What is IYS?
What Makes Kickstand Unique?
Kickstand offers an integrated, youth-focused approach to care that goes beyond traditional health services. We provide meaningful, timely, and empowering support that emphasizes relationships, community, and holistic wellness.
- Accessible, Youth-Friendly Care
Our services are convenient and welcoming, with flexible hours, no-cost access, no referrals, and inclusive, 2SLGBTQIA+ friendly spaces. We work directly with youth and families to meet their real-time needs. - Holistic Support Beyond Treatment
Kickstand includes social services like recreation, housing, and vocational programs, recognizing that wellness is more than just medical care. Our approach helps youth build strong community connections and support networks. - Early and Lasting Connections
We focus on building relationships early, ensuring youth and families feel safe and know where to turn for support—whether it’s for a meal, a program, or a service. - Collaborative, Integrated Care
Kickstand’s model of care involves seamless collaboration with young people, families, and local organizations. Our system enhances accessibility, continuity of care, and overall service quality, creating stronger, connected communities for youth.
10 Principles of Integrated Youth Services at Kickstand:
Engaging
Kickstand involves youth, families, and caregivers in co-creation, decision-making, and governance. Our Youth Action Council (YAC) and Family and Caregiver Advisory Council (FCAC) lead initiatives and participate in working groups to ensure services reflect the needs of those we serve.Youth-Centered
Our services are welcoming, safe, and inclusive, designed to meet the unique needs of diverse youth across Alberta. We prioritize relationship-building to create a safe space for all.Responsive
Kickstand listens actively to youth, families, and caregivers, making timely changes based on feedback. Through measurement-based care, we ensure personalized support that respects choice and self-determination.Collaborative
We partner with virtual and physical service providers, ensuring that care is delivered through strong, collaborative partnerships. Our lead agencies foster community relationships and coordinated care.Culturally Safe
Kickstand creates culturally safe spaces for all youth, recognizing intersectionality and working with Indigenous partners to offer tailored wellness services for Indigenous youth.Socially Just
Our anti-oppressive, anti-racist, and decolonizing practices are embedded in our governance and services. Kickstand’s EDID (Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Decolonization) framework ensures that all staff are trained in cultural competency.Wholistic
We take a trauma-informed, harm-reduction approach to care, integrating mental health, physical health, substance use, and social services into our six service streams.Health-Focused
Kickstand promotes early intervention, utilizing a stepped care model to match services to youth needs. Measurement-based care ensures we track progress and adjust care as needed.Learning and Improving
We continuously evolve through data, research, and community input, ensuring that our services remain innovative and responsive to the needs of Alberta’s youth.Inclusive and Intentional Partnerships
Strong partnerships with lead agencies, Indigenous communities, and other stakeholders ensure that Kickstand centers are tailored to the unique needs of each community, fostering equity and inclusion.
Federation of Integrated Youth Services Networks
Federation of Integrated Youth Services Networks (FIYSN) – members from IYS initiatives from across Canada work together to develop and provide a pan-Canadian vision of IYS, support resources and learning, communication platform and guidanceÂ
In Canada, IYS emerged organically through partnerships between federal research agencies, philanthropic foundations, provincial/territorial governments, and youth and family advocates (Fowler et al., 2022), with a focus on gathering and exchanging knowledge about how best to provide meaningful services and programs for youth (Hardan, 2020)Â
Explore other provincial IYS initiatives below.
