The group discussed immediate and long-term strategies to enhance the safety of community members and youth at Bosco Homes and Strathcona County. The meeting involved representatives from Children and Youth Services, Edmonton and Area Child and Family Services, Bosco Homes, Strathcona County, Strathcona County RCMP, and the Strathcona Residents’ Association (concerned citizens group).

“This meeting was a positive first step to the ongoing dialogue needed to achieve a goal that we all share - providing youth in care with the positive environment they need to overcome their challenges and providing local residents with safe and secure communities,” said Children and Youth Services Minister Janis Tarchuk.

During the meeting, the working group discussed outstanding community concerns (as represented by the Strathcona Residents’ Association) and potential solutions, including the possible establishment of a Community Advisory Committee of citizens and representatives from Children and Youth Services, Edmonton and Area Child and Family Services, Strathcona County, Strathcona County RCMP, and Bosco Homes. The working group agreed that all stakeholders will have equal and respected input. They plan to meet within the next week to continue their efforts.

Children and Youth Services, Edmonton and Area Child and Family Services, and Bosco Homes also committed to immediately take steps aimed at addressing community safety concerns, which the parties see as a necessary step to being able to discuss options and arrive at solutions. These steps include:

• Increasing the number of staff caring for and supervising youth at the facility.
• Discontinuing admissions of youth to the facility from inside or outside of the province until outstanding community concerns are addressed.
• Looking at absent without permission practices and policies in other jurisdictions to identify leading practices that may be applied in Alberta.
• Continuing to look at placement of existing youth residing at Bosco to ensure appropriateness of placement.
• Commitment to share data that would examine and attempt to reduce risk to the community.

“We want to make a difference in the community and we have a passionate desire to make this work,” said head of the Strathcona Residents’ Association Jim Stephens. “A commitment to working together with equal and respected voices is a good first step. We also want to ensure that the Community Advisory Committee can deliver a measureable impact.”

“I’m encouraged that this is the start of a process with the potential to address real issues,” said Strathcona County Mayor Cathy Olesen. “The creation of the working group forms a good foundation toward resolving the concerns of our community.”

“The meeting that took place last night was very promising and an important first step in ensuring that all community stakeholders are actively involved in promoting and ensuring community safety,” said Inspector Gary Steinke, Officer in Charge of the Strathcona RCMP. “There is no doubt that Strathcona County is one of the safest communities in Alberta, and the RCMP is committed to ensuring the safety of both the members of the community and the youth at Bosco.”

“We look forward to the opportunity to engage the community in further discussions that will result in both greater understanding of balancing the needs of the children and youth served by Bosco and the needs of the community,” said John Watson, President of the Bosco Homes Board.

The working group will announce the date and location for a community meeting in the near future.

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