The BC Integrated Youth Services Initiative is pleased to announce the initiation of the Request for Expressions of Interest (REOI) process for the BC-IYSI network of integrated service centres for youth and young adults (YYA) aged 12-24 across BC. The BC-IYSI mandate is to support communities in establishing branded youth-friendly, integrated, health and social service storefronts, and work alongside provincial online and phone line resources to strengthen a network of care for young British Columbians and their families. The purpose of the initiative is to support youth with easy to access core services including primary care, mental health, substance use, and social services, as well as youth and family navigation supports.
The purpose of this REOI is to determine agencies to lead the development of integrated youth health centres in each of the five regional health authorities. These centres, along with Vancouver’s “Granville Youth Health Centre,” will form a network in a “proof of concept” phase called the BC Integrated Youth Services Initiative (BC-IYSI). The five successful applicants will each receive: 1) a one-time capital grant and 2) operational funding to support them in building their centres. In return, lead agencies and their partners will be expected, as members of the BC-IYSI network, to provide standardized services based on core care principles and practices.
There will be two parts to the selection process. “Part 1: Expression of Interest Submission” is to be completed by all interested communities. This application (EOI Submission Template) is due on January 29, 2016 by 4 pm. “Part 2: Convening Submission” is to be completed by up to fifteen short-listed applicants, guided through the submission process by the BC-IYSI team. Phase 2 will take place February 22 – March 31, 2016. The five successful communities will be announced in April 2016.
Please visit our website for information on BC-IYSI, EOI Submission Information, and the EOI Submission Template: bciysi.ca.