Call for Youth Advisory and Caregiver Advisory Committee Members

The New Dawn Centre in Sydney will soon be home to CBRM’s first Integrated Youth Services (IYS) site – one of 8 sites announced by the Office of Mental Health and Addictions in April 2024.

New Dawn, as the lead agency, in collaboration with coalition partners Undercurrent, BGC Cape Breton, and the Cape Breton Youth Project, is calling for interested community members to join a Youth Advisory Committee and a Caregiver Advisory Committee. Youth and caregiver input is essential to the successful development of a local IYS site that fits the needs of Sydney youth (aged 12-25) and their caregivers.

Integrated Youth Services is a model that has been deployed across Canada and is federally supported. It offers a wholistic approach to make sure young people get the right care and services for their overall health and wellbeing. In Nova Scotia, the IWK is the provincial leadership organization responsible for rolling out IYS.

To learn more about Integrated Youth Services in Nova Scotia visit: https://iwkhealth.ca/iys.

One of the core principles of IYS is that youth and caregivers are equals at the table alongside clinicians, providers and implementers; that they are involved early and throughout. As such, New Dawn is establishing a Youth Advisory Committee and Caregiver Advisory Committee. These groups are expected to meet 6 times each between January and October 2025 for 1.5 hours each to provide input on the design of the space at 37 Nepean Street, the services youth and caregivers will be able to access, and programs that will be offered at IYS Sydney.

The first meetings of the YAC and CAC are anticipated to take place the week of January 13, 2025. To express interest in joining one of these committees, please submit your information at the links below:

Youth Advisory Committee (age 12-25)

Caregiver Advisory Committee

Previous experience on a committee is NOT required. Please note there are limited spots available. Snacks and refreshments will be provided. Ask us if travel is a barrier for you!

All inquiries about the Youth and Caregiver Advisory Committees or the IYS-Sydney project can be directed to Amanda Rae at: [email protected].