Presenters and slide deck
Ayon Shahed - Director of Strategic Development, Choices for Youth
Jill Doyle - Manager of Programs, Choices for Youth
Karen Stone – Deputy Minister of Health and Community Services, Newfoundland and Labrador
Key Learnings
- Choices for Youth is working in partnership with local agencies to expand the delivery of Integrated Youth Services across the province of Newfoundland and Labrador in response to an array of needs and opportunities: a) a continued increase in number of youth migrating to St. John’s to access services, b) a call from youth for one stop shops, and c) the opportunity to influence major policy levers to drive integration and change across large systems.
- Integrated Youth Services can directly address key rural and remote needs through various means, including reducing barriers to accessing services, minimizing stigma, and reducing out migration to drive the health of local economies.
- A network of 9 Integrated Youth Service hubs across Newfoundland and Labrador will be rooted in local context while still maintaining consistency in core services and values. With a primary focus on mental health, youth engagement and family stability; the ambition extends to ultimately drive community and economic development through the provision of social enterprise and transitional employment opportunities, in combination with supportive and affordable housing.
Identified Gaps in Research, Practice, and/or Policy
Many communities have a broad range of services for youth, but what’s often missing is an umbrella agency to coordinate access, act as service navigators and bring providers together.
Quotes
“In rural and remote NL, many young people told us that they want to stay in their hometowns and contribute to their local community – IYS offers the services and model of access needed to help make this possible.” – Ayon Shahed
Contact email of Presenter
Ayon Shahed - ashahed@choicesforyouth.ca
