Collaboration In Child Youth Service Delivery The Nova Scotia Experience

History • Pre 1995 – a number of committees – limited impact

• The CAYAC experience – first formalized structure – numerous successes and challenges – formal review commissioned after 10 years

• Post CAYAC – restructured organization – CYSPC – clear reporting, responsibility and accountability lines

CAYAC • Committee of senior officials (ADM level) – from Community Services, Education, Justice, Health and Health Promotion and Protection Departments – ad hoc reporting to committee of Deputy Ministers – collective funding (+ - $ .5M) – supported regional collaboration tables

CAYAC Mandate • To ensure coordination of cross jurisdictional initiatives at the Departmental and Regional levels • To Provide a Forum for: – – – –

coordination of policy development establishment of joint service priorities coordination of interdepartmental initiatives evaluation of outcomes for children and youth

What did CAYAC do for its Members? • Enhanced opportunity for peer dialogue and support across Departments and Agencies – – – – –

cooperation collegiality coordination sensitivity and understanding pressure and accountability

Operating Principals • • • •

Not a service funding agency Works within existing budgets Meets regularly Interdepartmental working groups carry out specific tasks • Regional cooperation is essential

Some CAYAC Accomplishments • Policy framework for Early Years • Early Identification and Intervention Services (EIIS) young children with ASD • Mental Health review and enhancement • ECD enhancements • Report on well being of children

Some CAYAC Accomplishments • Development of standards for Youth Health centres • Production of a resource document and web data base for transitioning special needs youth from high school • Partnership development in YCJA projects • Various information sharing and professional development events

Some CAYAC Challenges • Rotating leadership • Ad hoc nature of relationship to Deputy Ministers Committee • Competing pressures and priorities • Resources • Expectations and perceptions

The CAYAC Review • Why? – – – –

structure 10 years old different players in several key positions different ways of doing business among departments question of value add

• How? – contracted with a consultant – variety of key informant interviews, focus groups and research

Major Recommendations of the Review • Formation of Child and Youth Social Policy Subcommittee • Alignment with Lead Department • Focus on collaborative policy development • Capacity for research • Use working groups for specific tasks • Develop a government wide child-youth strategy

Major Conclusions of the Review • Regional input into policy and program priorities • Review relationship and lines of accountability with regional committees • Review the role of the Youth Secretariat • Consult and share information with Policy Advisory Group members

The Nunn Commission of Inquiry • A woman was fatally injured in a car crash in October 2004 • A young person was charged with multiple offences arising out of the fatal car crash. He was released from custody on October 12, 2004, two days before the fatality • The Province wanted an impartial review of these circumstances to determine: – what happened, why the young person was released, the procedures to be followed in cases like this, were they followed and were they adequate – if public officials took appropriate actions • On December 5, 2006 the Commissioner made 34 recommendations for the future

Major Recommendations of Nunn • The 34 recommendations were grouped as follows: – – – – – – – – –

Delay in in the Administration of Youth Criminal Justice Court Administrative Procedures and Training Court Facilities, Communications and Technology Dedicated Court Police Liaison Officers and Crown Attorneys Attendance Centre and Bail Supervision Common Approaches to Criminal Proceedings for Young Persons Changes to the YCJA Development and Implementation of Strategy for Children and Youth at Risk Education Initiatives

Governments Response • All 34 recommendations were accepted and >$3M committed for 07-08 • Halifax Youth Attendance Centre and Bail Supervision programs are now operational in HRM • The recommended Child Youth Social Policy Committee has been restructured to include 5 Deputy Ministers and 5 Senior Officials

Governments Response • A new senior position, Executive Director of Youth Strategy and Services, has been created and is posted • The division of Family and Youth Services has been developed within the Department of Community Services and a Director appointed • A new relationship with the regions is being developed • The Department of Education is working on a new attendance policy

What Has Changed ? • Pre Nunn – No lead Minister – CAYAC committee of senior officials – Rotating Chair / Lead Department – Ad hoc reporting to Deputies – Provincial CAYAC Coordinator – Regional positions with varied titles and reporting practices

• Now – Lead Minister identified – CYSPC Committee of Deputies and Officials – Community Services Chair / Lead Department – Minimum 6 meetings per year with Deputies – Executive Director of Youth Strategy and Services and Regional Coordinators

Why These Changes? • Responds to Nunn recommendation on structure • Establishes clear lines of responsibility and accountability • Strengthens the mandate for collaborative planning and action • Requires the development and implementation of a comprehensive Child/Youth Strategy • Establishes time lines for progress reporting

CYSPC Mandate • The mandate of the CYSPC is to provide leadership and assume collective responsibility in the development and implementation of a comprehensive strategy for the provision of appropriate services to children and youth in Nova Scotia. • Engagement of relevant stakeholders, provincially and regionally, is central to fulfilling the mandate.

Reporting Relationships Minister Responsible for Children and Youth (Community Services) Committee of Deputy Ministers and Senior Officials Chaired by the Deputy Minister of Community Services Working Group of Senior Officials Chaired by Executive Director of Youth Strategy and Services Four Regional Coordinators Report to Executive Director of Youth Strategy and Services

Next Steps for CYSPC • Fill 5 positions – Executive Director – Regional Coordinators

• Define provincial – regional relationships • Complete strategy development and implementation plan • Public Progress Report in June

Lessons Learned • It is easier to communicate, cooperate and coordinate than it is to collaborate….. • Collaboration involves compromise and the sharing of information and power…. • Collaboration involves high commitment, high level of formality, high level of personal contact, and a low level of autonomy…

Lessons Learned • Because Children and Youth don’t fit in any one jurisdiction, service or department, a framework for collaboration is required….. • The most effective services are child/youth/family centered….. • Simply having more coordination does not necessarily improve access… . • Access is resource driven….. • Competition for resources is fierce…..

Lessons Learned • To effect change you need the right people at the table….. • The ability to commit resources – fiscal and/or human is the critical factor…. • Support is required from the top down and the ground up…. • What can I/we contribute vs. what’s in this for me/us…. • Collaboration is hard work … but it’s worth it