Preventing Crime Through Youth Advocacy and Support

Brief Description

The Calgary John Howard Society (CJHS) Youth programming provides all youth aged 12-24 engaged in criminal activity youth led programming to address their underlying causes of their criminal behaviour. Together youth and the Youth Advocate develop goals to reduce risk factors and increase protective factors including but not limited to education, employment, system navigation, mental and/or physical health, community connection, and access to pro social and recreational activities. The Youth Advocate and the Natural Supports Worker provide the youth and their natural supports a holistic wraparound approach to aid them in transition to adulthood and decreasing criminal involvement.

Goals

The main goals of the Preventing Crime Through Youth Advocacy and Support program are to:

• Address root causes of criminal involvement
• Address challenges families are facing
• Youth have the opportunity to re-engage with family, school and the community, and to grow into healthy, responsible adults.

Clientele

Outreach and advocacy support for?any youth?aged 12-24 who are displaying criminal behaviors or are currently criminally involved. Youth are provided one to one case management support to support youth in self-identified goals for all areas of life.

Core Components

The Natural Support Worker (NSW) enhances connection with natural supports to promote healthy relationships. The NSW connects youth, their family members and friends to recreational opportunities and cultural activities and/or ceremonies.

The Youth Advocates provide one-on-one support, helping youth with:

•       Self-identified goal setting

•       Crisis resolution

•       Accessing counselling and other mental health supports

•       Basic needs

•       Securing affordable and safe housing

•       Cultural connections

•       Navigating the justice system and identifying the root causes of crime

•       Support in navigating various healthcare, community and social supports

•       Finding and maintaining employment/education

•       Recreational opportunities

•       Accessing financial support

•       Navigating family relationships

•       Anything else the youth may need in order to have alternatives to crime

Implementation Information

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

• Organizational requirements: Limited information on this topic.
• Partnerships: Calgary Catholic School District, Calgary Board of Education, Calgary Youth Probation, Calgary Youth Mental Health Diversion, Calgary Young Offender Centre, Calgary Youth Employment Centre, Calgary Food Bank
• Training and technical assistance: Limited information on this topic.
• 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

This program is being implemented by The Calgary John Howard Society in Calgary, Alberta.

Main Findings from Canadian Outcome Evaluation Studies

No information available.

Cost Information

No information available.

References

There is no Canadian reference available at this time.

For more information on this program, contact:

Website:

https://www.cjhs.ca/programs-initiatives/youth-programs/outreach-advocacy-and-support/

Contact:

Bree Reid, Manager Community Outreach and Advocacy Services Team

Bree.reid@cjhs.ca