(File photo/650 CKOM)

By CKOM News Staff

App launched to reduce number of youths reported missing from care

Jan 24, 2023 | 12:04 PM

EGADZ, a Saskatoon youth outreach organization, is aiming to reduce the number of youths reported missing from government care by launching a new app that provides more tools and information to youth workers.

The app lets youth workers assess a youth’s risk level — including factors like mental illness or drug use — if they don’t return to their home as scheduled, EGADZ and Saskatchewan’s Ministry of Social Services said in a joint statement.

The app guides youth workers through the process of making a missing person report, and allows them to share the young person’s information with local police “with the click of a button.”

The app was demonstrated Tuesday in Saskatoon and, according to the ministry, will be tested in Saskatoon during a pilot project before ultimately being rolled out to agencies across the province in the months ahead.

“Not all young people who miss a check-in with their worker are at risk of harm,” Don Meikle, executive director of EGADZ, said in a statement. “Our youth committee was really clear that we need to engage police services for youth who need to be prioritized and report young people who are truly at risk.”

respected leader

LLRIB announces death of former chief

1h ago

space exploration

Jeremy Hansen challenges future generations to break new Artemis record

2h ago

'THERE IS SO MUCH TALENT IN MEADOW LAKE'

Carpenter High School's drama department heads to regional competition

2h ago

Meikle said the new app builds on EGADZ’s Operation Runaway risk assessment tool, which has been showing positive results since it was implemented, resulting in a steady decline in the number of young people reported missing from EGADZ homes.

Saskatoon MLA Ken Cheveldayoff said the provincial government was happy to chip in $50,000 to the project.

“EGADZ continues to be one of the most innovative community-based organizations in all of Canada, and we are so proud to partner with them to support vulnerable youth here in Saskatoon,” Cheveldayoff said in a statement.

Randy Huisman, deputy chief of the Saskatoon Police Service, said close relationships between police and organizations like EGADZ are very important.

“The Saskatoon Police Service has had a long and successful partnership with EGADZ in our joint efforts to address the needs of youth at risk,” Huisman said in a statement.

“We look forward to the digital expansion of the Operation Runaway program and the opportunity to build additional working relationships with other youth care homes.”