Mental health services for Sarnia-Lambton's youth are getting a significant boost, thanks to a $900,000 contribution from the Judith and Norman Alix Foundation.
The money allows for the creation of the Intensive Outreach Treatment (IOT) Program, which is a three year pilot project that will launch in January 2025.
St. Clair Child and Youth Services (SCCYS) will be spearheading the program, working with a number of community partners including Sarnia-Lambton Rebound and the Lambton Kent District School Board.
SCCYS Executive Director Craig McKenzie said the goal of the mobile IOT program is to treat kids who are in crisis, where and when they need it. This will make services more accessible and personalized.
He adds the organization has seen a 25 per cent increase in children and youth with complex mental health needs over the past four years.
"It really is an exciting time for us, with the support of the Alix Foundation, to really make this investment into kids in our community, we know kids are in crisis," said McKenzie. "We want to serve 30 children during the program's first year. It may not seem like a big number but the level and intensity of this service is really going to have an impact. Our goal is to keep kids out of the emergency department or high-cost institutional care. We think we can do better, and this really focuses on the needs of kids and families."
McKenzie said they'll be doing some hiring in the coming months to complement the initiative.
"We'll be bringing in new therapists as well as adding additional psychologist support, and child and youth practitioners," he said. "It really is an exciting time for St. Clair Child and Youth and our partners."
McKenzie is hopeful the program will last for more than the three year pilot, but that will be dependent upon securing additional funding.
Sarnia-Lambton Rebound's role will be to offer help through a new Enhanced Mental Health Respite Program, offered in partnership with the public school board.
Rebound Executive Director Michelle Holbrook said they're pleased to be part of the program.
"This is an incredible opportunity for the youth and families in our community, and it absolutely wouldn't have happened without the Alix Foundation and the leadership from St. Clair Child and Youth," said Holbrook. "Rebound has always been around for young people to help them with whatever they need. The mental health respite program is going to look a little different. It's a little more skill-building focused and intensive as part of the team. We'll be teaching skills and then going into the community to ensure the kids have the opportunity to practice those skills and build them up so they're more well equipped."
Judith and Norman Alix Foundation President Joe Alix is pleased to be able to help.
"During the past four or five years, the world has been turned upside down because of COVID, and unfortunately the youth have suffered the most because of that," said Alix. "They were isolated, and not able to go to school. We see a big, big problem with the youth today compared to before because of many factors in this world. Youth are fragile minds, and not able to deal with drastic change like many of us can do. At the Judith and Norman Alix Foundation, we believe that the stronger we make our youth, the better off we'll be. We are honoured to be able to support the IOT program. We're at the bottom of the hill right now, but we're trying to make huge strides in the coming future to make it to the top of the hill."
According to its website, the foundation, which launched in 2011, has helped complete 27 community projects, while donating over $4.6 million to various organizations across Lambton County.