Youth advisory teams are on board to inform social service and family programming in Saskatchewan. This as the Social Services ministry continues to develop supports to propel youth to greater independence.

Executive Director Mitch Tremblay with the Ministry of Social Services’ Child and Family Programs says in the Lloydminster area, the ministry provides more than $386,000 each year to local community-based organizations (CBOs) to support families, children and youth.

In an email to MyLloydminsterNow, Tremblay further explains that “CBOs provide a variety of services, including mentorship, in-home family supports, as well as other parenting supports to help keep children and youth safely at home.”

His comments come as the Social Services ministry is actively getting input from three youth advisory teams; EGADZ in Saskatoon, John Howard Society in Regina and Prince Albert Outreach in Prince Albert.

Officials say the youth are sharing on the services important to them as the ministry develops and implements a full youth engagement strategy. They note that the strategy builds on the success of EGADZ’s Operation Runaway initiative which focuses on listening and collaborating with youth. A provincial roll out of the EGADZ risk assessment which officials say has helped to reduce runaway calls to police is planned for next year.

Tremblay adds the work these teams do has the potential to impact all youth in the province moving forward.