The Town of Halton Hills is seeking funding from Youth Wellness Hubs Ontario (YWHO) to boost services at its youth centres.
The YWHO is a Government of Ontario program designed to cultivate youth programs that support mental health services across the province. Currently, 18 locales are designated as youth hubs including Timmins, Kenora and Malton in Mississauga. If approved, the Town could receive anywhere from $50,000 to $300,000. Council endorsed the funding application during its most recent meeting.
"The time has come for us to be recognized as an official youth wellness hub and leverage the available funding to enhance our service delivery," Director of Recreation Services Samantha Howard said in her presentation to council.
The funding would allow a number of things, including:
- Expanding staff hours for mental health crisis and clinical supports through Reach Out Centre for Kids and the Canadian Mental Health Association
- Expanding staff hours for addictions counsellors and a peer support team with ADAPT
- Securing the services of a nurse practitioner to provide primary care needs through a partner
- Converting part-time youth programmers who supervise recreation to full-time equivalent hours
- Expanding hours of operation for programs that complement the school day
- Completing improvements to the Georgetown youth centre location in partnership with the Halton District School Board.
The Halton Hills Youth Network consists of several services meant to act as a safety net for people aged 12 to 24. Organizations like Reach out Centre for Kids, ADAPT, Bridging the Gap and more partner with the Town to provide services to youth.
The municipality delivers these services through its two youth centres in Acton and Georgetown. Not only do youth have access to mental health, addiction and housing supports, they can also receive food from local food banks, enroll in leadership programs, learn how to cook or simply hang out in a welcoming environment.
The youth centres, according to a staff report to council, "meet the YWHO criteria and are known in our community as a safe and supportive environment."
Staff will be preparing a business case, with the help of a YWHO consultant, for the funding as well as preparing a letter on behalf of the mayor and council to the local member of provincial parliament, Ted Arnott.
"In the meantime, we will work with ADAPT to introduce our new youth concurrent worker in our space in September, which help address the growing of substance use and need for interventions," Howard said in council. The worker will be in place for one year.
Councillor Alex Hilson called the presentation "exciting news."
"I think we'll have a healthier community as a result," Councillor Jane Fogal said.
She asked if the funding would be continuous. As the YWHO started in 2017 and the Province opened up more funding in January of this year, Howard said she anticipates that it will continue.
