360Kids Support Services

Youth mental health and addictions – community capacity and operating funding 360°kids will communicate with federal decision-makers regarding youth mental health and addictions priorities, with a focus on expanding access and community capacity. Will seek to help identify and shape upcoming federal youth mental health funding mechanisms (including how community-based organizations can access health-specific funding streams). Advocate for operating funding models that enable youth-serving organizations to deliver prevention, early intervention, and wraparound supports. Position 360°kids' integrated prevention and wraparound model as a value-for-money investment that reduces downstream costs in emergency care,policing, and social services. Ensure youth voice and equity perspectives are incorporated into youth mental health and addictions policy and funding approaches. Sector-specific youth pathways, train-the-trainer models, and employer partnerships. 360°kids will communicate with federal officials regarding funding streams and program models that strengthen youth workforce pathways and employer partnerships. Advocate for funding streams that invest in train-the-trainer programs and sector-specific youth pathways (including trades, technology,culinary, PSW/social work, environment). Promote models that link employment and skills development to mental health and housing stability supports for older youth with barriers and those underrepresented in the job market. Encourage stable, outcomes-based funding that supports onboarding and retention, particularly for equity-deserving youth. Modernize and recapitalize YESS into a year-round Youth Hiring Incentive (YHI). 360°kids will communicate with federal officials regarding modernization and recapitalization of the Youth Employmentand Skills Strategy (YESS), including changes to the Canada Summer Jobs (CSJ) program. Advocate to expand short, time-limited placements into a year-round Youth Hiring Incentive for youth aged 18-29 who are not in full-time study. Support longer, more stable placements that reflect current labour-market realities and enable retention and progression. Structure delivery through multi-year contribution agreements with community partners and predictable incentives for employers, with enhanced supports/top-ups for barriered youth (e.g., homelessness, disability, newcomer and Indigenous youth). Integrate funded mental health, mentorship, and early intervention supports into YESS-funded placements. 360°kids will communicate with federal officials regarding the redesign and delivery of the Youth Employment and Skills Strategy (YESS), to ensure that funded mental health and wraparound supports are embedded alongside employment placements. Advocate for including dedicated federal funding (through contribution agreements and/or program requirements) for counselling, mentorship, early intervention, literacy and peer supports being delivered. Ensure supports are available for youth facing barriers such as homelessness, disability,newcomer status, and Indigenous identity. Improve outcomes such as training completion, job retention, well-being, and reduced crises or program dropouts. Data and outcomes reporting capacity – support to expand tracking and align reporting with federal priorities. 360°kids will communicate with federal officials regarding resources and supports to expand data tracking capacity and outcomes reporting, including where such capacity can be supported through program funding. Will advocate to increase support to expand data tracking capacity for housing and employment outcomes. Aligning reporting with federal priorities and program reporting templates to demonstrate measurable results foryouth, communities, and the broader economy. Affordable Housing (including within Build Canada Homes) by incorporating youth housing, homelessness prevention, and wraparound supports. 360°kids will communicate with federal officials regarding the design and imple