Building Resilience Through Collaboration conference

November 4th, 2013Presented by: Erika Morton

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A “coming together” of community in order to build community and support with population of youth who are marginalized, highly vulnerable and excluded.

As well, to promote opportunities and resources as should be available for all youth to tap into their motivation, skills and abilities and build upon their resilience

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Share processes for bringing systems and stakeholders together and developing models of collaboration

Inform on how community development work can improve the capacity of a community to respond to complex issues and trends

Discover ways to develop a comprehensive, coordinated continuum of care which responds to the unique needs of youth

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"In the context of exposure to significant adversity, resilience is both the capacity of individuals to navigate their way to the psychological, social, cultural, and physical resources that sustain their well-being, and their capacity individually and collectively to negotiate for these resources to be provided in culturally meaningful ways.“

http://www.resilienceresearch.org/

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This definition shifts our understanding of resilience from an individual concept, popular with western-trained researchers and human services providers, to a more culturally embedded understanding of well-being. Understood this way, resilience is a social construct that identifies both processes and outcomes associated with what people themselves term 'well-being'. It makes explicit that resilience is more likely to occur when we provide the services, supports, and health resources that make it more likely for every child to do well in ways that are meaningful to the individual, his or her family, and the community. In this sense, resilience is the result of both successful navigation to resources and negotiation for resources to be provided in meaningful ways.

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“The term collaboration is used to describe a group of people working together to reach a common goal…An inter-organization collaboration brings together separate organization that share common goals, visions and strategies for action…”

Within the stage of full collaboration, a participative and inclusive planning process is developed in order to move diverse organizations and members towards collective action. This strategy is important as it helps members of the collaboration to build trust and find common ground (Ontario Healthy Communities Coalition-OHCC, 2012).

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1. Positive Change Makers2. Shared Vision3. Common Goals4. Trust Building5. Rapport/Relationship Building6. Effective Communication7. Planning8. Commitment9. Decision Making Process10. Leadership11. Technology

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A snapshot of research on youth homelessness◦ 33% of youth have Major Depressive Disorder or PTSD◦ Up to 60% have multiple diagnoses◦ 20-40% of youth on the streets have fled homes following

“coming out” and facing homophobia/transphobia◦ More than 50% report substance abuse◦ Youth experiencing homelessness have much higher rates of

suicide attempts that less vulnerable youth◦ www.raisingtheroof.org

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Directors from street-involved youth agencies have a long history of ad-hoc communication

Over ten years ago, a group of service providers began meeting formally in order to address community gaps

Separated the directors and front line staff to enhance communication

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The directors table partnered with the SPRC in 2004 to develop a community plan that would address the needs of street-involved and homeless youth

In October 2005, the Addressing the Needs document was released

The subsequent recommendation implementation phase helped us understand how the three stakeholder groups would work together

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Mission Statement: The SYPC strives to advocate for, support and facilitate an enhanced, seamless system of services for street-involved and homeless youth.

DirectorsCommittee

Front Line

Advisory Committee

Youth Leaders

Committee

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Addressing the Needs of Street-Involved and Homeless Youth in Hamilton (October 2005)

Strategic Planning Sessions Monthly Planning Meetings Dedicated Community Development Support

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The collaboration model-3 stakeholder groups Commitment to systems planning; systems level

perspective Documentation of community conversations and use

of research in work Community development support Action oriented and gets work done Increase of the profile and community awareness

around street-involved youth issues

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HPS Project Youth Outreach Workers of Hamilton project Angela’s Place and Wesley Youth Housing transitional housing

projects Weekend Open Access Support The Addressing the Needs report and subsequent Interim

Project Check-In Increased capacity and training for front-line staff Increased mental health services, including clinical services

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Time Balancing inclusiveness and getting work done Working with diverse agencies A funding climate that expects collaboration but does

not foster it Meaningfully valuing the perspective of front line staff

and youth

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How the SYPC is collaborating to address the housing needs of street-involved and

homeless youth in Hamilton

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Housing as a “Door Way”o Mental health concernso Addictionso Young parentso Youth Justice System Involvemento Lack of family supporto History of abuseo Lack of incomeo Lack of life skills

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2005 - Addressing the Needs Report and Executive Summary We learned about the housing needs, best practices and

gaps in services Also learned about the connections between the system

of services for homeless youth and child welfare 2008 - After Care Worker Project

SYPC and CAS/CCAS partnered for an aftercare worker project to support youth to maintain housing

Supported youth moving between the 2 child welfare systems

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2008 After Care Worker Project Evaluation ◦ The report captured the project’s successes and

the need for services 2009 - Building Collaboration Report

◦ Identified strengths and areas for growth between the child welfare and street involved youth service sectors

A stronger partnership between the SYPC and child welfare agencies led to the development of a project that would bridge the gaps in housing support for street-involved and homeless youth

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YHST model – flexible, community-based, resources, teamwork

Collaboration – information sharing, problem solving

Angela’s Place and Wesley Youth Housing Program staff – one on one support

Collaboration support

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Commitment to collaboration Prioritizing youth Engaging different levels of staff On going communication SPRC’s Collaboration Support

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Shortage of affordable housing stock Income system with inadequate support Sustainable Funding

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Commitment to collaboration Prioritizing youth Engaging different levels of staff On going communication Collaboration support

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How effective is our collaboration work? How are we addressing the needs of street-

involved and homeless youth in Hamilton

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leadership in community, appropriate membership, development of clear roles, open and frequent communication, concrete and attainable goals and

objectives, clear decision-making process, adaptability, commitment, self-interest, unique purpose

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Joint training and education Team Building Service planning (front line services) Project development and enhancement Relationship Building (across sectors) Systems level perspective

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High level of services for youth Services that are connected Knowledge sharing and relationship building

= capacity building within services Overall improvement to youth service

system in the community Reduced competition for resources

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Interviews with 6 youth (and 1 infant!) about their housing journeys

http://youtu.be/CQHkx4BNV-U

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On being navigators and negotiators◦ Conor◦ Alex◦ Anna ◦ Eve

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What it looks like ◦ Impacting Individuals, Systems, the Community

Outcomes◦ Identify the specific issue◦ Start to build an awareness and profile

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What it looks like ◦ Bring together service providers, sectors, service

users

Outcomes◦ Enhancing communication◦ Establishing a network◦ Relationship building

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What it looks like ◦ Community based research

Outcomes◦ Fulfilling Knowledge gaps◦ Aware of scope, prevalence of issue◦ Platform for Action-build on strengths and address

gaps◦ Evidence!

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What it looks like ◦ A community plan, or strategic road map for next

steps

Outcomes◦ Comprehensive approach to a complex issue◦ Concrete directions and actions to take◦ A workplan!

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What it looks like ◦ Stakeholders are engaged, either offering

funding, resources, knowledge, commitment…◦ Community development support

Outcomes◦ Stronger ability to take action and make change

and progress in the community

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Thank you to the Government of Canada for their generous support

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For more information about the SYPC or YHSP please contact me at:

emorton@sprc.hamilton.on.ca 905-522-1148 ext 303 Follow us on Twitter at @SYPCHamOnt

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