Substance Use Health Program
Substance Use Health Program
A collaborative hospital-community model for youth substance use health services in Eastern Ontario.
About the Program
The Substance Use Health (SUH) Program is an initiative of Kids Come First that was co-designed and co-delivered in collaboration with the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO), Rideauwood Addiction and Family Services, Le Centre d’appui et de prévention (Le Cap), the Dave Smith Youth Treatment Centre, Ottawa Public Health, the CHEO Research Institute, the Knowledge Institute on Child and Youth Mental Health and Addictions, and the Ottawa Child and Youth Mental Health Lead Agency.
Delivered in English and French, the SUH Program operates in both community and hospital settings, offering trauma-informed, culturally responsive substance use health services to youth under 18 years old in Eastern Ontario. The program also provides family and caregiver services, including peer support.
Client Journey
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Program access begins through 1Call1Click.ca (a coordinated access & navigation service) or at CHEO.
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Youth are screened for substance use with the CRAFFT+N and connected to the program if substance use health risk is identified.
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Youth are offered a variety of services in English or French in-person at CHEO and community locations around Ottawa, or virtually, including:
- Brief intervention with an Addictions Counsellor from the Rideauwood or Le Cap followed by ongoing treatment, if indicated
- Care coordination and system navigation support
- Psychiatry consultation
- Referrals to community treatment programs, including the Dave Smith Youth Treatment Center
- Family services, including peer support with the Parent’s Lifeline of Eastern Ontario (Pleo)
Resources and Tools
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Implementation Guide for Organizations – coming soon!
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How can I refer a young person with substance use health needs to the program? Anyone can refer a youth or their family and caregivers to the program through 1Call1Click.ca.