Child and Youth Counselling Program Evaluation
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The purpose of the evaluation was to determine how effective the CYC program and its implementation in all NWT schools and communities has been. The GNWT wants to improve access to mental health and wellness supports to ensure programs and services are meeting the needs of all NWT students, youth and families.
The Department of Education, Culture and Employment (ECE) retained the services of a third-party contractor, DPRA Canada Inc., to lead the evaluation. Between February and April 2023, DPRA interviewed volunteers – students, youth and families who have used the CYC program – as well as people who have not accessed the program but have ideas about, or experiences in, accessing and improving mental health supports for children and youth.
Background
Child and Youth Counsellors are placed in NWT schools/communities that have more than 75 students (37 schools), and a contracted itinerant/travelling mental health support team provides service to schools with fewer than 75 students (12 schools). The contracted itinerant mental health support team provides three one-week visits per year to each of the 12 small community schools, and provides virtual service between visits.
The CYC program is a partnered initiative between the Departments of Education, Culture and Employment, Health and Social Services, the Northwest Territories Health and Social Services Authority (NTHSSA), Tłı̨chǫ Community Services Agency (TCSA), Hay River Health and Social Services Authority, 10 regional education authorities, and 49 schools.
The CYC initiative was launched in the 2018-2019 school year in two regions, the Dehcho and Tłįchǫ. In the 2019-2020 academic year, the initiative was launched in the Sahtu and Beaufort Delta regions. Implementation in the Yellowknife region (comprised of Yellowknife, Dettah and Ndilǫ) occurred in the 2020-2021 school year. In the 2021-2022 school year, the CYC initiative was established in the South Slave region, which marked the final year of the four-year implementation of the CYC program in all NWT schools.
The NWT Help Line offers free, confidential mental health support to NWT residents 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Call the help line at 1-800-661-0844, visit your local health centre, or call 911 in an emergency.
Next Steps
The engagement period closed on April 30, 2023.
In October 2023, the GNWT announced a redesign of the CYC Initiative that would see partial funding for the program reallocated to Education Bodies so they can provide mental health supports for children and youth directly in schools, particularly for prevention and intervention services.
DPRA’s final report, published in February 2024, found that the CYC Initiative was in large part working for children and youth in the NWT and offered 42 recommendations to improve the services.
