MYS Programs:

Male and female youth 10 to 18 years of age. The vast majority of youth referred to Specialized Individual Placement Services (SIP) have been identified by many collateral systems as the most difficult youth with the highest needs. They have experienced a great deal of trauma as a result of physical, sexual, emotional abuse, neglect and abandonment, violence, drug and alcohol abuse and multiple placements, ADHD and / or FASD. It is not uncommon that SIP is the last option for treatment. All youth present with a myriad of bio-psychosocial emotional and mental health challenges that are complex and co-occurring.

We believe that healthy relationships are the foundation for life affirming changes and growth, which endorse opportunity for self-determination. Recognizing and respecting the distinctive socio-cultural needs of youth, family and community, SIP promotes physical, emotional, mental and spiritual well-being through a youth-centered, strength based approaches. SIP maintains that empowered individuals are the experts on their own lives, knowing and wanting what's best for themselves and those they care for.

Given the high needs of the youth entering SIP, it is critical that they are placed in community-based settings individually or with low numbers of co-residents and are provided with one to one or even two-to-one staffing.

The Specialized Individual Program uses a strengths approach in working with their youth. This approach is an alternative to models that focus on deficits and pathology. We use a different perspective, a different way of looking at people, individuals and communities. We see the adolescents' capacities, talents, visions, values and hopes. We help them to define their goals and work towards achieving them. The goal planning which must be owned by the youth to have true meaning is vital to achieving desired outcomes for the individual.

Life Plans, goal setting to daily life programming and supervision is carried out through strength based approaches tailored to meet the identified strengths and needs of the youth. The overall clinical approach comprises a combination of clinical models that are congruent with a strengths approach to treatment. The approach stresses the importance of uniqueness, human value and individual responsibility focusing on relationship building as a key ingredient in successful treatment.

The Specialized Individual Placements Service (SIP) operates 7 homes located in Winnipeg, an Independent Living with Supports Program (ILS) for 10 to 12 youth and has the ability to develop one bed homes to meet the needs of adolescents who need 24 hour supervision, one to one (two-to-one) staff supervision and who for, various reasons, should not be placed with other youth.

The Independent Living with Supports Program (ILS) is designed to address the needs of youth who are fast approaching adulthood. The youth are established in their own apartments with staffing and programming designed to their specific needs. Staffing hours can vary greatly; 8-16 hours a day to 20 hours a week. Efforts and preparation are geared towards developing the capacity of the youth to meet the many life stressors and challenges incurred upon the age of majority. This program will maintain our youth past the age of 18 through adult services.

The SIP Program is located at 686 Portage Avenue and offers a whole range of services for both SIP and ILS youth. SIP has Life Skills Coaches providing individual and group work in coping skills, daily living and independent living skills, job search, resumes and therapeutic groups on anger management and sexuality. SIP also employs an accrediated Teacher.

The Work Program also operates out of the SIP office and is designed to provide experiential learning opportunities for youth in Independent Living and SIP youth who are having difficulties in securing gainful employment for any number of reasons. The Work Program is intended to supplement and enhance the existing programming offered to the youth in the care of Specialized Individual Placements and is an extension of the Life Skills Programming offered via Independent Living with support (ILS). Each youth in our care is afforded every opportunity to explore their full employment potential, in a safe, respectful and positive learning environment.

SIP provides community-based care for youth. The staff team facilitates and supports the physical, emotional, mental and spiritual growth of youth by promoting a nurturing, safe, non-judgmental, and predictable environment. Through relationships SIP attempts to discover and support the unique strengths and goals of youth. The team is committed to extending opportunities for self-determination wherein youths’ strengths can flourish and goals for a more satisfying life can be met. SIP is dedicated to providing ongoing training to skilled and responsive staff in order to meet the diverse needs of youth. in a respectful and dignified manner.

As team members, in keeping with the policies and treatment philosophy of MYS, the youth care workers are trained to carry out their responsibilities within the context of the vision and purpose statements of the Specialized Individual Placement Services. This means all responsibilities are carried out within a youth centered, strength based framework that promotes the cultivation and mobilization of youth strengths, potentials and capacity for growth. All staff are also trained in Non Violent, First Aid / CPR, suicide intervention, colonization, FAS/FAE, ADHD, ADD and counseling techniques

Program services include a Clinical Supervisor, Full Time Therapists, Life Skills & Cultural Coaches, Educator and a Consulting Psychiatrist who can manage mental health services including medications for youth not already receiving such support.

Location: For further information regarding the Specialized Individual Placements Service, please contact: