A new program is being brought to Bancroft to help at-risk youth before they get involved with Police.
The Intersections Program is an evidence-based, police-referral, voluntary early intervention program for kids that are at-risk for becoming involved with local Police. Bancroft is the ninth community the program has been implemented in.
The program is funded by a grant from the Ministry of Correctional Services. It is the Community Safety grant and it will help fund the program for the next two years.
Police will be the first contact with the family. They will fill out an Intersections referral form and pass that along to an Intersections Coordinator. From there, the Coordinator makes contact with the family and figures out what needs to be done going forward. Sarah Phoenix, the Program Coordinator for North Hastings Children’s Services, Intersections Coordinator, says that the role of the Intersections Coordinators will be important. When they meet with a family for the first time, they will have a lot to do.
The program is not necessarily to stop the behaviour, but to provide the resources and support so that the family or youth can correct the behaviour, Phoenix says.
Phoenix says that with this program, the Intersections Coordinator’s role continues, even after a referral is made.
The program was launched in July. Phoenix reports to Bancroft OPP Constable Philippe Regamey monthly.
At a Council meeting on Monday, Phoenix and Regamey presented the program to Council. Regamey said that all members of the Bancroft OPP detachment are trained to handle Intersections situations. He said that North Hastings High School is on board as well and know to contact him if needed.
Phoenix finished by that this program gives parents who may not know what to do to help their child another option.