Programs

Risk Reduction Services

Our Mission

The Risk Reduction Program is a proactive program which provides support services to individuals, children and families in need of services from the Ministry for Children and Family Development. The overall goal of this program is to strengthen individuals and families by helping them to reduce the risk issues in their lives so that they are better able to provide a safer, healthier environment for themselves and/or their children.

Who We Are

The Risk Reduction Services program serves the communities of Smithers and Telkwa. Our professional staff work, one-on-one, with children, youth, their families and a MCFD Social Worker to achieve the goals of support, intervention, and education aimed at eliminating or reducing risks to the well-being of the family. These goals are achieved through a variety of means which may include: providing Supervised Visitation, teaching life skills, offering parenting support, facilitating communication, mentoring, supportive listening and advocacy with other community agencies.

How do you access the service?

A Ministry for Children and Family Development (MCFD) Social Worker refers clients to the program. Typically referred clients have come to the attention of MCFD as a result of child protection issues, whether they are immediate concerns or family support issues. Referrals for youth are also made through the Youth Mental Health Program. The MCFD Social Worker determines the services that the individual or family members need to best support the family. A referral is then made to the Risk Reduction Services Program to provide these services.

If you would like to access services in the Risk Reduction Services program, contact your Smithers MCFD office at 250-847-7727 and ask for the Intake Social Worker. You can also visit the Smithers MCFD office at 3793 Alfred Avenue, Smithers.

If you need immediate support for your situation, you can contact the Provincial Child Protection Helpline at: 310-1234.

Contact

For more information on the Risk Reduction Services program contact
Lynne Derksen
Phone: 250-847-9515 or toll-free at 1-888-355-6222.
Email: riskreduction@scsa.ca