Clients are referred to Bernhardt House from four main sources:

• The Sopinka Court House in Hamilton;
• Referrals from other direct intake detention facilitys in our region, i.e.Brantford or Niagara courts
• Overflow from other regions
• Youth in transition from a Secure Custody disposition to an Open Custody disposition.

Responsibilities of being the Direct Intake Facility:

All Young Persons that have been charged with a criminal offence, have the right to a bail hearing within twenty-four hours. If the young person does not get released on bail, he or she is then remanded in Detention. At this point, the officials at Sopinka Court House contact Bernhardt House and provide the staff with the necessary information to classify the young person's level of detention and appropriate placement There are two levels of detention: Open Detention and Secure Detention. Under the Youth Justice Services Manual, it is expected that the young persons be placed in Secure Detention only if they meet certain criteria, or if there is approval from the Provincial Director. A young person's level of detention is determined by four main criteria: the severity of the young person's current charge; prior convictions within the past 12 months; any failures to appear for court; and any previous escapes from custody. If the young person meets the criteria for secure detention, Bernhardt House will contact Sopinka Court House and Arrell Youth Centre with the necessary information to coordinate the placement for the young person. If the young person does not meet secure criteria, they are then determined appropriate for Open Detention. Staff will contact Sopinka Court House and organize transportation of the young person to Bernhardt House. Staff at Bernhardt House determine what placement is most suitable for the young person's needs.

Bernhardt House is also the direct intake site for the placement of female young persons who obtain an Open Custody disposition (males and females 12-15). Similar to the detention process, Bernhardt House receives a call from the Sopinka Court House with the information that a young person received an open custody disposition. The young person is transported to Bernhardt House by Court Constables. The decision as to where the youth will be placed is made in consultation with the Ministry's Open Custody Placement Coordinator.

Intake Process:

During the intake process, staff fill out several forms and questionnaires that are designed to provide the Staff team with as much relevant information about the young person as possible. Staff will phone the guardians of the young person and, where necessary, staff will call the Lawyer, Probation, and CAS to gain any further information about the young person.

It is required by legislation that the young person is informed of the following:

• their rights as a young person in custody and their rights as a guardian;
• the internal grievance procedure, the role of the Ombudsman, and the Child Advocacy office;
• the behavioural expectations and general house rules;
• the fire escape procedures and a house tour;
• a general overview of the daily structured activities;

Once the paper work of the intake process is complete, the young person is encouraged to have a shower and is given a clean change of clothes. The youth is also encouraged to call their parent(s)/guardian(s). The young person may assimilate with the resident group after the intake process is completed, given there are no behavioural concerns or escape risks.

Programming.

Bernhardt House has a Section 23 classroom on site that is administered by a teacher from the Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board. The classroom is the main focus of daily programming. Other programs offered to the clients outside of the classroom are presented by qualified staff and by accessing the professionals within our community's resources.

Our areas of rehabilitation are mainly focused on:

• Pro Social Skills;
• Anger Management;
• Victim Awareness;
• Suicide Prevention;
• Planned Parenthood and Sexual Education;
• Substance Abuse;
• Life Skills...resume building, job search,hygiene, chores, house maintenance.

The most important element of rehabilitation is the effort that is put forth in building professional relationships with our clients and trying to teach them the importance of accountability, self awareness and a strong sense of values. The staff team put a great deal of pride into programming and are very diligent in providing the daily structure and consistency that is necessary for a safe and healthy environment.

For more information about Bernhardt House, please contact: Mike Troskot, Program Manager.

Bernhardt House is located at:

125 Victoria Avenue South, Hamilton, ON L8N 2S9

Tel: 905-528-2315
Fax: 905-528-8778
 

Originally established with the generous funding of the Hamilton Community Foundation

The project consists of two steps:

Component One is called Academic Readiness and consists of a classroom, a certified Teacher and a School Counsellor. Students work on credits toward achieving a secondary school diploma and/or vocational readiness,as well as participating in various therapeutic activities. On-site individual and group counselling are incorporated into each student’s Plan of Care.

Component Two is called Transition and consists of a School Transition Counsellor advocating and mediating on behalf of our students to ensure they successfully integrate into community school or receive appropriate vocational placement support. The Transition Counsellor will maintain regular contact with the student for consistent support. The Plan of Care goals will continue to address individual needs.

Service Components

• Credit Courses;
• Individualized programming thought which youths can work at their own learning pace;
• Low teacher to student ratio;
• Individual & Group Counselling that addresses behavioural/social issues;
• Advocacy/Supervision/Support for transition into community school;

Who Can Apply For BRIDGE?

• Young Persons who are enrolled in a Section 23 classroom in a custody setting, prior to discharge;
• Any youth being discharged from custody mid-semester or having difficulty finding a community school placement;
• Any youth on a Probation Order whose Probation Officer believes needs special academic or vocational programming.

Those youths interested in applying fill out an application with the teacher/counsellor and send it to BRIDGE. If the student is accepted into the BRIDGE Classroom (we have two classrooms, each with a capacity of 8-10 students), he or she can start immediately upon release. A student may start with either Component One or Component Two depending on their needs.

Our Community Partners

• Hamilton Probation & Parole Services;
• YMCA;
• Youth Employment Centre;
• Sexual Health Awareness Centre;
• Alternatives for Youth;
• Threshold School of Building;
• Hamilton Literacy Council;
• Area Detention/Custody facilities.

For more information about BRIDGE, please contact: Mike Troskot, Program Manager.

BRIDGE is located at:

837 King Street East, Hamilton, ON L8M 1B3

TEL: 905-523-0407

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