Canopy Village expanding services to at-risk youth

Canopy Village on Friday announced a new initiative to expand its services to divert at-risk and justice-involved youth from the juvenile justice and child welfare systems through family-centered services in Region 1 of Idaho. 

The agency has received a large grant from the Idaho Department of Juvenile Corrections' Parent Coaching and Family Partnership. Funds will support the development of a sustainable service model implemented and scaled to meet growing needs. 

Currently, limited funding has prevented Canopy Village from advancing programs that have proven to be effective but remain significantly under-resourced in North Idaho. 

“This initiative is about closing gaps in our community systems and supporting families during critical moments in a young person’s life,” said Rosa Mettler, Canopy Village executive director.

The pilot expansion aims to create a comprehensive continuum of care that reduces service delays, prevents unnecessary involvement in the justice system and ensures that youth and families receive consistent and timely programming during critical intervention periods, a press release said.

A central component of the initiative is the launch of a family-centered internal program that supports families and diverts youth from entering juvenile justice or child welfare systems, allowing referred youth to be immediately enrolled in services without relying on external providers. 

This model will be complemented by structured, evidence-informed group programming, social-emotional skill development, life skills and substance use disorder support, along with peer mentoring and family engagement services designed to strengthen long-term outcomes, the release said.

To support this expansion, Canopy Village will build workforce capacity through a hybrid model of trained volunteers, peer support specialists and family support professionals, supported by licensed clinical oversight. 

In addition, the organization will develop formalized, billable service models with improved documentation and reporting systems to ensure long-term sustainability and reduce reliance on unstable funding sources. 

“By creating immediate access to services and building a strong, sustainable support system, we can change trajectories for youth and families across our region," Mettler said.

Canopy Village is seeking partnerships to implement the pilot program and expand its impact throughout North Idaho.