Examining Integrated Youth Services Using the Bioecological Model: Alignments and Opportunities.

Tanya Halsall,Ian Manion,Joanna Henderson

doi:10.5334/ijic.4165

Abstract

Integrated youth service (IYS) is a collaborative approach that brings practitioners together from across disciplines to provide comprehensive services including mental health care for youth and their families. IYS models serve as an advancement in practice as they go beyond the capacity of individual programs and services to reduce the fragmentation of care. Yet, there continue to be opportunities to expand on this perspective and promote health beyond the scope of formalized services. The bioecological model is a theoretical model that examines individual development within multiple systems of influence as well as through interactional processes between the individual and their environment. This paper provides an overview of the bioecological model and the major components of the IYS model, describing alignment and complementarity. The bioecological model provides some explanations for why IYS models may be effective and helps to provide direction to expand applied practice toward a more holistic perspective.

Highlights

There is a general consensus that the current youth services system in Canada is fragmented [1,2,3,4,5]
The bioecological model has been successfully applied within many fields to conceptualize successful holistic approaches to health and wellness promotion [9,10,11,12] and provides a potentially useful lens to support the enhancement of the youth service system
“Integrated youth service” [IYS] is an approach that was developed in response to a lack of access and coordination of services and has been recommended for application in youth populations [3]

Summary

Introduction

There is a general consensus that the current youth services system in Canada is fragmented [1,2,3,4,5]. The bioecological model has been successfully applied within many fields to conceptualize successful holistic approaches to health and wellness promotion [9,10,11,12] and provides a potentially useful lens to support the enhancement of the youth service system. It applies the bioecological model to identify gaps and future directions for IYS practice as well as implications for policy and program development.

Results

Conclusion