[Date] Moving on Mental Health - a system that makes sense for children and youth Child Youth and Family Services Coalition May 2013 System Transition Team Policy Development and Program Design Division MINISTRY OF CHILDREN AND YOUTH SERVICES

[Date] 1 Goals of Ontario’s Policy Framework for Child and Youth Mental Health (2006) 1.A child and youth mental health sector that is coordinated, collaborative and integrated at all community and government levels, creating a culture of shared responsibility; 2.Children, youth and their families/caregivers have access to a flexible continuum of timely and appropriate services and supports within their own cultural, environmental and community context ; 3.Optimal mental health and well-being of children and youth is promoted through an enhanced understanding of, and ability to respond to, child and youth mental health needs through the provision of effective services and supports; and 4.A child and youth mental health sector that is accountable and well-managed.

[Date] We are committed to system change because… We know, from families, youth, and from reports over the years, that: The mental health needs of children and youth are not being met similarly across the province; Families have difficulty finding their way to the right service in a timely way; Cross-sectoral linkages and pathways are not consistent or robust; and The sector lacks a coherent approach to standards, performance measures and accountability. “One of the criticisms of Ontario’s overall mental health and addictions system is that there, in fact, no coherent system….Many people simply fall through the cracks, or give up in frustration because of the complexity of the system.” (Select Committee on Mental Health and Addictions, 2010) 2

[Date] On June 22, 2011, the government announced Open Minds, Healthy Minds, a Comprehensive Mental Health and Addictions Strategy which is focused on creating a more responsive and integrated system, starting with children and youth. Funding for the strategy will grow to $93 million per year by Since then, over 600 new mental health workers on the ground in schools, communities and youth courts are providing services to an estimated 20,000 more kids and their families. It’s making a difference – but there is more to do. 3

[Date] Moving on Mental Health - a system that makes sense for children and youth Moving on Mental Health is the next step in transformation of the child and youth mental health system. We will transform the experience of children and youth with mental health problems and their families, so that regardless of where they live in Ontario they will know:  What mental health services are available in their communities; and  How to access mental health services and supports that meet their needs. 4

[Date] We will accomplish this system change by:  Creating and supporting pathways to care;  Defining core services;  Establishing lead agencies for every community – with responsibility for planning and delivery of services;  Developing a transparent, equitable funding model; and  Putting in place appropriate legislative/regulatory/ accountability tools. Moving on Mental Health - a system that makes sense for children and youth 5

[Date] LOOKING AHEAD TO 2015 Services not consistently matched to needs Valid tools, evidence- informed practice Acceptable Accessible Efficient Sustainable Defined communities, lead agencies, and core services Lengthy wait times Pathways/needs and timeliness at centre of service delivery Historical funding distribution Funding tied to population, needs, and performance Coordinated Collaborative Duplication and silos Coordination between providers and across sectors Effective Cannot demonstrate results Linked standards contracting, performance and results CURRENT STATE FUTURE STATE Transformed Child and Youth Mental Health Services Fragmented, inefficient, hard to access, provider- centric Child and youth centred, responsive, flexible, seamless, equitable, evidence-informed and matched to needs  Parents, children and youth know how to access services, what is available to them, and what to expect at each point along transparent service pathways  Regardless of where they live, families have access to a consistent set of easy to identify supports and services through an identifiable lead agency that is accountable to government  Parents, children and youth have confidence in the people and agencies providing services  Wait times for service are timely, predictable, and matched to severity of need  Parents and funders know whether the services received have made a difference What It will look like Many providers; uneven access to equitable service 6