February 9, 2015 – Selkirk, MB – Department of Justice Canada
Today, James Bezan, Member of Parliament for Selkirk-Interlake, on behalf of Justice Minister Peter MacKay, announced $60,000 in funding to the Lord Selkirk School Division to support youth with cognitive impairments or mental health issues who are also involved in the justice system. The new funding to the Selkirk Team for At-Risk Teens (START) program will use an existing local model to develop a network of support for youth and their families with the goal of preventing further involvement with the justice system.
This project is funded by the Youth Justice Fund, which supports a broad range of projects with youth involved in the criminal justice system. Current funding priorities include youth with mental health issues and/or cognitive impairments such as Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder. The Youth Justice Fund provides grants and contributions to projects that encourage a more effective youth justice system, respond to emerging youth justice issues and enable greater citizen and community participation in the youth justice system, thereby promoting a holistic approach to helping young people.
"I am pleased with our Government's support for the Lord Selkirk School Division to provide support for justice system-involved youth. This project will help reduce recidivism, improve relationships between youth and the community, and increase contact between youth, their families, and the support agencies in place to assist these young people."
James Bezan
Member of Parliament, Selkirk-Interlake
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