Across the country, governments, police, lawyers, judges and community groups are working in close partnership with communities and families to prevent youth involvement in the criminal justice system and to ensure a fair and effective youth justice system. The Government of Canada is pleased to support the innovative work done by its partners to help support youth who have been in conflict with the law.
Today, the Honourable David Lametti, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada; Chad Collins, Member of Parliament for Hamilton East-Stoney Creek; and Kim Gibson-Chalmers, Manager of Youth Services from the John Howard Society of Hamilton, Burlington & Area announced the Government of Canada's support for their Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) Youth Justice Program. The goal of this program is to support youth engaged in the justice system who have been diagnosed with, or are believed to be affected by, FASD.
Through this funding, the John Howard Society of Hamilton, Burlington & Area will:
- provide individualized case management and support services to youth aged 12 to 17, who have been diagnosed with, or are believed to be affected by, FASD.
- work with family members and caregivers to help them build support systems for themselves and their youth.
- increase diversion and alternatives to custody programming, which will allow more youth to stay out of custody and out of the formal youth criminal justice system.
- foster and strengthen collaborative relationships between the various agencies and service providers working with youth impacted by FASD in Hamilton and Burlington.
The Department of Justice is providing the John Howard Society of Hamilton, Burlington & Area, $600,000 over four years, through the Youth Justice Fund.
