January 29, 1999
(Health and Community Services)

Improved services for youth

Joan Marie Aylward, Minister of Health and Community Services, announced today another initiative under the $10.15 million National Child Benefit (NCB) Reinvestment Plan which will expand mental health and residential services and support services for youth.

Minister Aylward said: "This initiative will see a total of $710,000 this year being allocated to Health and Community Services and integrated health boards throughout Newfoundland and Labrador." This funding will allow boards to begin to address the need for expanded mental health services, a need which has been identified and lobbied for by both the local branch of the Canadian Mental Health Association and those who receive the services.

"In keeping with the provincial Strategic Social Plan, this direction follows a prevention and early intervention model," said the minister. "It fills some of the gaps in services to youth 16 and 17 years old, which were evident under the old Child Welfare legislation."

The residential and support services component will target youth aged 16 and 17 who under existing child welfare legislation do not receive services unless they have been in the care of the Director of Child Welfare prior to their 16th birthday. The monies will be used by the boards for both direct services and for activities aimed at identifying future program and service requirements.

These programs are a component of the broader community youth network initiative announced by government earlier this year under the NCB Reinvestment Plan.

"These initiatives demonstrate government's continued commitment to respond in a meaningful way to the needs of children, youth, and families throughout Newfoundland and Labrador," said Minister Aylward.

Media contact: Beverly Warford, (709) 729-6296.

1999 01 29 2:20 p.m.