YES Program
The Youth Extended Services (YES) Program provides youth in the care of the Director of Child Protection and youth who have aged out of care of the Director of Child Protection (up to age 21) with a variety of supports to assist with the successful transition to adulthood.
Who is this program for?
To quality for this program, youth must be:
- Between the ages of 14-17 and in the care of the Director of Child Protection in Prince Edward ISland, OR between the ages of 18-21 and were in the care of the Director of Child Protection in Prince Edward Island until immediately before their 18th birthday.
This is a voluntary program; youth can choose to participate and may exit the program at any time.
How does the YES Program work?
Youth in the YES Program are supported by a dedicated YES Coach. The Coach's goal is to help the youth build core skills and a network of support that will help them grow into positive and healthy members of society. The Coaches will engage the youth in the process by giving them a voice and a choice in the activities they work on. Coaches work directly with the youth and together they come up with an individualized plan, based on the youth's specific needs.
The core skills of the YES Program are based on the Equitable Standards for Transitions to Adulthood for Youth in Care, developed by the National Council of Youth in Care Advocates and Dr. Melanie Doucet with support from the Child Welfare League of Canada (CWLC). Examples of these supports include:
- Employment
- Housing
- Education
- Health
- Finance
- Conflict resolution
- Building and maintaining position relationships
- Advocacy
- Cultural/Spirituality
- Creating a positive network of support
What can I expect from participating in the YES Program?
Your coach will work with you to identify the skills you wish to build through the YES program. Some examples include:
- Mock interviews
- Time management
- Transit training
- Meal planning
- Budgeting
- Creating connections to community resources
What are the benefits of participating in the YES Program?
The YES Program provides young people with an individualized, structured and supported transition into adulthood. It is based on theories of positive youth development, along with harm reduction, experiential learning, and trauma-informed care.
How do I contact the YES Program?
For more information, please contact:
Karrie MacDougall, YES Program Supervisor
902-370-8147
kfmacdougall@ihis.org