Youth reconnect program guide: An early intervention approach to preventing youth homelessness
This report from Gaetz et al. describes Youth Reconnect, a community-based early intervention program aimed at preventing or reducing homelessness in youth aged 13–24. The program works by strengthening the connections to family, community and school among those at risk, and is part of a larger youth homelessness prevention strategy.
Program elements, objectives and case examples
The report presents key program elements and objectives, case examples of Youth Reconnect in Canada and a comparable program in Australia. It also outlines the necessary conditions for implementing similar early intervention strategies for interested communities. The authors highlight collaborative partnerships between service providers, educators, policy professionals and youth as essential to successful implementation.
Key elements of Youth Reconnect included the following:
- Keeping young people in their communities
- Stabilizing young people’s living situations
- Supporting young people and their families
- Enhancing young people’s engagement at school
Considerations for implementing early intervention strategies
To help other communities interested in developing similar early intervention strategies, the report outlines important considerations for implementation (p12–20):
- Rights-based approaches
- Youth-centered services with individualized supports
- Positive youth development
- Timely and flexible supports
- Cultural and contextual competency
- Working with Indigenous youth
- Partnerships and Collaboration
The report also provides tips for interested communities to get started with a Youth Reconnect program.
Use this resource to:
- explore examples of successful early intervention programs;
- understand the benefits of community partnerships for developing early intervention programs; and
- consider health equity approaches for guiding implementation.
Reference
Gaetz, S., Morton, E., Borato, M. & Story, C. (2020). Youth Reconnect Program Guide: An Early Intervention Approach to Preventing Youth Homelessness. Toronto, ON: Canadian Observatory on Homelessness Press and A Way Home Canada.