The province is seeking the public’s input on a process to help design and plan programs and services for a proposed regional centre to help children and youth thrive.
“Young people in northern B.C. in a mental-health or addiction crisis should be able to get care that meets their needs close to home. This is especially important for young Indigenous people in the North who need to access culturally appropriate services and supports,” said Premier David Eby, in Prince George Tuesday. “When youth are in crisis, if they are not connected to the care that is right for them, it can often mean that small problems turn into much bigger problems down the road as results. That’s why we’re pleased to move forward with this work to bring needed support to the heart of northern B.C. through a northern centre of excellence for children and youth.”
The Lheidli T’enneh First Nation will lead the community consultation process, beginning in late spring 2024, with $675,000 in funding from the province. The engagement stems from a proposal by the First Nation that envisions a centre offering a multitude of services, such as mental-health and addictions services, neurocognitive assessments and other wellness programs for children and youth. Feedback will help determine the types of programs and services that could be offered through the proposed centre.
“Today’s announcement is good news for our future generations, those kids who are struggling today and the kids who haven’t yet faced struggle, but may one day,” said Chief Dolleen Logan of Lheidli T’enneh First Nation. “We need to ask ourselves: If we can find ways to help those kids before they fall between the cracks, how much better could our communities be? How much stronger and more resilient will our children be?”
The engagement will bring together a wide range of partners and community members, including local government, surrounding First Nations, service providers and individual members of the public to contribute to the development of a potential service model that addresses regional needs in a culturally sensitive manner. The Lheidli T’enneh First Nation will collect feedback through virtual outreach, in-person meetings and a digital platform. The Province has committed $675,385 to support the consultation and engagement work.
Logan said they have been working on the project for three years and securing the funding was the second step in the process.
“At Lheidli T’enneh we didn’t want this work to be done off the side of someone’s desk,” said Logan.
To that end, Lheidli T’enneh have hired former Prince George Mayor Lyn Hall, Chris Bone, Scott Bone, and Cam MacAlpine to do the work.
A final report and proposed service model plan will be developed based on feedback received during the engagement and is expected in summer 2024.
Watch the full announcement below (begins at the 9:00 minute mark)