Youth Wellness Hubs Ontario sought funding through Integrated Youth Mental Health Funding to address Health Equity across several sites.  The Haliburton site was selected, and staff, youth, and family members highlighted a gap in current supports for youth who identify as Neurodiverse and/or LGBTQ2SI+.  Partnerships were formed with Community Living Trent Highlands and CMHA to hire a Clinician and Peer Specialist. These partnerships and positions have increased the capacity of the Haliburton Youth Wellness Hub team, and other local organizations to incorporate service users intersecting identities into all aspects of their care. This model of care is informed and strengthened by feedback from our youth advisory committee, collaborative learning with community partners and models of best practice. These initiatives, and staff roles, have significantly increased the capacity for the Youth Hub to provide safe, accessible and identity-affirming practices for neurodiverse and LGBTQ2SI+ Youth in our rural community.

Learning Objectives

1. To learn about some of the access and equity challenges facing youth who identify as LGBTQ2SI+ and/or neurodiverse.

2. Learn more about clinical supports and outreach targeted toward individuals who identify as LGBTQ2SI+ and Neurodiverse.

3. How an integrated team collaborates on holistic approaches with youth who may be accessing gender affirming care and identity may include neurodiversity.  

4. Learn more about possible partnerships and collaboration.

5. Learn more about how diverse teams (including those with lived experience) can collaborate to provide wraparound supports for youth and families.    

6. Learn about how the Haliburton Youth Wellness Hub and partner organizations expanded supports and potential applications in other communities and sites.