Intensive Re-Integration Services (IRS)
The IRS team offers guidance and support to individuals who are at high-risk to re-offend upon release.
Working as mentors, coaches, facilitators, role models and advocates, the IRS team assists their male and female clients serving a disposition under the Youth Criminal Justice Act (YCJA).
A team member will meet the individual prior to his/her release. Together, they will develop a reintegration plan using the YCJA as a guideline, to ensure successful reintegration.
Who the IRS Supports
- Males and females between 12 and 18 (Youth may be older than 18 and serving a youth order).
- Special consideration and modification of programming will be given to clients diagnosed as developmentally challenged, or those with significant cognitive limitations, cultural, language or literacy barriers, or potential mental health concerns.
- As a component of a custody/support and supervision order, selection is based on an assessment of risk, need and sentence length.
The IRS Provides the Following:
- Mentoring and role modeling
- Advocacy for education programs
- Support accessing financial assistance
- Link to community partners and programs
- Referrals for clinical supports through the Centre for Children and Families In The Justice System
- Access to recreational programming
- Guidance with housing searches
- Crisis support and safety planning
- Transportation and support with attending appointments
- Assistance securing employment
- Skills training; including life skills, problem solving and anger management
