The Algoma Model
The Algoma Model: A collaborative, school- and community-based approach to child and youth problem behaviour and mental health issues
In the past several years, Algoma Model has partnered with Ontario 211. The same services and supports for youth in our communities once provided on the Algoma Model website, can now be found and accessed by using the Ontario 211 database and search engine. 211 helps to connect individuals, families, colleagues and community partners to the services they are looking for, for themselves, family members and/or clients. The 211 service is available by phone and online 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, in over 150 languages.
Development of The Algoma Model:
In 2009, school boards and social service providers in the Algoma District came together to develop a collaborative / integrated service delivery model that used schools as “hubs of opportunity” to support the mental health of children and youth through a comprehensive range of natural supports, targeted interventions, specialized treatment, and crisis services. As part of the Cluster 13 Student Support Leadership Initiative through the Ministry of Child and Youth Services and the Ministry of Education, this partnership model was launched as “The Algoma Model” – a population health approach to implementing a full continuum of integrated supports and services that reduced barriers to learning, enhanced students’ mental health, and built resilience.
In 2009, school boards and social service providers in the Algoma District came together to develop a collaborative / integrated service delivery model that used schools as “hubs of opportunity” to support the mental health of children and youth through a comprehensive range of natural supports, targeted interventions, specialized treatment, and crisis services. As part of the Cluster 13 Student Support Leadership Initiative through the Ministry of Child and Youth Services and the Ministry of Education, this partnership model was launched as “The Algoma Model” – a population health approach to implementing a full continuum of integrated supports and services that reduced barriers to learning, enhanced students’ mental health, and built resilience.
Leadership for this project was shared between Algoma Family Services (AFS), the Algoma District School Board (ADSB) and the Huron Superior Catholic District School Board (HSCDSB). Funding to support coordination of this initiative was extended from 2009 through to 2012 in order to continue strengthening the school-based partnerships moving forward, and included work with the French school boards.
In 2010, the Cluster 13 Student Leadership Support Initiative unveiled the Algoma Model website. The website portal was developed to assist in searching key services, supports and resources in the areas of community mental health and well-being of school-aged children and youth in the Algoma region.
The portal brought together over 100 community partners and shared the resources and services they each offered to promote and support positive behavior, well-being, and mental health of children and youth in the Algoma Region. Cumulatively, this was a database of thousands of supports.