Youth Services
The youth programs are designed to provide long term, internationally accredited, provincially licensed, residential programming for male and female youth – ages 12 – 17 inclusively – experiencing a variety of substance use and/or co-occurring mental health problems.
Using the therapeutic community model, members are offered graduated opportunities that will equip them with the necessary vocational, intellectual and communicative skill for successful reintegration into society, allowing them to be free of addictive behaviours. Emphasis of the program is placed on promoting healthy living and teaching members how to make positive lifestyle choices.
Mental Health
BHF embraces the principles of the Co-occurring Disorders Initiative (CODI) – a project jointly sponsored by the Addictions Foundation of Manitoba (AFM), eleven regional health authorities in Manitoba, and Manitoba Health/Healthy Living – and is a CODI capable facility. Residents are screened for mental health problems, in addition to the routine screening of substance use.
Healthy Living
One of the primary goals of treatment is to expose residents to healthy living routines. Residents are taught the importance of healthy living and how it relates to long-term mental and physical health.
Dietary
Meals at BHF adhere to the Canada Food Guide. Residents are educated as to the long term results of poor dietary choices, including risk factors for diabetes, cancer and cardiovascular disease.
Education and/or Work Experience
Furthering education is a priority and to this end several options are available. These include on-site special needs classrooms, local schools, and individual tutoring.
For those youth unable to make a commitment to furthering their education, the work experience program provides on-site training with subsequent referral to community training programs and employment. Specialized daily routines involving a combination of education and work experience may also be developed based on individual needs.
Educational Seminars
In addition to structured time spent in pursuing education and/or employment, the program also offers seminars in Substance Abuse Awareness, Assertiveness Training, Anger Management, Healthy Sexuality, Abuse Awareness, Family Violence, Life Skills Training, Self Harming, Bullying and Coping with Grief and Loss. Youth are enrolled in these sessions depending on their needs as identified in their treatment plans. Certificates are provided upon completion.
Aboriginal Teachings and Traditions
The practice of traditions in the Aboriginal culture is seen as a way of life, which is to be lived daily and passed on to future generations.
For those who wish to participate, Aboriginal cultural programming is offered. Ceremonies are the primary vehicle for the expression of traditions and include, but are not limited to pipe ceremonies, naming ceremonies, moon ceremonies, traditional Pow Wow, sweat lodges and other ceremonies. Elders are available to facilitate the above ceremonies. Craft sessions and talking circles are facilitated by the Youth Treatment/Support Workers and/or the Director of Aboriginal Services.
Visit Aboriginal Cultural Activities for more information about our Aboriginal cultural programming.
Recreation and Leisure
Helping youth develop new and/or more appropriate social skills and encouraging new interests is also emphasized. In order to allow youth to practice newly acquired skills, a significant portion of every week is devoted to both on and off-site leisure activities. With the support of Youth Treatment/Support Workers and peers, youth are encouraged to practice new skills and develop new interests, which will contribute to an addiction-free lifestyle.
Program Locations
The Male and Female Youth Services programs reside at two different locations. The Male Youth Services treatment program is located just north of Selkirk, MB, while the Female Youth Services treatment program is located at BHF’s primary location in St. Norbert, MB.
Program Length
The recommended length of stay for the youth program is a minimum of 4 to 6 months.
Contacting Youth Services
To contact a particular program, please utilize one of the following methods:
Male Youth Program
1147 Breezy Point Road
Selkirk, MB R1A 1A7
Telephone: (204) 482-9712
Fax: (204) 482-9717
Email: johnm@bhf.ca
Female Youth Program
Box 250, 35B ave de la Digue
St. Norbert, MB R3V 1L6
Telephone : (204) 269-3430
Fax : (204) 275-2099
Email: jenniferl@bhf.ca
You may also contact either program by emailing info@bhf.ca.
