2026–2027 Services delivered: Redesign: Indigenous Youth Justice Services

Component: Community Partnerships

Legislation: Child, Youth and Family Services Act (CYFSA), 2017 Youth Criminal Justice Act (YCJA)

Requirements

Disposition of records

1. In the event the Service Provider ceases operation, it is agreed that the Service Provider will not dispose of any records related to the services provided for under this contract without the prior consent of Ontario, which may be given subject to such conditions as Ontario deems advisable
2. For purposes of services provided pursuant to the Youth Criminal Justice Act (YCJA) (Canada), and the Provincial Offences Act (POA), upon termination of services to the young person, the Service Provider will retain and ultimately dispose of records relating to the young person in accordance with the Youth Criminal Justice Act (Canada), the Child, Youth and Family Services Act, 2017 (CYFSA) and the policies and procedures of Ontario

Confidentiality

1. The Service Provider, its directors, officers, employees, agents and volunteers will hold confidential and will not disclose or release to any person other than Ontario at any time during or following the term of this contract, except where required by law, any information or document that tends to identify any individual in receipt of services without obtaining the written consent of the individual or the individual's parent or guardian prior to the release or disclosure of such information or document. Where the Service Provider is a municipality, or such other "institution" as defined in the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, the provisions of such Act with respect to the disclosure or release of information apply
2. Where the Service Provider is providing services for the purposes of the Youth Criminal Justice Act (YCJA) (Canada) and the Provincial Offences Act, (POA) the Service Provider, its directors, officers, employees, agents, and volunteers will abide by the confidentiality provisions of the Youth Criminal Justice Act (YCJA) (Canada) and the policies and procedures of Ontario

Transfer Payment Recipients will follow the Youth Justice Services Manual (YJSM) that was first issued April 1, 2006, and all subsequent revisions. "Contents Applicable to All" and the "Transfer Payment Community Based Programs and Services" sections outline minimum requirements for the Transfer Payment Recipients.

Service Description

As part of the Youth Justice (YJ) Services Redesign for Indigenous Youth – the Call for Proposals (CFP) programs / services will aim to address the overrepresentation of Indigenous youth in the justice system by taking action against systemic racism and impacts of colonialism, reducing disparities, and promoting equitable outcomes through the delivery of culturally relevant and sustainable system responses, that are informed, co-developed and co-delivered by Indigenous organizations, communities, and partners.

Programs/services will

• Prioritize community-based prevention and diversion to reduce the number of Indigenous youth who become involved in the justice system;
• Improve the quality, accessibility, and availability of appropriate programs and services, to meaningfully address justice-involved Indigenous youth's unique strengths and needs;
• Strengthen supports for Indigenous youth's families, caregivers, and communities, to promote connectedness and well-being, and
• Effectively support Indigenous youth as they exit the justice system, to set them up for future success and reduce further justice involvement.

People served

Indigenous youth at-risk of justice involvement and justice-involved Indigenous youth 12-17 years of age at the time of the alleged offence, where applicable), their families / caregivers, and communities.

Program/service features

• Indigenous led, designed, and developed (including youth, families / caregivers, communities, where appropriate)
• Culturally relevant, community-based, and individualized
• Provide an effective and timely response to offending behaviour
• Identification of the needs and risks of Indigenous youth in the program and responds with appropriate supports, including referral(s) to other community services
• supports to address issues that are underlying risk factors linked to the probability of re-offending
• Provide an opportunity for the youth to recognize their skills and abilities
• Enhance cultural connections by linking Indigenous youth to wraparound services that support Indigenous peoples / communities/ organizations
• Increasing access to strengths-based, trauma-informed, family and community-oriented services for Indigenous populations and communities
• Introduce concepts to provide greater understanding of the impacts of inter-generational trauma and violence, colonialism, and racism (where appropriate)

Program Goals

• Focus on targeted interventions to reduce reoffending behaviors and future involvement of Indigenous youth in the justice system
• Culturally grounded and based on principles such as Anti-Indigenous Racism, Anti-Oppression and Anti-Colonization
• Use a strength-based approach with youth and their families / caregivers / communities (where appropriate), to emphasize existing strengths, needs, skills, ambitions, knowledge, and talents
• Revitalize youth sense of purpose, self-esteem, and self-value to help youth reclaim and take pride in their identity and strengthen their connection to their family, community, and culture

Ministry expectations

• Services helps Indigenous youth and their families / caregivers / communities, and increases their resiliency by building their skills and competencies
• Services are designed to counter or mitigate significant risk factors without stigmatizing the youth
• Services are based on Indigenous knowledges and cultural practices / perspectives, evidence-informed, and integrated with other services provided to youth within government and in the community
• Review youths’ progress on a regular basis and adjust services, as needed
• Will provide information respecting existing community services and supports that may be suitable and, where appropriate, support youth in accessing these services
• Will be delivered by individuals with an appropriate range of skills, abilities, and cultural competency necessary to respond effectively to the needs of youth, and their families
• Sensitive to the social, linguistic, and cultural diversity of youths, families / caregivers, and communities
• The intervention/treatment process will promote youth involvement, partnership, and shared decision-making so that all parties understand the goals and desired outcomes
• Will bring key partners in multi-disciplinary service delivery together, where appropriate, to provide an integrated and coordinated service response to help meet the needs of youth and their families / caregivers
• Aligned with Anti-Racism, Anti-Oppressive, Anti-Colonial and human rights principles to challenge racism and oppression in all its forms
• Aligned where appropriate to support the achievement of the Youth Justice Division’s Youth Justice Outcomes Framework (YJOF) for youth:
  • Improved functioning and positive social behavior
  • Increased skills and abilities
  • Increased youth engagement with supports and
  • Decreased re-offending
• Responsible for completing reporting requirements that demonstrate program metrics such as utilization, outcome achievement, evaluations, and other reports as required by the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services (MCCSS)

Reporting Requirements

The following service data will be reported on at an Interim and Final stage. Please refer to your final agreement for report back due dates and targets.