DYP: record number of records pending in the eastern Townships

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Andy St-André

Friday, 30 march 2018 17:37

UPDATE
Friday, 30 march 2018 17:37

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Some 325 of these cases are still pending assessment at the directorate of youth protection (DYP) of the Estrie region, a record.

The situation is qualified as “unacceptable” by the director of the DYP at the CIUSSS of the eastern Townships-CHUS, Alain Trudel.

“The situation is downright alarming. Since the last three or four years, we note a strong increase in the number of reports to the DYP. In 2017, 1641 reports were retained. If the trend continues, it will reach nearly 1900 reports this year”, said Mr. Trudel.

Several factors may explain the fact that the processing of the files is longer. The increase in the number of reports selected and the lack of personnel are the two main. Although the DPJ to consider several elements when evaluating the situation of the child, it prioritizes the management of cases deemed urgent, that is to say, in a situation that requires immediate protection of the child. However, only 40 % of all calls placed to the DYP are retained.

“There must a be a change of mentality. There has been a lot of urgent files that arrive on our desks every week. Why go so far? There are front-line services that could help parents and their children before calling the DPJ”, adds Alain Trudel.

A known problem

The lack of staff at the DPJ puts a lot of pressure on the current employees who must manage dozens of folders. According to Emmanuel Breton, respondent policy, the Alliance’s professional and technical staff of the health and social services (APTS), the problem is not new, and “front-line services are also inundated with calls”.

“I think people have a good conscience. Even if they phone the front-line services, organizations, or even the CLSC, they will be unable to have answers to their questions. There is a lack of staff everywhere,” says Mr. Breton.

In a short response provided by e-mail, the office of the minister delegate to the Protection of the youth, Lucie Charlebois, said that “the ministry of Health and social Services recognizes the significant challenges experienced in the network, particularly in relation to the recruitment and retention of staff.” It also mentions that “work is underway with the directors of youth protection and the directions of the human resources of the CISSS and CIUSSS about it.”