By Lara S. Rooke, National Recreation and Youth Services Coordinator,
CFPSA Ottawa
(613)992-4642 Rooke.lara@cfpsa.com

CFPSA National Youth Advisory committee from left to right: Front row: Toby Rabinovitz, SMC Group; Anne Robinson, SMC Group Associate; Ginny Bolduc, Trenton youth representative; Jennifer Wilson, SMC Group Associate; Anne Marie Vaz, National Children and Youth Program Coordinator; Gail Todd, SMC Group. Back row: Guy Tanguay, Executive Director of the Canadian Association for Health; Campbell McKie, Petawawa Parks and Recreation Director; Earle Morris, retired National Recreation and Youth Services Manager; Randy Hegalson, Director PSP Resources, Clay Melnike SMC Group; Bill Whillans, CEO of National Capital Region YMCA, Yvan Roy, SMC Group Associate.

As many of you may be aware, for the last three years the Personnel Support Program (PSP) division has been involved in the development of a National Youth Programs and Services Model. This initiative included hosting a National Youth Summit in 1999 which brought together youth and youth workers from CF locations across the country, followed by the contracting of a consulting group to research and develop a National Model. The development stages included conducting youth trends research, consultation with Military Family Resource Centres (MFRC) and PSP staff members in the field, youth interviews, as well as the development of a National Youth Advisory committee. The process has been long but worthwhile and would certainly not have been possible without the support and contributions of many PSP recreation and MFRC staff members in the field.

The development of this National Youth Programs and Services Model should hopefully result in an increased quality and breadth of programs and services for youth from CF families. The delivery of these programs in four specific areas, namely, Connecting Youth, Supporting Youth, Healthy Choices and Leadership Development, will be jointly administered by PSP recreation staff and MFRC youth staff.

This is certainly an exciting time for those involved in the delivery of these important services. There is much work still to be done, but we are confident that the talented and dedicated PSP and MFRC staff responsible for Youth Services will continue their efforts to make the CFPSA National Youth Programs and Services Model a nationally recognized model of excellence in youth services.