Connect Wins the BC Premier’s Award for Innovation

Last Fall, Connect was chosen as the provincial recipient of the 2015 Premier’s Award in Innovation!

Click here to see the full video of The Connect Story.

Developed in collaboration between the Maples Adolescent Treatment Centre and Simon Fraser University, the Connect Parent Group addresses a critical gap in services for parents and caregivers of adolescents with serious behaviour and mental health problems. This 10-session program uses principles of attachment theory to help parents respond more effectively to challenges in their relationships with their teen. Ongoing program evaluation has shown significant reductions in adolescent aggressive and delinquent behaviour, improvements in anxiety and depression, and greater confidence and satisfaction among parents. Designed to be portable, easy to implement, and cost effective, Connect is delivered by a broad range of health service workers, maximizing availability and sustainability even in the most remote of regions. Connect has been adapted for adolescents with psychiatric illnesses, pre-adolescents, youth in foster care, and the hearing impaired. Connect has also been modified as a model of practice for residential staff and other professional caregivers.