Strengthening our evidence-based and evidence-informed practices, optimizes outcomes for children and youth

The Intensive Support and Supervision Program (ISSP) is a treatment-focused, community-based, alternative to custody for youth 12 to 17 years of age who are in conflict with the law and have significant mental health issues.

Each youth is aligned with a treatment team and receives a comprehensive assessment and evidence-based psychotherapy, which is designed to target the specific mental health needs of the youth, while assisting them to build their capacity to live productive lives.

The program provides intensive treatment services to youth to help participants to develop healthy relationships, identify pro-social activities, and build life skills and autonomy so the youth can become a responsible contributor to their community. Community support needs are also integrated into the program. Kinark currently offers ISSP in York, Peel, Simcoe, Dufferin, and Halton.

When asked about what parts of the ISSP program were most helpful to them, youth responded:

“Talking about my issues and finding ways to deal with them.”

“Supportive and understanding workers.”

“What was most helpful for me was the consistency and frequency. The therapist comes often but it helps move your therapy along faster.”

What clients and families said about us:

Overall, participants were very satisfied with their experience with ISSP:

of respondents reported feeling heard, respected, and treated fairly by ISSP staff. They felt that they were included in treatment planning and were supported to make life changes.

100%

of respondents believed that ISSP had helped them address their issues, and their participation in the program led to positive life changes.

100%

An evaluation of the program revealed that participants experienced reductions in criminogenic risks/needs and emotion regulation difficulties during their time in ISSP.