SERVICES
GROUP CARE
Our well-maintained homes are located in safe, established neighbourhoods. Close to schools, playgrounds and easy access to transportation, our homes are part of the community and create a welcoming environment. We provide meals and snacks, a monthly clothing allowance, recreational opportunities and transportation. Youth also receive a weekly allowance as part of their program.
Group Care participants receive access to a cultural coordinator who provides individual support and cultural opportunities including monthly sweats, weekly sharing circles and access to community Elders and cultural helpers.
Supported Independent Living
Supported Independent Living services are provided on a spectrum depending on the individual’s needs: from staffed Transition to Independence homes to supported independence in their own apartment.
They receive support from our staff and have access to emergency help 24-hours a day. The program prepares youth for full independence and helps them find and maintain a daily routine of school, work, volunteering and/or parenting.
Transition to Independence homes include all this support plus overnight awake staff for additional safety and support.
Our Supported Independent Living includes:
- A focus on First Nations, Métis and Inuit programming that helps youth increase their awareness and abilities in their culture. Connection to the youth’s home community is encouraged.
- A Cultural Resource Coordinator to provide individual support and cultural opportunities including monthly sweats, weekly sharing circles and access to community Elders and cultural helpers.
- Support for life skill development, including apartment hunting, shopping for household goods and groceries, fire and safety precautions, meal preparation and food storage, budgeting, job searching, goal setting, sexuality and accessing community resources.
- Money for rent and utilities, food, transportation, personal incidentals, clothing, laundry and recreation. A personal service plan developed for each individual with a focus on positive achievement of goals.
Drives & Supervised visits
Drives
Our Drive Program provides safe transportation and appropriate supervision to and from appointment and home visits. Safe transportation options with trained drivers in clean, well-maintained vehicles, prevents, reduces or eliminates factors that may place a family or individual at risk.
All our drivers are trained in emergency response, first aid, non-violent crisis intervention, suicide intervention and medication administration.
Supervised Visits
Spirit’s Supervised Visits ensure a safe and supportive environment for children and their family during a visit with significant people in their lives.
Visits facilitate access to non-residential parents, grandparents, siblings and extended family and other significant persons. Safe and positive relationships are nurtured.
Spirit visit supervisors are trained to assist and mentor participants, allowing parents to “try out” some of the parenting strategies they are learning.
Visit supervisors monitor visits and may end a visit if there are any safety concerns for the child/youth or if the person being visited is under the influence of drugs or alcohol or at the request of the child/youth in their care.
- Activities that promote social/emotional /physical development to build competence and self-worth.
- Connection to community resources and support networks.
- Life skills assessment and education for employment and independent living.
- Liaison to family, school and community.
- Crisis mediation and conflict resolution interventions.
- Trauma support for youth attending court.
SPECIALIZED STAFF & SERVICES
Staff
Cultural Resource Coordinator
The Cultural Resource Coordinator oversees cultural teachings, ceremonies, and activities and supports youth in times of crisis and challenge.
The Cultural Resource Coordinator supports youth with their transition into programs and helps them improve their communication and relationships with family members and the community.
Our qualified and caring staff are fully trained in:
- First Aid/Level C CPR
- Suicide Intervention
- Self-Harm Intervention
- Non-Violent Crisis Intervention
- Medication Administration
- FASD Focus
- Trauma Informed Care
- Aboriginal Awareness and Diversity Training
Services
Monthly Reporting
Staff complete monthly reports on goals progress, activities and strengths. The monthly reports include Signs of Safety plans.
We are based in Edmonton, Alberta but accept referrals from across Canada.
Spirit of Our Youth and WJS Canada
Spirit of Our Youth is a division of WJS Canada . WJS Canada provides a wide range of programs and services to children and families across the country.
