals and youth service providers. Additionally, it funds research on the youth justice system and related issues.
Projects must target youth who are between the ages of 12 and 17 and currently in conflict with the law, or justice professionals and/or service providers who work with these youth.
To learn more about the Youth Justice Fund, please visit www.canada.justice.gc.ca/youth.
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