Government of Canada Supports Young Offenders Living with FASD

Funding to assist youth involved in the criminal justice system who have Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder


CALGARY, ALBERTA--(Marketwired - Feb. 12, 2015) - Department of Justice Canada

Today, Justice Minister Peter MacKay, along with Member of Parliament for Yukon Ryan Leef, announced $536,658 in funding to the McMan Youth, Family and Community Services Association in Calgary to fund a new FASD Housing Coordinator. The Housing Coordinator will find community-based housing for youth who are involved in the youth criminal justice system and who may be affected by Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder.

This project is supported by the Youth Justice Fund, which supports a broad range of projects that deal with youth involved in the 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 promote greater citizen and community participation in the youth justice system.

Quick Facts

  • The FASD Housing Coordinator's role will be focused on securing appropriate housing placements for youth living with FASD and supporting the people who provide homes for them.

  • The housing providers, with the support of the newly funded Housing Coordinator position at McMan Calgary, will help youth develop daily life functions like cooking, cleaning, shopping, and attending appointments, allowing them to move toward successful independence and reduce the likelihood of re-offending.

  • The funding is being provided over four years as follows:

    • $44,721 for fiscal year 2014-2015

    • $178,886 for fiscal year 2015-2016

    • $178,886 for fiscal year 2016-2017

    • $134,165 for fiscal year 2017-2018

Quotes

"Our Government is proud to help fund this Housing Coordinator program, which will help youth affected by Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder and involved in the criminal justice system succeed at living independent, law-abiding lives. We are committed to supporting valuable organizations such as McMan and the critically important work they do to assist youth."

Peter MacKay, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada

"I am pleased with our Government's support for the McMan Youth, Family and Community Services Association. Programs like this improve the chances for youth with FASD who have been involved in the justice system to reintegrate into Canadian society by providing them with safe and stable living environments."

Ryan Leef, Member of Parliament for Yukon

"Partnership with the Department of Justice of Canada will allow us to respond to a community need and address a key gap in housing resources for youth, particularly those with specific disabilities who may require support on an ongoing basis. Expanding supportive housing options for this vulnerable population will provide them with the needed stability and support to transition to long-term adult resources."

Soraya Saliba, Executive Director, McMan Calgary & Area

Related Products

Backgrounder: Youth Justice Fund

Associated Links

Department of Justice: Youth Justice Fund

McMan Youth, Family and Community Services Association

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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 Main Fund supports a broad range of projects relating to youth involved in the justice system. Current funding priorities include youth with mental health issues and/or cognitive impairments. The Main Fund can also provide support to respond to emerging youth justice issues.

  • The Drug Treatment component supports drug treatment interventions for youth involved in the justice system who are dealing with drug abuse.

  • The Guns, Gangs and Drugs component responds to youth involved in the justice system who are involved in, or vulnerable to, gun-, gang- and drug-related activities.

The Youth Justice Initiative is a multi-faceted approach that includes a legislative framework (the Youth Criminal Justice Act) and programming resources that:

  • Encourage a more fair and effective youth justice system;

  • Respond to emerging youth justice issues; and

  • Enable greater citizen/community participation in the youth justice system by encouraging partnerships and innovations, and developing and sharing information and knowledge about youth justice.

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.

Contact Information:

Clarissa Lamb
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Justice
613-992-4621

Media Relations Office
Department of Justice
613-957-4207