Tan Sakwathan Youth Diversion and Family Support

Objective

To provide early intervention and healthier alternatives for First Nation youth and their families who come in conflict with the law.

Diversion Program

The Tan Sakwathan youth Diversion Program provides an eight-week Diversion workshop program to youth between the ages of 12-17 on an annual basis, who are in conflict with the law.

The program believes that in order to reduce youth crime, recidivism, and violence in the homes it is instrumental to provide these youth with intervention strategies in order to "break the cycle".

The program incorporates the teaching of traditional ways by strengthening of relationships between families and youth.

The program adheres to the philosophy that by increasing youth understanding of traditional values and practices, it permits young people to formulate what a healthy lifestyle, and healthy family should be, empowering youth to make positive changes in their lives.

Family Support Worker Program

The Family Support Worker continues to work in the home on a regular basis with the youth and their families for a period of 18 months to implement the tools they have acquired in the eight week workshop session to live a healthy crime free lifestyle and change their present lifestyle.

Assistance, advocacy and support are provided through workshops, referrals and may include the following: communication, healthy relationships, individual violence, conflict resolution, and a family resource plan.

Connection with culture, traditions and building on self esteem and healthy lifestyles are encouraged through camps, community events, and elders.

Currently, there is no other Family Support Worker program operating in the Yukon Territory that deals specifically with all fourteen First Nations Communities, Yukon First Nations youth and their families.