What is Youth Connect?

Youth Connect is a pilot initiative serving clients from Scarborough Youth Court. Designed to test innovative, new and enhanced community-based responses to youthful offending outside of the traditional criminal justice system, Youth Connect focuses on supporting young people to improve their functioning in school and jobs, develop skills and address factors that have contributed to their committing criminal offences.

This program will try to each address young person's personal factors in through individualized case management, assessments and planning -- such as gender, cultural background, language and learning styles. The program's model directly supports the fundamental principles and objectives of the Youth Criminal Justice Act.

Eligibility

Young persons who have been charged with an offense under the Youth Criminal Justice Act and have been screened or are being considered for Extra-Judicial Sanctions (EJS) can be referred to Youth Connect for case planning.

Direct referrals can be made to Youth Connect through the Crown Attorney or Probation EJS Coordinator at Scarborough Court. This is done by:

Pre-Diversion Assessments:
A report is prepared by Youth Connect at the request of Probation Services in cases where more information is required by the Crown Attorney prior to determining diversion.