The program serves at-risk and high-risk youth aged 12-18 that may be in conflict with, or not living with, their families or caregivers; and not connected to other community supports. Services may be provided to the youth, parents or both depending on the nature of the risk factors that are impacting the safety of the youth and family, and their willingness to be involved in one or more of the program components.

The screening process, and prioritizing of referrals for admission, includes a review of the referral information in relation to:

• THE URGENCY OF THE REFERRAL {PERCEIVED RISK} AND CRITICAL NEEDS OF THE YOUTH (WHICH MUST BE RESPONDED TO AS A PRIORITY FOR SERVICE, AND SUCH RESPONSE WILL BE DOCUMENTED IN THE CLIENT’S FILE).
• THE PRESENTING ISSUES, STRENGTHS, NEEDS, ABILITIES AND PREFERENCES OF THE YOUTH.
• THE YOUTH’S UNDERSTANDING OF, AND THEIR WILLINGNESS TO ENGAGE IN THE SERVICES.
• THE AVAILABILITY OF STAFF CASELOAD CAPACITY TO ENGAGE WITH A NEW REFERRAL.
• REFERRALS FROM THE MINISTRY FOR YOUTH-IN-CARE, OR YOUTH SEEKING A YOUTH AGREEMENT WITH MCFD, TO DEVELOP INDEPENDENT LIVING SKILLS WILL INCLUDE YOUTH THAT ARE 16 AND AT LEAST THREE MONTHS LESS THAN 19 YEARS OF AGE; OR UNDER 16 YEARS OF AGE AND MARRIED (BUT NOT LIVING WITH THE SPOUSE) OR A PARENT OR EXPECTANT MOTHER. EXCEPTIONS MAY BE MADE TO DEVELOP AN AGREEMENT WITH A PARENTING-YOUTH, TO LIVE WITH THEIR PARTNER AND CO-PARENT THE CHILD, IF THE MCFD SOCIAL WORKER APPROVES THE ARRANGEMENT.
• YOUTH ELIGIBLE FOR A YOUTH AGREEMENT CANNOT BE RE-ESTABLISHED WITH FAMILY OR HAVE NO PARENT OR OTHER PERSON WILLING OR ABLE TO ASSIST THEM; AND REQUIRE BOTH FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AND SUPPORT SERVICES TO PLAN FOR INDEPENDENCE.
   

Referrals for the Reconnect Outreach services may come from the Ministry (which would have priority), the community, or self-referrals by youth and families. Referrals for the (Independent) Living Skills services will primarily come from the Ministry, although community or self-referrals for youth may initially be served through the Reconnect services, and subsequently become involved with this service component. Referrals for the Parent-Teen Mediation services may come from the Ministry (which will have priority), the community and self-referral by youth and families.

Services are provided in the Castlegar, Trail and Slocan Valley to Nakusp communities.

After receiving a referral, we contact the youth (and family, as applicable) to discuss the program, and answer the youth and/or family’s questions. The results of this screening process could be to develop an admission plan, or to identify a plan for youth and/or parents for referral to alternate services.