Projects

YWHO Projects & Initiatives

YWHO has worked closely with various partners, local community service providers, and subject experts to develop innovative solutions, implement best practices, and provide culturally and age-appropriate YWHO programming.

YWHO projects and initiatives are implemented across local Hub Networks to improve the quality of service, equity of care, and processes for data collection of YWHO services, youth and family experiences, and more.

A core component of the YWHO model is that all programs and projects must be co-developed with youth and families. This ensures our services strive to meet the needs of those receiving them.

Projects and Initiatives

Below are a few of the current YWHO projects and initiatives that are being, or already have been, implemented:

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YWHO Virtual Hub

YWHO Virtual Hub is a web-based service platform where young people aged 12 to 25 years of age can receive virtual access to high quality, integrated mental health and well-being services.
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My Wellness Passport (MWP) Scale-Up Initiative

The My Wellness Passport (MWP) Scale-Up Initiative focuses on expanding the use of YWHO’s data collection platform, My Wellness Passport.
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PreVenture

PreVenture is an evidence-based prevention program that uses targeted interventions based on personalities to promote mental health and delay substance use among youth (aged 12-18).
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Indigenous Youth Programming

YWHO provides culturally relevant mental health and substance use support for First Nations, Inuit and Métis youth.
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Lift Program

YWHO is dedicated to improving the overall wellbeing of young people in Ontario. This includes providing social services, employment support and education opportunities.
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Eating Disorder Early Intervention Pilot Program

Eating disorders (EDs) are increasingly common among young people. Specialized services for ED can be difficult to access due to limited availability and long waitlists. To provide care for youth experiencing eating-related concerns and reduce their risk of long-term consequences, an Early Intervention for Eating Disorders (EIED) Pilot Program was developed for implementation in YWHO. Funded by the Ministry of Health, our pilot program has been implemented in two YWHO Networks. The service pathway was co-designed with input from subject matter experts, including youth and families. The program model is not based on diagnosis, and clinicians identify appropriate interventions based on screening results with the IOI-S, symptom severity, and youth readiness. Youth and family engagement are key components at every stage of service delivery, and we have an active youth and family advisory who provide ongoing guidance to the program. 

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Enhancing Health Equity

The Enhancing Health Equity in Integrated Youth Services (EHE-IYS) project strengthens services for equity-deserving youth across Ontario, including Black, Indigenous, racialized, newcomer, 2SLGBTQIA+, neurodiverse, rural, and under-housed youth, as well as youth at risk of trafficking or experiencing housing insecurity. 

The project supports 14 YWHO Hub Networks across six Ontario Health Regions to partner with local community organizations with expertise supporting diverse youth and creating additional roles to build capacity to provide more tailored care for underserved equity-deserving youth. 

The EHE-IYS Project is made possible through a 5-year Youth Mental Health Fund (YMHF) grant provided by Health Canada. 

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Gender-Based Violence

Gender-based violence (GBV) is a significant public health issue that is closely connected to youth mental health and substance use. Funded by the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services, the YWHO GBV project is being implemented across 10 YWHO networks to strengthen how integrated youth services prevent and respond to GBV among youth ages 12–25. Key components of the project are capacity building and fostering community partnerships. 

Co-designed with youth, service providers, subject matter experts and network partners, the GBV Service Pathway focuses on prevention, universal education, and early intervention. This includes individual and group programming, sharing information about relationships, safety, and support with all youth, and connecting youth to timely support. 

The project incorporates ongoing youth guidance through the GBV Youth Advisory Council to improve access to low-barrier, trauma- and violence-informed, youth-centered GBV support. 

Enhancing our Core Services

YWHO's projects and initiatives listed above showcase some of the ways YWHO is working to enhance our core services offered throughout the province. These initiatives are in addition to YWHO’s menu of core services offered at every hub for young people. They provide services for youth with more specialized needs so that they can get the specific care they need.

To learn more about YWHO's core services and where to find your local hub, click the links below.

Learn about YWHO’s core services

Find your youth hub