Programs: Outreach/Crisis
The Outreach/Crisis Program provides a range of client-centred services for youth 10-18 and their families who have had difficulty accessing the services they need. Some of the supportive and short term services that we can provide are:
- assistance with issues of homelessness and housing support (Brock Mission, Youth Emergency Shelter, Housing Rescource Centre)
- assistance with Ontario Works
- crisis intervention support
- assessing and referring vulnerable clients to formal services
- short term support and/or counselling services
- advocacy, mediation and case management with family, schools, courts and landlords
- problem solving, conflict resolution, relationship building, anger management
- facilitating broad access to community resources
Who is Outreach/Crisis for?
Outreach/Crisis is for young people:
- in crisis
- who distrust traditional services
- with transportation issues that make it difficult to get assistance
- from disorganized families
- with mentally ill, alcoholic or extremely high needs parents where the child is so busy taking care of their parents that they have difficulty taking care of themselves
How is this service provided?
The PYS Outreach/Crisis Program is designed to be as flexible and responsive to the needs of youth as possible. Within 24 hours after a referral is made, an appointment is set up with the young person and an initial assessment is conducted involving both the client and his/her family when appropriate. The goals of the assessment are to determine the needs of the young person and to develop a plan of action to meet those needs. The focus is on basic needs first and then if or when needed and ready, to transfer to our Counselling Program or other agency. The service is provided where the youth is located, in the youth's environment rather than within the agency, when possible. We work very closely with school guidance departments, chaplains and social workers in identifying kids in need and in crisis.
How can I get into the Outreach/Crisis Program?
You can call Peterborough Youth Services from 9:00am to 5:00pm Monday to Friday to set up an appointment to meet with an Outreach/Crisis counsellor. The meeting may take place at PYS, at a school, in the community or whereever is most convenient for the needs of the young person.