Grant: Other: IYS-Net Phase 2 - Provincial Stream Grants

Background: The Canadian Institute of Health Research (CIHR) and partners launched the Integrated Youth Services Network (IYS-Net) to enhance youth services targeting mental health, physical health, substance use support, and social services across Canada. To address this call in Saskatchewan, we have established HOMEBASE hubs, which serves youth ages 12 to 25 by integrating various services through community hubs. John Howard Society oversees the hubs involving a youth co-design team (PYCDT), facilitated by distributed leadership approaches. Goal and Objectives: To co-design, implement and evaluate a LHS through a distributed leadership model with PYCDT, Provincial Strategic Oversight Table (PSOT), IYS Committee, and the four established HOMEBASE Hubs, with a cross-cutting focus on First Nation and Metis youth in Saskatchewan. Our specific objectives are to: 1. Create standards for engaging youth in local and provincial teams; 2. Evaluate the effectiveness of the shared leadership model for youth, communities, and government partners; 3. Identify youth service needs across various regions and groups (e.g., Indigenous, 2SLGBTQ+, homeless youth), including the development of HOMEBASE Virtual Services; and 4. Develop a data model focused on youth, outlining how to collect and use data. This research will help guide the development and expansion of HOMEBASE hubs in Saskatchewan using a learning health system approach. Methods: Our research team will follow community-based participatory research (CBPR) approaches, emphasizing respect, reciprocity and co-learning. We will collect data through interviews, sharing circles, and creative methods to understand HOMEBASE's experiences and growth in Saskatchewan. This will inform the development and expansion of HOMEBASE. Impact: This research aims to improve youth services in Saskatchewan by exploring how to implement IYS across the province with the involvement of a youth co-design team.