THE Ridge Meadows RCMP, in partnership with the City of Maple Ridge, on Wednesday launched the Ridge Family and Youth Resource Support Team (FYRST) program.
Ridge FYRST is a new early intervention program for youth, and their families, who are vulnerable to an at-risk lifestyle and to falling subject to criminal activity. The program is designed to provide support to youth with the aim of fostering resilience through connections to school, community and each other by developing positive relationships. Ridge FYRST is funded as part of the Public Safety Canada’s Building Safer Communities Fund.
Ridge FYRST is a three-person unit: Constable Tisha Parsons is the RCMP Youth Liaison Officer, Danielle Bosma is the Youth Outreach Worker, and Samantha French is the Youth and Family Counsellor.
Ridge FYRST staff will conduct an individual and family assessment through a home visit, school visit or other location to determine the youth’s needs and level of risk. The assessment will be a collaborative effort between program staff, the youth, and their family to create an individualized client support plan based on the identified risk factors.
For more information on the Ridge FYRST program, please email the following address: Ridge_FYRST@rcmp-grc.gc.ca.Ridge FYRST referral criteria is as follows:
* Youth in grades 4 to 11 or ages 10 to 17
* Youth residing in Maple Ridge
* Youth is experiencing mild-moderate risk
* Youth is impacted by two or more compounding risk factors (mental health, substance use, family conflict, RCMP involvement)
“Ridge FYRST is an excellent way for us to ensure that there are a variety of supports and resources for our youth and families in Maple Ridge,” said Ridge Meadows Officer-in-Charge, Superintendent Wendy Mehat.
