Our Model

Foundry’s model transforms access to services

1 in 4 Canadian youth is affected by mental health or substance use challenges.  

In Canada, 80% of substance use challenges begin by the age of 20 and 75% of all mental health disorders begin by age 24, but less than 25% of youth are currently receiving the mental health services they need. 

Foundry was created to remove barriers and increase access to quality care for youth ages 12-24 in British Columbia. At the community level, Foundry centres bring together and intentionally integrate health, wellness and social services through meaningful partnerships and connecting services that may be operated by multiple organizations. Provincially, Foundry becomes a collaborative network and learning community, supported by a central backbone organization, that reduces system silos, makes navigation easier within and across communities, and offers youth and families access to needed support.  

Integration at Foundry means more than bringing multiple services and agencies together in one place — it means services are coordinated. Service providers collaborate and share information to provide the right services at the right time based on a young person’s goals. Better integration means youth experience a single point of entry into a space that values relationship building, does not require referrals and empowers them as care-seekers. 

Foundry’s focus on relationship building is part of creating respectful and culturally safer environments in centres, where all young people and families can feel seen, heard and supported. We acknowledge and understand the legacy of harms from colonial institutions and systems, and we recognize it is our role to be part of the change. On an individual level, everyone in the Foundry network has the responsibility to change things for the better, through small actions that lead to bigger transformations.  

Foundry is part of the IYS movement in Canada

Along with Foundry, organizations across Canada are also taking this integrated youth services (IYS) approach.  

IYS is transformative. For youth, it offers wholistic services, facilitates access, and prioritizes collaboration and shared decision-making. For service providers and the broader system, it offers opportunities for shared learning, knowledge exchange and continuous improvement through data collection.  

The IYS initiatives collaborate and share resources, supporting each other to build a healthy future for young people across Canada.  

Foundry is powered by a collaborative network

Each Foundry centre is hosted by a Lead Agency, an organization that already works and holds relationships in that community. Lead Agencies range from First Nations-led organizations to mental health non-profits to regional health authorities.  

In each centre, multiple service providers and organizations work together as one seamless team, with everyone “wearing their Foundry hat.” Young people have access to a variety of services from a variety of service providers at the same place and often during the same visit. 

Foundry Central Office (FCO) is the backbone organization that supports centres to open and to deliver high-quality, evidence-based services. FCO provides a provincial lens across all Foundry centres and delivers capacity-building support in a range of areas including communications, practice and training, knowledge exchange and more. FCO operates as a program of Providence Health Care. 

Foundry’s model is about coming together, listening and learning 

Foundry’s IYS model has three core elements: redesigning service systems, co-creating experience with youth and families, and building a learning health system.  

Foundry provides person-centred services

Health at Foundry is more than just “medical” services. It includes five person-centred service streams: mental health, substance use health, physical and sexual health, peer support, and work, education and community services. Along with providing these services, Foundry focuses on the importance of culture and family in young people’s wellness.  

Services are connected and coordinated, with everyone working as a team in an integrated way across the service streams. 

Culturally Aligned Practices

As Foundry learns and evolves, culturally aligned practices are being woven into services. The values, beliefs and identities of youth and families are acknowledged and honoured. This includes strengthening relationships with Indigenous communities and embracing other ways of understanding health and wellness.  

Family Inclusive Services

Supporting strong family relationships is part of supporting youth.  

Families can be essential supporters and advocates, so providing them with knowledge, skills and tools promotes better outcomes for youth and for the whole family. A family member can engage with Foundry through counselling, peer support, and support and education groups, whether the young person in their life is accessing Foundry or not.  

When young people meet with Foundry service providers, they are encouraged to involve their families in their health and wellness journey in whatever way they’re comfortable.