Keystone Child, Youth and Family Services History

1971

Lobby group chaired by Judge Frederic Egener is established to seek services for children and youth in crisis

1974

Child and Adolescent Unit is established at the Dr. Mackinnon Phillips Hospital in Owen Sound – a provincial Psychiatric Hospital with funding from the Ministry of Health.  William Casey, Director  

1979

Transfer of responsibility and funding from the Ministry of Health to the Ministry of Community and Social Services. Llewellyn Joseph, Director

1982

A separately incorporated organization is established called Bruce Grey Children’s Services.  The group relocates from the hospital to downtown Owen Sound.  Wayne Richardson, Executive Director

1987

Resource Center opening, broadening the agency’s services

1988

Opening of the Walkerton sub-office

1989

Residential services get a permanent home when a house is purchased on 4th Avenue East in downtown Owen Sound.  Within a year, the program is expanded to 7 days a week, permitting focus on crisis situations

1994

Brighter Futures Programs established (CAPC)—funded by Federal Government-- Ministry of Health

1995

Full accreditation by the Ontario Association of Children’s Mental Health Centres

1996

Owen Sound office relocated to present facility on 2nd Avenue East

1997

Prenatal Nutrition/Healthy Beginnings Program established in partnership with Public Health

1999

WRAP (Working to Reinforce All Partnerships) Geographical Teams established with Bluewater and Catholic District School Boards

2000

Staff in Walkerton area move from central office to mobile community placements
     
Launch of Telepsychiatry Project involving the University of Toronto and the Hospital for Sick Children

E-Coli Crisis Response Team developed in Walkerton

2001

Bruce Grey Coordinated Access For Children established

2001

Expelled Pupil Program—Partnership with Bluewater District School Board

2002

Birth to Senior Kindergarten Program established for children 0-6

Rec Link in Wiarton and Dundalk – Trillium Grant

2004

Inaugural Family Fun Festival is held for families at Kelso Park – over 800 enjoy pony rides, crafts, games and entertainment

2005

Dennis Boyle becomes Executive Director.

Complex Multiple Needs funding established following Ombudsman’s Report

Youth Justice Funding - targeted for youth on Probation and at risk within the school system

2nd Annual Family Fun Festival

2006

Agency develops new identity - "Keystone Child, Youth and Family Services", the new name, is launched and becomes recognized throughout Grey and Bruce counties

New Strategic Plan established with a mission of "Building Futures Together"

Establishment of Multi-Disciplinary Paediatric Clinic - first provincial initiative to combine the talents and funding of Health, Education and Ministry of Children
and Youth Services (MCYS)

Keystone’s WRAP program recognized by Senator Michael Kirby while reviewing the work of his committee on Mental Health, Mental Illness and Addictions; "The best program in the country exists in Owen Sound"

Passport Program is launched, helping those with a developmental disability transition to the community after high school

Bruce/Grey Children’s Mental Health Respite program established

Autism service established for higher functioning autistic youth transitioning from elementary to secondary school

Services developed for Bruce Power employee families

Council of Ontario Directors of Education (CODE) WRAP Symposium

3rd Annual Family Fun Festival

2007

Inaugural “Friends of Keystone” event is held - celebrating retirees, past Board members and long-service volunteers

Community Day Treatment Walkerton Program launched in partnership with service system

Chocolate Gala at Bruce County Museum helps support Prenatal Nutrition and Respite Programs

Over 1200 attend 4th Annual Family Fun Festival

Keystone opens first provincial integrated child, youth and family mental health service as part of the new Owen Sound Family Health Team.

Student Board Member recognized as the first youth among 80 CMHO centers to be actively involved in agency governance

Agency revises/updates Web page

As we proceed through the rest of this year, and the years to come, Keystone Board members, Management, Staff and Volunteers are committed to working with all our partners to pursue our mission of BUILDING FUTURES TOGETHER!!! 

2008

Funding Approval Announcement from Assistant Deputy Ministers Aryeh Gitterman and Alexander Bezzina. Mental Health Services for Military Families—Operation Peace of Mind (OP-POM) 11/2 years 2008-9 & 2009-10.

Healthy Beginnings Program 10th Anniversary Celebration.

WRAP Thinking Together Process connecting our Program with the Alberta Minister of Health and Wellness the Honourable Dave Hancock. The Honourable Michael Kirby, Chair of the Mental Health Commission of Canada, sponsored this collaboration with emphasis on Innovation Funding to Build Mental Health Capacity in schools.

Ministries of Education and Children and Youth Services identify 29 geographic clusters and targeted 3 year funding for Student Support Leadership Initiative. Keystone partners with Bluewater and Bruce Grey Catholic District School Boards.

OEYC/CAPC programs profiled in report released by the Public Health Agency of Canada, which focused on Partnerships.

Supervisor category added to Management Leadership Team

Presentation to Safe Schools Symposium in Toronto re our Suspension/Expulsion Model and new WRAP-id program. The only Partnership program model in the Province.

Presentation to “Made in Ontario” conference—a showcase of leading practices for the Province in the field of Child and Youth Mental Health.

Funding confirmation from the Honourable Tony Clement Minister of Health and the Minister for the Federal Economic Development Initiative for Northern Ontario. Two years under the Tobacco Control Program.

Funding Support from the United Way Bruce and Grey related to our Residence, Community Day Treatment and Prevention Programs.

Autism respite dollars added to existing Mental Health respite services.

Hospital Protocol Agreement. Coordination effort between Keystone and Grey Bruce Health Services/Schedule 1/Owen Sound site related to short-term emergency services.

Provincial Mapping Submission regarding Children’s Mental Health Services.

Regional “translational” research with Dr. Eileen Pepler. Partnership with area office, IBM Canada, and the Ivey School of Business.

1500 attend 5th Annual Family Fun Festival

80 attend 2nd Annual Friends of Keystone Event

“Mini Conference” presentation Government House Alberta entitled “Collaborate of Kids Sake”.

2009

Presentation to Deputy Minister, Assistant Deputy Ministers, Program Directors, and Regional Directors related to Ministry of Children and Youth Services Strategic Framework for 2008-12.

Continued funding support from the Public Health Agency of Canada for its children’s programs as well as targeted funding for Diabetes Prevention and Tobacco Cessation and Harm-Reduction.

Partnership Agreement with London Health Sciences and Grey Bruce Health Services related to Outreach Services for Eating Disordered Youth.

Annual Renewal of Partnership Agreement with the Owen Sound Family Health Team.

Keystone launches own accreditation work plan.

Director of Service category added to Leadership team—replaces previous Manager designation.

Launch of Community Hub Service Model.

Community Day Treatment expansion.

3 Year Staff Collective Agreement.

Keystone Leads the way over the past 5 years! As measured by the Child and Adolescent Functional Assessment Scale, Cases with Clinically Meaningful Improvement rates: Ontario 65.09%, Region 66.73%, and Keystone 79.69%.

1827 People attend 6th Annual Family Fun Festival.

In April 2009, the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of Health made her first visit to a Canada Prenatal Nutrition Program (CPNP) right here in Owen Sound.