We are a voluntary, non-profit prevention and counselling agency, which has been providing free help to children, youth and families in Bruce and Grey Counties since 1974. Our programs and services reflect a desire to help “Build Futures Together” with an emphasis on listening, partnerships, and creativity. Our vision is to provide responsive, compassionate services for children, youth and families to build better and more hopeful futures.
Keystone Child, Youth and Family Services was designated the Children’s Mental Health LEAD AGENCY for Grey and Bruce Counties by the Ministry of Child, Youth Services in 2014 as part of the provincial initiative, Moving on Mental Health.
Moving on Mental Health was an Ontario Provincial Strategy to help children, youth and families get mental health services in their communities that are accessible, responsive and meet their needs. To support children, youth and families across the province having access to the same core services, the Ministry identified 33 geographical service areas. Each designated service area has a LEAD that will plan to support the effective delivery of core child and youth mental health services within the communities they represent.
The responsibilities of Lead Agency falls into two broad categories:
- Core Service responsibilities – ensuring core community-based child and youth mental health services are available in every service area and,
- Local System responsibilities – ensuring the community-based sector works together with health care providers, schools and other organizations so young people get the support they need.
Keystone was also designated as the Coordinating Agency of Special Needs Strategy for Children in 2016. The organization was also designated as the Access Mechanism for Children in Grey Bruce in 2001.