Community Connections Programs

Brief Description

Community Connections Programs provide youth who have been in contact with the criminal justice system with case management and access to supports and services that help address their unique risk factors (i.e. employment and education needs, mental health and stability, development of prosocial supports), providing them with greater opportunities to rejoin their communities.

Goals

The main goals of this program are to:

1. prepare the client for reconnection with the community;
2. prepare the community for reconnection with the client by establishing the necessary linkages with organizations and individuals that can address known risk areas; and
3. facilitate and monitor the client’s reconnection with the community.

Clientele

Clients are primarily between the ages of 12-24 years old, are sentenced, under the supervision of Community Supervision and Rehabilitative Services and have been assessed as having a high or very high probability to re-offend. Clients referred to this program experience multiple criminogenic risk factors that include anything from family circumstances and pro-criminal attitudes to anti-social behavioral patterns.

Core Components

The Community Connections Worker collaborates with the Ministry’s Probation Officer/Community Youth Worker to develop individualized reintegration goals and support activities to address identified criminogenic risk areas for each client. The following three levels of the reintegration process and what each level may include are:

1. Preparing the client for reconnection with the community by:

• engaging through one-on-one contact to establish a relationship;
• assisting the client to identify strengths/interests, internal and external resources; and
• holding the client accountable for their choices and actions and encouraging personal responsibility.

2. Preparing the community for reconnection with the client by:

• establishing/reestablishing attachments with family;
• designing a network of community-based services;
• engaging natural, sustainable community supports for the client; and
• enlisting the support and involvement of community stakeholders.

3. Facilitating and supporting the client’s reconnection with the community by:

• facilitating the interaction between the client and community;
• supporting identified strategies of the Relapse Prevention Plan;
• encouraging the client’s independence in their relationships with natural supports and family members; and
• responding to emergent challenges faced by the client and/or those enlisted to support the client in the community.

Implementation Information

Some of the critical elements for the implementation of this program or initiative include the following:

• Organizational requirements: Programs offer clients intensive meaningful interaction (i.e., 3 hrs min/week in community and 1 hr min/week in custody). Program activities are provided during non-traditional work hours.
• Partnerships: Community Connection Program agencies continuously work to improve professional relationships with governments and external agencies. Their networks include a broad range of partners who come from community, government, corrections, policing, and other youth-serving programs.
• Training and technical assistance: The Community Safety and Well-Being Branch offers ongoing support in the areas of contract obligations, program development and support or guidance, if requested.
• Risk assessment tools: Limited information on this topic.
• Materials & resources: Limited information on this topic.

International Endorsements

The most recognized classification systems of evidence-based crime prevention programs have classified this program or initiative as follows:

• Blueprints for Healthy Youth Development: Not applicable.
• Crime Solutions/OJJDP Model Program Guide: Not applicable.
• SAMHSA's National Registry of Evidence-based Programs and Practices: Not applicable.
• Coalition for Evidence-Based Policy: Not applicable.

Gathering Canadian Knowledge

Canadian Implementation Sites

The first Community Connections Program was implemented in 2005 and the second was implemented in 2006. Currently in Saskatchewan, the 11 programs operate in eight communities: Fort Qu’Appelle, Lac La Ronge, Onion Lake, Prince Albert, Touchwood, Regina, Yorkton, and Saskatoon.

Main Findings from Canadian Outcome Evaluation Studies

No information available.

Cost Information

The first Community Connections Program was implemented in 2005. The Ministry of Corrections, Policing and Public Safety partners with 9 community-based organizations across Saskatchewan to deliver the 11 Community Connections programs. In 2022-23, Community Safety and Well-Being will provide approximately $1,620,000 in funding for this program.

References

There is no Canadian reference available at this time.

For more information on this program, contact:

Integrated Justice Services

Community Safety & Well-being

Community Innovation and Restorative Pathways

600 - 1874 Scarth Street

Regina, SK S4P 4B3

Telephone: 306-361-6911

Email: Jessica.Stanley@gov.sk.ca