Our mission |
What we know |
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Our
mandate |
History |
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Our principles |
In the news |
Our vision is a community where the needs of youth and their families are provided with services that assist them to lead productive, successful lives.
Our mission
The Eastern Ontario Youth Justice Agency provides Best Practice based interventions to high risk youth in conflict with the law and their families with the goal of improving personal competencies, strengthening families, reducing recidivism and promoting a safer community.
We are funded by the Ontario Ministry of Children and Youth Services, Youth Justice Branch. (Top of page)
Our mandate
To provide Alternatives to Custody Programming and to support the reintegration of high-risk youth in conflict with the law
* reduce the entry of young
persons into custody facilities
* prevent the return of young persons to custody facilities
* enable the earliest possible reintegration to the community
from custody facilities with the appropriate supports. (Top of page)
Our principles
1. Youth will have access to a comprehensive array of services that address the youth’s physical, emotional, social and educational needs.
2. Youth will receive individualized services in accordance with the unique needs and potentials of each youth and guided by an individualized service plan.
3. Service plans will be derived from comprehensive assessments of risk, needs, responsivity, and strengths which through research have been linked to success in the community.
4. Youth will receive supports necessary to remain in the community: out-of-home placements will be considered as a last resort.
5. The families and surrogate caregivers of youth will be full participants in all aspects of the planning and delivery of services.
6. Youth will receive services that are integrated, with linkages between child-care and mental health care agencies for planning, developing, and coordinating services.
7. Youth will be ensured smooth transitions to the adult service system as they reach maturity.
8. Youth will receive services
sensitive and responsive to cultural differences and special needs
including race, religion, national origin, sex, physical disability
or other characteristics.
9. Staff will be appropriately
trained, supervised and monitored for adherence to evidence-based
principles.
10. Programs and services will
be continuously evaluated with providers assuming accountability
for outcomes. (Top of page)
*Several principles were adapted from Stroul, BA & Friedman,RM (1986). A system of Care for severely emotionally disturbed children and youth. Washington DC: Georgetown University Development Center.
What we know
The base rate of recidivism among youth in conflict with the law is higher than 50% without any intervention. Add in effective program design for high-risk youth in conflict with the law and you can easily predict lowering the recidivism rate from 50% to 40% and better. Is this cost effective and worth investing in for their future? "A small change in a young persons life can make all the difference later in life" The Eastern Ontario Youth Justice Agency provides programs that are are accesible 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to their clients and families. "Being there makes all the difference".
How do you make for a safer community?
What are the root causes of crime? Well we know what they are and all we need to do is focus on these and spend the money where it is needed.
Irvin Waller, predominant researcher in the area, director of the institute of crime prevention at Ottawa U, specializes in this area. The formula is simple: enforcement, prevention and treatment; providing incentive for young people to complete school and finding gainful employment. To achieve this goal, the education, housing, social services and legal sectors must work together.
Politicians, the public and the media must increase their knowledge of what works in crime prevention and reduction.History
In 1989, under the Young Offenders Act (1984), the then Ministry of Community and Social Services created and funded the Eastern Ontario Youth Agency (EOYJA) and developed a novel program called the Community Support Team to deliver intensive, evidence -based best practices, community-based counselling services to young persons, 12 - 15 yrs in conflict with the law (formally called Young Offenders) and their families, in Ottawa, Renfrew County, including the City of Pembroke, the Counties of Prescott and Russell, and the United Counties of Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry, including the City of Cornwall.
As well, EOYJA was originally incorporated to oversee the construction of the William E. Hay Centre, a secure custody facility for the then called, Phase 1 young offenders, which opened in 1995. Today, under the new Youth Crinimal Justice Act (2003) the Ontario Ministry of Children and Youth Services, Youth Justice Branch fund and mandate EOYJA to continue delivering services and to a larger youth group, 12 - 17 yrs of age and their families with the development of three new programs (in partnership), the Non-Residential Attendance Centre, the Intensve Support and Supervision Program and A Different Street. EOYJA is a non-profit, transfer payment agency registered charity. (Top of page)
In the news
July 5, 2010 - Minister Broten’s statement in response to the release of the first report and working papers of the Commission to Promote Sustainable Child Welfare
June 18, 2010 -- More Summer Jobs for Youth
This summer, more than 4,600 youth from 32 priority communities across the province are getting the chance to gain valuable job experience.
May 13, 2010 -- Enhanced Checkup To Support Child Development
Eighteen-month-old children in Ontario can now receive an enhanced checkup as part of their regular visit to their doctor.
