Second Chance for Young Mothers

Program snapshot

Age group: Young adult (18-24); Adult (25-64)

Gender: Female only

Population served: Aboriginal/Indigenous; Individuals suffering from FASD

Topic: Academic issues; Aggressive/violent behaviours; Alcohol and/or drug use; Antisocial/deviant behaviours; Crime issues involving a mental health disorder or other health disorder

Setting: Rural/remote area; Community-based setting

Location: Alberta

Number of completed Canadian outcome evaluation studies: 0

Continuum of intervention: Secondary crime prevention

Brief Description

The Second Chance for Young Mothers (SCFYM) program was developed by the Enoch Cree Nation to address the growing need for social supports for young Aboriginal mothers (under 30 years old). The intention of the program is to provide a supportive learning environment so that the young mothers can pursue their educational and personal goals. Participants are taught to utilize supports within the community such as, but not limited to: policing, parenting classes, prenatal classes, counselling, tutoring, money management courses, and nutrition classes.

Goals

The main goal of the SCFYM program is to reduce the exposure of young women to high-risk lifestyles, criminal activity, violence and substance abuse in the community through:

  • Improved access to education and services for women of child bearing age;
  • Improved access to prevention, intervention, support and diagnosis of FASD; and
  • Improved health, increased self-esteem, positive social interactions and prospects for further education, as well as training and employment through comprehensive partnerships with committed stakeholders.

Clientele

The SCFYM program will provide a supportive learning environment for high-risk, substance-abusing young mothers who have dropped out of high school.

Core Components

The SCFYM program employs traditional Medicine Wheel fundamentals to allow for a holistic approach to be taken. The four components of the Medicine Wheel emphasize mental, physical, spiritual, and emotional well-being.

Implementation Information

Some of the critical elements for the implementation of this program or initiative include the following:

  • Organizational requirements: The institution to handle a project of this size and scope should have the support of the Band Council and the capacity to educate Aboriginal women who exhibit high-risk lifestyles.
  • Partnerships: Limited information on this topic.
  • Training and technical assistance: Limited information on this topic.
  • Risk assessment tools: Limited information on this topic.
  • Materials & resources: Limited information on this topic.

International Endorsements

The most recognized classification systems of evidence-based crime prevention programs have classified this program or initiative as follows:

  • Blueprints for Healthy Youth Development: Not applicable.
  • Crime Solutions/OJJDP Model Program Guide: Not applicable.
  • SAMHSA's National Registry of Evidence-based Programs and Practices: Not applicable.
  • Coalition for Evidence-Based Policy: Not applicable.

Gathering Canadian Knowledge

Canadian Implementation Sites

The SCFYM program has been implemented at the Enoch Cree Nation (Alberta) from 2011 to 2014 and is funded through the Safe Communities Innovation Fund (SCIF), Government of Alberta.

Main Findings from Canadian Outcome Evaluation Studies

No information available.

Cost Information

A social return on investment (SROI) has been conducted on the SCFYM program. The findings from this study have shown the following:

  • The ratio for the SCFYM program is 1.08:1, which indicates that $1.08 in social value was created by the program for every dollar invested; and
  • Social value was also created through increased school attendance for young mothers, increased employability, and reduced use of child welfare and income support.

References

Alberta Community Crime Prevention Organizations. (2015). Social Return on Investment (SROI) Case Study: Second Chance for Young Mothers. Recipient of Safe Communities Innovation Fund, Government of Alberta. Available from: https://open.alberta.ca/publications/safe-communities-innovation-fund-pilot-project-executive-summaries  

For more information on this program, contact:

Enoch Cree Nation
Colleen McDonald
Telephone: (780) 993-9230
E-mail: csmacdonald@hotmail.com


Record Entry Date - 2018-03-12
Record Updated On - 2021-04-29
Date modified: