THE PROGRAM SERVES YOUTH AGED 12- 18 (EXCEPTIONS MAY BE MADE FOR OLDER YOUTH THAT ARE STILL UNDER A YOUTH PROBATION ORDER AFTER THEY TURN 18), WHO ARE IDENTIFIED AS YOUNG OFFENDERS AND INVOLVED IN THE YOUTH JUSTICE SYSTEM AND ARE EXPERIENCING DIFFICULTIES IN RELATION TO THEIR SUBSTANCE USE. THESE YOUTH HAVE BEEN ASSESSED BY THEIR YOUTH PROBATION OFFICER AND ARE NEEDING SUPPORT AND FURTHER INTENSIVE COUNSELLING IN REGARDS TO THEIR SUBSTANCE USE. THE YOUTH COULD ALSO BE SENTENCED TO ATTEND THE PROGRAM FOR COUNSELLING AS A CONDITION OF THEIR PROBATION ORDER.


The Changes Youth Justice Substance counsellor provides a continuum of intervention services/counselling, as well as assessment, service planning and referrals as required to meet the needs of youth with medium to high risk substance use concerns. Services focus on:

• ENCOURAGING YOUTH TO EVALUATE THEIR SUBSTANCE USE/MISUSE, EXAMINE THE ROLE AND IMPACT THAT IT HAS ON THEIR LIVES AND SUPPORT THE YOUTH IN MAKING CHANGES.
• PROVIDING EDUCATION ON DRUGS & ALCOHOL, AND ASSIST YOUTH IN DEVELOPING HARM REDUCTION STRATEGIES AND RELAPSE PREVENTION PLANS
• SUPPORTING YOUTH TO REDUCE THEIR SUBSTANCE USE AND FUNCTIONING IN COMMUNITY
• SUPPORTING YOUTH IN IMPROVING PEER AND FAMILY INTERACTIONS.
• REDUCING THE RISK OF FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF CONCURRENT (SUBSTANCE USE AND MENTAL HEALTH) CONCERNS.

Referrals are initially screened for eligibility by the Youth Probation Officer or Team Leader and then forwarded directly to and screened by the ARC Program Director.