WrapEd – YOUTH GANG PREVENTION
PRESENTATION TO THE ALBERTA COMMUNITY
CRIME PREVENTION ASSOCIATION – NOVEMBER 25, 2014
LIZ LACIKA – EDMONTON JOHN HOWARD
JAN FOX –REACH EDMONTON
WRAP ED
WRAPED IS A PARNTERSHIP OF
COMMUNITY BASED
ORGANIZATIONS, MUNICIPAL
GOVERNMENT, SCHOOL BOARDS
AND LAW ENFORCEMENT THAT
CAME TOGETHER TO APPLY FOR
FUNDING FROM THE NATIONAL
CRIME PREVENTION CENTER FOR
A YOUTH GANG INITIAIVE
OUR PARTNERS
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EDMONTON JOHN HOWARD SOCIETY
THE AFRICA CENTER
YOUCAN YOUTH SERVICES
NATIVE COUNSELLING SERVICES OF ALBERTA
EDMONTON POLICE SERVICES
REACH EDMONTON
WORKS AS A CATALYST, ENGAGING PARTNERS TO WORK
COLLABORATIVELY TO MAKE EDMONTON A SAFER CITY
IS A BACKBONE ORGANIZATION
HAS COLLECTIVE IMPACT
WHAT IS COLLECTIVE IMPACT?
5 CONDITIONS FOR SUCCESS
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COMMON AGENDA
SHARED MEASUREMENT
MUTUALLY REINFORCING ACTIVITIES
CONTINUOUS COMMUNICATION
BACKBONE SUPPORT
A BACKBONE ….
THE VALUE…
STRENGTHEN EXISTING PROGRAMS, IDENTIFY GAPS AND
LAUNCH NEW INITIATIVES
ENPOWER GROUPS AND AGENCIES
WHY IT MATTERS
EXPECTED BACKBONE OBJECTIVES
 PARTNERS ALIGN WITH A COMMON
AGENDA
 PARTNERS COLLABORATIVELY DEVELOP
NEW APPROACHES
 COMMUNITY MEMBERS FEEL EMPOWERED
TO TAKE ACTION
 POLICY CHANGES OCCUR
 SYSTEMS CHANGE
 PHILANTROPIC AND PUBLIC FUNDS
INCREASINGLY SUPPORTIVE
A CASE STUDY… THE COST OF
COLLABORATION
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TOOL DESIGNED TO HELP PARTNERSHIPS, FUNDERS AND
POLICY MAKERS TO REALIZE THE FULL POTENTIAL OF
COLLABORATION WHEN ADDRESSING COMPLEX SOCIAL ISSUE
UNDERSTAND HOW COLLABORATION WORKS AND WHAT
SUCCESSFUL COLLABORATION IS
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ASSESS HOW WELL THEIR COLLABORATION WORKS
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IDENTIFY AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT
EVALUATION AT THE OUTSET
 ENVIRONMENTAL SCAN TO DETERMINE WHO SHOULD BE
INVOLVED
 RIGOUROUS EVALUATION REQUIREMENTS PROMPTED REACH
TO INVEST UPFRONT
 EMBARKED UPON THIS PROCESS EVALUATION TO DOCUMENT
TRUECOSTS
 SOME LIMITATIONS TO THE TOOLS USED SO ALSO CONDUCTED
CASE STUDY (CHRONOLOGY)
 51k – 60k WITH IN KIND
THE RESULTS
 CONTRIBUTION OF BACKBONE ORGANIZATION ESSENTIAL DUE
TO RIGOUROUS EVALUATION REQUIREMENTS AND
APPLICATION PROCESS (38k)
 IMPORTANCE OF SHARED DECISION MAKING
 DEEPER UNDERSTANDING OF EACH OTHER’S WORK
 ENHANCED ABILITY TO ADDRESS IMPORTANT ISSUES
RESULTS (CONTINUED)
• DEVELOPED NEW SKILLS
• INCREASED PUBLIC PROFILE
• ABILITY TO INFLUENCE PUBLIC POLICY
• ENHANCED ABILITY TO MEET CLIENT NEEDS
DRAWBACKS
 DIVERSION OF TIME FROM OTHER DUTIES
 FRUSTRATION
 MANDATE CONFLICT
 WEAKER LINK
 INSUFFICIENT INFLUENCE IN PARTNERSHIP ACTIVITIES
 INSUFFICIENT RECOGNITION GIVEN
 BENEFITS EXCEEDED DRAWBACKS
QUESTIONS???
Wrap ED is a first in Canada
• We’ve created a partnership in Edmonton to develop a new,
intentional approach to move youth people who are affected
by violent crime away from the threat of gangs.
• Through offering integrated services, Wrap ED partners will
help these young people learn how to thrive in our
community.
• Wrap ED Clients will work with support workers, family and
community members, choosing the supports each needs to
help them live out of harms way and move forward in their
life.
• Edmonton has been selected by the Federal Government for 5
years of funding
• It’s all based on relationships – with each other and the teens
we serve.
The Foundation
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Wrap ED: Wrap = wraparound, Ed = Edmonton
The wraparound approach was selected because:
 It reflects the diversity of the collaboration
 It allows for a strength-base approach for the youth AND organizations involved
 Everyone will be able to bring their knowledge, cultural awareness, and strengths
to the project for the benefit of the youth
 It is well developed and proven to be effective in numerous communities
 It is conducive with a trauma informed approach (focuses on understanding the
whole individual and appreciates the context in which that youth is living their
life)
 It allows the project to focus on the individual, putting the client in the centre of
the room
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Wrap ED will be based on the Ten Principles of the Wraparound Process:
 Family voice and choice
 Collaboration
 Persistence
 Strength Based
 Community-based
 Outcome based
 Culturally Competent
 Team based
 Individualized
 Natural supports
Wrap Ed
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Is a new model focused on collective impact
Each organization brings there own expertise
Our work is intentional: ie training together, weekly meetings
Outcomes focused , so we know exactly what we’ve learned, defining the collective
impact we’ve made
• It give agencies a framework to:
• create a common agenda
• shared measurement system
• continuous communication
• a progressive approach to overcome funding barriers (instead of competing
against each other for funding we came together for the same funding)
Wrap Ed Timeline
• Early March, 2012: Initial meetings to gauge interest in a collaborative
submission to the NCPC’s YGPF call for LOIs.
• Late March, 2012: Meeting with core partners to begin development of the
Letter of Intent
• April 5, 2012: LOI submitted
• June 5, 2012: Learned that Wrap Ed was one of 14 projects from across Canada
selected among 168 letters of intent to be developed into full project proposals.
• June 12 – 14, 2012: YGPF Proposal Development training hosted by NCPC in
Toronto, attended by Holly Miller (on behalf of the collaborative) and Gene Chan
(as evaluation support)
• September 21, 2012: Submission of the full Wrap Ed project proposal, the only
proposal to be submitted on time from this YGPF cohort.
• June, 2013: Wrap Ed proposal approved for funding, partners rejoice
• Approximately 15 months from beginning to end of the process to apply for funding
Partnerships
Edmonton John Howard Society
At Edmonton John Howard Society, we serve young people without support
systems, people impacted by family violence, and men and women at risk or
involved with the justice system. All find a warm welcome and the help they
need to discover hope in their lives. We also work to build understanding about
the causes and consequences of crime and to prevent crime in our communities
through public education.
At Edmonton John Howard Society, we offer hope and opportunities through a
variety of practical services and innovative programs:
Housing and help finding housing
Help finding employment
Help finding other community services
Supportive services
Anger management courses
Public Legal Education programs for schools and community groups
Courses at the New Edmonton Remand Centre
Housing for youth experiencing homelessness
Services for individuals involved in domestic violence
YOUCAN
(Youth Organizing to Understand Conflict and Advocate
Non‐Violence) Youth Services
Is a non‐profit charitable organization dedicated to empowering and building a
culture of peace among today’s youth.
We assist young people in developing the skills needed to move out of harm’s way,
transition into employment or back into education, reduce youth violence and
participate actively in youth issues.
Our mission is to equip youth to engage and inspire others to peacefully
resolve conflicts and develop healthy relationships in their communities.
African Center
• To promote early learning to African-Canadian families and offer educational
opportunities to pre-school children.
• To provide educational opportunities and support to African-Canadian school-aged
children to help them succeed in the Canadian school system.
• To educate and empower African-Canadian women, youth, seniors and others to help
them integrate into Canadian society.
• To educate and increase the Canadian public's understanding of and appreciation for
African culture.
• To educate African-Canadians about the Canadian political process in order to
encourage respect for and participation in the democratic process in Canada.
Native Counselling Services of
Alberta
Mission is to contribute to the holistic development and wellness of the Aboriginal
individual, family and community.
By respecting differences, we aim to promote the fair and equitable treatment of
Aboriginal people and advocate for the future development of our partners.
By developing and maintaining strong partnerships and honouring our relationships,
we are committed to evolving proactively with our changing environment.
We will continue to strategically plan and deliver culturally sensitive programs and
community education through accountable resource management.
Back to our Roots – Original Vision
Target Group
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Youth who feel society has turned its back on them
They may be homeless, experienced trauma, often living in poverty
They struggle with every system they interact with
Youth between 12 and 17 years of age
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60 youth will engaged per cohort, 3 cohorts, total of 180 youth potentially
participating over 5 years
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The partnership anticipates that:
 Aboriginal and immigrant/refugee youth that present criminological behaviours
linked with gang activity that have experience trauma will make up the majority
of youth in the program
 Some type of contact with police and the justice system will have taken place, as
offenders or as victims
 Low school attendance, or will not be attending at all
 Low attachment to family
 Few cultural ties
 Co-occuring issues (addiction, mental health, violence, homelessness)
 High number of female participants
Secondary beneficiaries of the project will be the families of the youth participants
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Referrals
Referrals (approx. 3 months)
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WrapEd partnership will develop a community referral form, to be made available to
community agencies, schools, probation, etc. It is anticipated that WrapEd partners
will refer youth that are currently attending other programming that they offer
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Once the referral is received, the IMR-08 Vulnerable Persons Risk Matrix will be
applied to provide insight into the level of vulnerability of the youth based on police
data
 The IMR-08 risk factors include mental illness, medical distress, substance abuse,
involvement in sexual exploitation, previous history of eloped/missing persons,
previous history of attempted suicides, victim offender overlap and violent crime
victimization
 Do we want to apply the IMR-08 now or during Intake/Assessment?
Assessment/Intake/Relationship Building
Assessment/Intake/Relationship Building (4-5 months)
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An assessment tool will be applied through a collective process with the Project
Manager and the project staff
The assessment tool has not yet been selected – partnership wanted the Project
Manager to be involved in the selection process
An evaluation of where the youth falls on the trauma spectrum will form part of the
assessment process
If the youth is eligible and agrees to participate, an intake form will be completed
Every effort will be made to match the youth with a program staff person that is the
best fit for the youth
 Youth must feel comfortable with this person
 This person will lead that youth’s wraparound plan
 Creates the highest likelihood of a long term relationship and highest probability
of engagement
Relationships are key to this project – which is why a significant amount of time is
dedicated to this initial relationship building stage
If a youth is eligible to participate, but unwilling to participate in programming, they
will be offered the opportunity to participate in the control group, with gift cards
offered as incentives and an open invitation to participate in a future cohort.
Programming
• Formal Programming (12 months)
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Difficult to describe in detail, as each youth will have different needs which will be
responded to through the wraparound approach
Some of the elements that may be incorporated into a youth’s wraparound plan
include:
 Youth Outreach & Engagement: Going to where the youth is, identifying needs,
assisting with immediate needs, etc.
 Youth Assessments: Completing assessments to gain a clearer image of the
youth’s challenges and needs
 Cultural Teachings: With support of elders, reconnecting youth to their culture as
desired/appropriate
 Addressing Identity: Helping youth to discovery and be proud of who they are,
building self-esteem, helping them to feel like part of a positive community
(rather than identifying with a gang)
 Conflict Resolution & Mediation: Giving youth tools to resolve conflict in healthy,
non-violent ways. Assistance to resolve existing conflict
 Systems Navigation & Advocacy: Helping youth access services, deal with existing
legal issues, etc.
 Trauma Counseling: Where appropriate, provide access to trauma specialists
Formal Programming (continued)
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More elements of wraparound programming
 Addictions Treatment: Helping the youth to access addictions services as
required
 Academic Support: Assist youth to access education (re-integration at school,
distance education, training)
 Recreation Activities: Helping youth discover their passions and hobbies,
engaging them in positive activities
 Mentorship: Connecting youth with positive role models
 Employment Support: Connecting with employment/career services
 Volunteerism: Encouraging youth to give back to their communities in positive
ways by volunteering
 Leadership Training: Empowering youth to become leaders among their peers
and communities, gain leadership skills
As required, programming will be delivered in culturally appropriate ways
Positive existing networks will be incorporated into the youth’s wraparound case plan
WrapEd staff will work together to access required services, although one staff person
will be the lead
Transition Plan
• Community Transition Period (approx. 4 months)
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Youth will begin to transition out of the formal program
Youth will turn to using existing supports in the community
Positive peer and community connections are reinforced during this time
Training
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Reclaiming Youth
Colors Training
Pre-Migration Trauma
Literacy’s Impact on Crime and Youth
Y50 List Training
Working with High Risk Youth
Gang Awareness
Crisis Intervention
YCJA
Understand Identity Across Culture
Wrap ED Retreat
Circle Training
Trauma Training
Working with Probation Officers
Tour of EYOC
Truth and Reconciliation
Sweat Lodge Ceremony
Historical Trauma
Mental Health First Aid
Family Violence in a Cultural Context
Wrap Around Training
Feb 11, 2012
Feb 14
Feb 19
Feb 20
Feb 21
Feb 24
March 3
March 6
March 6
March 7
March 11 – 13
March 17, 18
March 19
March 24
March 26
March 27 – 30
April 1
April 2
April 3 – 4
April 7
April 9 - 11
Challenges
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Hiring the right staff, already had three staff changes
Staff for EJHS were hired in January 2014
We did not get any youth till the end of April 2014
Too much training in the beginning
Budget restrictions, ie:$500.00 per youth but can only use $50.00 at a time, budget
will pay for youth dinner but not staff
Need clear communication among partners
Getting appropriate youth
Program starting with no data base/will have to back log
Program starting without proper intake forms/meet data base
Strict budget
Maintaining individual agencies identities
Successes
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The freedom to meet youth where they are at
Flexible hours
Individual self identified goal planning
The diversity of the partners
Excellent support for youth workers
Just about at capacity with youth
Data base is just about done
Lower caseloads will make it easier to develop positive relationships and trust
Ultimately……….
A decrease in gang membership and violent crime
Young people and their families will be living with hope
Recognition that collective impact works
Evaluation Process
• Efforts to Outcomes (ETO) - Touchpoints
• Information from the evaluations will support formal reporting to NCPC – Project
Manager Reports (PMR) twice per year, Annual Evaluation Report, and a Final Project
Report. More importantly, it will support the project’s quality improvement process.
• . Program reach
• 2. Program infrastructure
• 3. Program delivery
• 4. Partnership
• 5. Challenges / Lessons Learned / Opportunities
• 6. Sustainability
Overview of Youth Worker Data Collection
- ASSESSMENT
Background
• The timing of intake and assessment are based on the evaluation group’s knowledge
of typical client interactions. This practice-based evidence indicates that youth
typically feel comfortable talking about some of their concerns with their Youth
Worker within 5 contacts. By 15 contacts, youth trust the Youth Worker enough to
share more sensitive concerns.
• Assessment
• Collection of all of the following information occurs within 15 contacts of the youth
being referred to WrapEd. By this time, the youth should feel comfortable talking
with the Youth Worker and sharing this type of information.
• The following methods will be used:
• Structured conversations
• Monthly tracking based on Youth Worker observations and ongoing conversations
• Monthly Youth Worker reflection notes, to be used to guide occasional reflective
conversations with the evaluation team
• Youth Worker Action Plan data that is relevant to the evaluation
Structured Conversations
• Youth Workers use the exact words and scale responses in the questions to complete
Structured Conversations with youth
• The questions need to be asked in the same order
• Resiliency
• Hopefulness
• Sense of control over life
• School /Education attitudes
• Culture
• Culture Fist Nations, Métis or Inuit
• Goal attainment
• The relationship between the Youth Worker and youth may be ready for these types
of questions when youth:
• Bring up their issues or concern with the Youth Worker (rather than Youth Worker
starting the conversation)
• Follow-up on agreed-upon actions between meetings
• Do not ignore the Youth Worker
• Youth Workers will repeat some of these structured conversations later in the
program, such as at program exit, mid-point (in some cases) and follow-up.
• Paper surveys will initially be used, but ultimately the data will be entered in ETO
Monthly Tracking:
• Youth Workers record observations and key points from their ongoing conversations
with each youth on their caseload in Monthly Tracking
• Youth Workers will track the data on the last week of every month, starting at
Assessment
• Youth Workers will track this data separately for each youth
Reflective Group Conversations (with evaluators)
• Youth Workers will participate in Reflective Group Conversations with the evaluators
• Youth Workers will keep monthly notes, starting at Assessment, about the topic area
in response to the reflective questions
• The information is not specifically about individual youth. It is an overall reflection on
what changes are/are not happening with youth. Reflections should include
successes/progress and barriers/challenges
• Youth Workers will discuss their monthly notes with their Supervisor during monthly
supervision
• Youth Workers will bring their monthly notes to the Reflective Conversations
Action Plans:
Information from some areas of the Action Plans that Youth Workers create with youth
will also inform the evaluation
QUESTIONS???
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