Digital literacy is a vital tool for education, employment and economic participation, civic engagement, and even health and wellness. It reinforces existing inequalities based on socioeconomic status, ethnicity, education, immigration status and gender. Given the importance of digital literacy skills to under-represented populations, MediaSmarts and YWCA Canada have partnered to develop and deliver DigitalSmarts, a digital literacy skills program.
Parents & Educators
- Home
- Community Safety
- For Youth
- Parents & Educators
The Sault Ste. Marie Police Service is committed to helping children and youth in our community thrive and avoid becoming victims or perpetrators of crime.
We recognize that a child’s home and school environment play a vital role in their overall well-being. Being a good parent or educator doesn’t mean being perfect—it means being open to learning, growing, and supporting the children in your care.
To assist you, we’ve gathered a variety of helpful resources, including local and online tools, to empower you to guide children and students toward success in an ever-changing world. Explore these resources to find the support and information you need.
Digital Resources
There are many educational resources available to help teach your children/students how to stay safe, as well as training for adults. We have compiled some of these resources for your convenience!
Automatically Stay Informed of Emerging Online Risks to Children
Operated by the Canadian Centre for Child Protection, ProtectKidsOnline.ca is designed to assist parents/guardians in protecting their children on the Internet and reducing their risk of victimization. Information is regularly gleaned from Cybertip.ca to create current, developmentally appropriate prevention material.
Stay on top of the latest resources and information for parents and caregivers to help keep kids safe online and offline. Click here to sign up for the newsletter.
You may also wish to sign up to receive Cybertip.ca Alerts, notifications sent out to inform the public of concerning technology trends and new resources designed to increase children’s personal safety.
Bullying
Below are some FREE resources about bullying, courtesy of PREVNet.
PREVNet is a national not-for-profit organization dedicated to preventing youth interpersonal violence.
Identity-Based Bullying Online Training for Educators
Online training for educators to help you better understand how to prevent and respond to identity-based bullying.
- To help you prepare for this series, please download and read the Intro to the Series document.
- Online Modules
Healthy Relationships Training Module
The HRTM gives adults the training they need to help young people develop healthy social skills. It emphasizes the importance of healthy relationships between adults, between adults and youth, and between youth, and prevents unhealthy relationships, bullying, and violence among people of all ages.
- Online Modules
- Section 1: Basics of a Healthy Relationship
- Section 2: Power in Relationships
- Section 3: Peer Dynamics and Bullying
- Section 4: Strategies to Promoting Healthy Relationships
- Section 5: Creating Healthy Group and Social Climates
Below are some FREE resources about bullying, courtesy of Safe@School.
- Classroom curriculum resources divided by grade level
The Cyberbullying Prevention and Intervention Course for Youth
- An online, scenario-based course about cyberbullying.
Below are some FREE resources about bullying, courtesy of Bullying Canada.
Lifeline: Bullied Youth Support Network
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A 365-day-a-year, 24-hours-a-day, 7-days-a-week national support network. We offer life-changing assistance to Canadian bullied kids via telephone, email and texting.
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Lifeline's highly trained Support Responders and Professional Counsellors provide support and intervention to prevent and stop bullying. Lifeline volunteers are trained in counselling, suicide prevention, mediation and problem-solving.
- Typically, BullyingCanada proactively remains involved for two to three weeks, but more complex situations have required support for months or a year or more to resolve.
Call our toll-free number: (877) 352-4497 and follow the prompts to access our Lifeline Support Team!
Prefer to text?
- Text us anytime! Simply send an SMS message to: (877) 352-4497
Prefer to email?
Below are some FREE resources about bullying, courtesy of Committee for Children.
Worksheets:
Child Sexual Abuse (Educational Materials for Children and Youth)
Below are some FREE resources (some of which you can order physical copies of with free shipping), courtesy of the Canadian Centre for Child Protection. Some resources are meant to be completed together.
- Safety Planning Information for Parents of Children Ages 4 - 7
- Topics include safe grown-ups, identifying and labelling feelings, naming body parts, developing healthy boundaries, safe and unsafe situations, okay and not okay secrets,
Personal Safety: 5 topics for discussion with 4- to 7-year-olds
- This sheet provides parents and educators with 5 personal safety topics to discuss with the children 4 to 7 years of age.
Safety Rocks Activity Book (Grades 3 and 4)
- Safety Rocks is an activity book for children in grades 3 and 4 to help them learn about ways to stay safe. The activities are designed to teach children that using safety habits everyday helps keep them safe.
Be Smart, Strong, & Safe Activity Book (Grade 5/6)
- This activity book helps children in Grades 5 and 6 develop an understanding of how our feelings are connected to our actions; healthy and unhealthy behaviours; how to set boundaries; and how to talk to a safe adult when something makes them feel uncomfortable. When children learn about what behaviours are unhealthy, understand how to set boundaries, and can identify when someone has broken a boundary, it reduces their vulnerability to victimization, and increases their personal safety.
What's the Deal Activity Book (Grade 7/8)
- This activity book teaches youth in Grades 7 and 8 about healthy relationships and boundaries. Through various engaging activities, youth will be able to identify the difference between healthy and unhealthy relationships, how to set personal boundaries, and how to get out of uncomfortable situations when those boundaries have been broken. Youth will learn how easy it is to lose control of information and photos shared online, and when to get help from a safe adult.
It is a Big Deal Activity Book Grades 9-12
- This activity book teaches teens the difference between healthy and unhealthy dating relationships, including the issue of sexual consent. Through various activities, teens will learn about love vs. control in dating relationships, self-peer exploitation (“sexting”), Canada’s sexual consent laws, and how to get help if they find themselves in an uncomfortable situation. Building teen’s safety confidence and competence in this way reduces their vulnerability to victimization, and increases their personal safety.
Child Sexual Abuse (Educational Resources for Adults)
Cybertip.ca - Report Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation
As Canada’s tipline for reporting online child sexual abuse and exploitation, Cybertip.ca is also a place for Canadians to turn to for help with concerns about shared intimate images, online luring, and other areas involving child victimization on the internet.
Below are some FREE resources (some of which you can order physical copies of with free shipping) about protecting children from child sexual abuse, courtesy of the Canadian Centre for Child Protection.
Child Sexual Abuse: It Is Your Business
- The Child Sexual Abuse: It Is Your Business booklet includes information adults need to know about child sexual abuse, the disclosure process and key prevention tips.
Commit to Kids Guide for Parents Brochure
- The Commit to Kids Guide for Parents brochure is designed to educate parents about risks and help them mobilize their communities to create safer environments for children. Topics include understanding child sexual abuse, grooming, age of consent, boundaries, misconduct/inappropriate behaviour, reporting, disclosure, and more.
- This guide is intended to help adults who work with children understand the range of sexualized behaviours in children, and help them respond appropriately to situations where children are demonstrating sexualized behaviour.
- Protecting Your Child is intended to help parents/guardians better understand the issue of child sexual abuse. Topics covered include the scope of child sexual abuse, personal boundaries, adult supervision, children’s use of internet-enabled devices, concerning sexual behaviour in children, what to talk to your child about, and reporting.
Understanding Child Sexual Abuse
- Understanding Child Sexual Abuse is for protective parents/guardians where child sexual abuse has been discovered or is suspected. It outlines the scope of the child sexual abuse, what child sexual abuse is, how the grooming process works, impacts of the abuse, and tips for parents/guardians on how to handle disclosure.
Child Sexual Abuse: Picking up the Pieces
- Child Sexual Abuse: Picking up the Pieces addresses how parents/guardians may feel after abuse is discovered and what their child may be experiencing emotionally, as well as practical and tangible steps parents/guardians can take to support their child and get support for themselves as a parent/guardian.
- Safeguarding Your Child is for parents/guardians whose child was or may have been sexually abused. It builds on Child Sexual Abuse: Picking up the Pieces and helps parents/guardians continue on the healing journey, addressing issues that may present as their child gets older.
Online Child Sexual Victimization: Picking up the Pieces
- Online Child Sexual Victimization: Picking up the Pieces is for parents/guardians whose tween/teenage child has experienced online victimization. It offers practical considerations for how they can support their child, take appropriate action to protect them, and help them to move forward and heal.
Commit to Kids Training Programs - Helping Organizations Prevent Child Sexual Abuse
The Commit to Kids program helps child-serving organizations reduce the risk of sexual abuse and create safer environments for children in their care.
Through the use of print material, with customizable templates, check lists, and electronic resources, as well as online training, Commit to Kids offers tailored options to help organizations create a culture of safety in which employees/volunteers feel confident in both their interactions with children and their decision making when it comes to reporting inappropriate behaviour.
- Commit to Kids: Foundational Information for Safeguarding Children from Sexual Abuse (FREE)
- For individuals who work with children looking for foundational information on child sexual abuse, or those looking to refresh their knowledge on the topic. Parents who have children in child-serving organizations may also find the content relevant.
- The scope of child sexual abuse
- Barriers to disclosure
- Grooming and boundary transgressions
- How you can help safeguard children from sexual abuse
- For individuals who work with children looking for foundational information on child sexual abuse, or those looking to refresh their knowledge on the topic. Parents who have children in child-serving organizations may also find the content relevant.
- Commit to Kids Online Training ($20)
- The Commit to Kids Online Training is ideal for administrators, staff, front-line workers, and volunteers. This online training consists of eight separate modules that address the following:
- the definition of child sexual abuse
- the grooming process
- handling disclosures of child sexual abuse
- the impact of child sexual abuse
- creating a Child Protection Code of Conduct for your organization
- policies and procedures to use to protect children in your organization
- the C2K program for child-serving organizations
- A certificate of completion will be issued upon completion of all modules and a successful knowledge validation test.
- The Commit to Kids Online Training is ideal for administrators, staff, front-line workers, and volunteers. This online training consists of eight separate modules that address the following:
- Commit to Kids for Coaches ($20)
- This online training consists of eight separate modules that address the following:
- the definition of child sexual abuse
- the grooming process
- handling disclosures of child sexual abuse
- the impact of child sexual abuse
- creating a Child Protection Code of Conduct for your organization
- policies and procedures to use to protect children in your organization
- the C2K program for child-serving organizations
- A certificate of completion will be issued upon completion of all modules and a successful knowledge validation test.
- National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP) Points: Upon completion of this training and a successful knowledge validation test, coaches will receive three NCCP professional development points towards the maintenance of certification. Users will be required to enter their NCCP ID number and birthdate prior to completing the test.
- This online training consists of eight separate modules that address the following:
Child Sexual Abuse (Sports Organizations)
Online Training via Commit to Kids:
Commit to Kids for Coaches ($20)
This online training consists of eight separate modules that address the following:
- the definition of child sexual abuse
- the grooming process
- handling disclosures of child sexual abuse
- the impact of child sexual abuse
- creating a Child Protection Code of Conduct for your organization
- policies and procedures to use to protect children in your organization
- the C2K program for child-serving organizations
A certificate of completion will be issued upon completion of all modules and a successful knowledge validation test.
National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP) Points: Upon completion of this training and a successful knowledge validation test, coaches will receive three NCCP professional development points towards the maintenance of certification. Users will be required to enter their NCCP ID number and birthdate prior to completing the test.
Free Resources (PDFs) via Commit to Kids
- Guidelines for Adults Interacting with Children in Sport
- Reporting Child Sexual Abuse and Misconduct
- Steps to Reporting Inappropriate Behaviour
- Travel Guidelines to Help Protect Children in Sport
- Resource Supplement for Travel Guidelines to Help Protect Children in Sport
Digital Literacy / Media Literacy
Digital media literacy is the ability to critically, effectively and responsibly access, use, understand, and engage with media of all kinds.
Digital Literacy Program - Government of Alberta
- This free, self-guided program is available to anyone looking to build or improve their existing digital literacy skills.
- Includes a beginner curriculum and intermediate curriculum
MediaSmarts is Canada’s bilingual centre for digital media literacy. A registered charity, MediaSmarts has been conducting research, developing resources and advancing digital media literacy since 1996.
- Resources for Parents
- Resources include blogs, online games, tips sheets, guides, workshops & tutorials, and videos related to countless digital media literacy topics
- Resources for Teachers
- Resources include lesson plans, blogs, online games, tips sheets, guides, workshops & tutorials, and videos related to countless digital media literacy topics
- Looking for creative ways to integrate digital media literacy activities into your teaching practice? We've developed this calendar of special awareness days for educators to easily pinpoint opportunities to explore a variety of digital media issues while recognizing commemorative events throughout the school year. We've linked each awareness day to a list of free K-12 lesson plans, tip sheets and more teaching resources.
e-Tutorials
The Break the Fake: How to tell what's true online workshop will teach audiences four quick, easy steps they can take to spot misinformation and find out if something online is true or not. Designed for audiences aged 11 and up, this workshop comes with everything you need to host a 60-minute presentation - including a slideshow, facilitator guide and handouts.
The Critical Thinking Across the Curriculum workshop provides teachers with a comprehensive approach to fostering critical thinking skills at all grade levels, with particular attention to addressing online misinformation and online hate through teaching critical thinking. The workshop looks at exactly what critical thinking is and why we need to teach it; explores how we can teach students how to think critically, including looking at different ways of approaching it for different parts of the curriculum; and finally, looks at how we can get students – and ourselves – to switch to using better shortcuts to critical thinking.
The Digital Literacy Training Program for Canadian Educators workshop provides an overview of essential digital literacy skills and key concepts of media and digital literacy, familiarizes participants with the digital experiences of Canadian youth, and introduces the resources and tools that are available through MediaSmarts’ USE, UNDERSTAND & CREATE digital literacy framework.
Respecting Yourself and Others Online Workshop
The Respecting Yourself and Others Online workshop was created to provide tweens and young teens with strategies and knowledge that will help them respect themselves, respect others and respect the space when using social media.
Understanding the connected world of kids and teens can be challenging for parents because adults don’t communicate online in the same way and are not necessarily using the same social media. Even more challenging is the reality that there’s always something new coming around the corner.
Intended for girls in grades 7-9, Half Girl, Half Face explores many of the online image issues teenage girls may encounter when they use digital media – particularly social networks.
The Raising Ethical Kids For a Networked World tutorial examines some of the moral dilemmas that kids face in their online activities and shares some strategies to help them build the social and emotional intelligence that’s needed to support ethical decision making – and build resiliency if things go wrong.
The Parenting the Digital Generation workshop looks at the various activities kids love to do online and offers tips and strategies for everything from Facebook privacy settings, online shopping, cyberbullying, to protecting your computer from viruses.
The Facing Online Hate tutorial examines how the Internet is used to spread and incite hate – and how parents, community leaders and educators can respond. The first part of the tutorial provides an overview of hate and prejudice online and how it can radicalize young people and have a negative impact on both online and offline communities. The second part covers how teachers and parents can prepare young people to recognize online hate, to respond and to push back when they see it.
The That’s Not Me tutorial focuses on the role that mainstream media play in shaping our perceptions about diversity. The tutorial explores what we see – and what we don’t see – on TV and in newspapers, video games, movies, the internet and other media. The tutorial looks at common trends in media portrayals of diversity and examines the reasons behind these trends; explores some of the factors behind media bias when covering diversity issues; and talks about the importance of media education to talking about diversity issues and empowering young people to take action.
Kids in the Know (Canadian Centre for Child Protection’s National Safety Education Program)
Kids in the Know is the Canadian Centre for Child Protection’s interactive safety education program designed for students from Kindergarten to High School.
Click here to learn more about the program and order materials.
Learn about the goals of the Kids in the Know program:
- To reduce child/youth victimization by teaching children effective personal safety strategies.
- To build resiliency skills (i.e. assertiveness, self-awareness, social-emotional competence, problem-solving, critical thinking, and low-risk choice making skills).
- To encourage children to report concerning experiences and behaviours.
- To provide messaging to those who have experienced abuse that they are not to blame.
- To enhance communication between parents and children about personal safety.
Online Safety
Below are some FREE resources about online safety, courtesy of the Canadian Centre for Child Protection.
Digital Lessons
Grade 9/10 Online Safety Digital Lesson
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This educator-facilitated lesson covers topics such as healthy and unhealthy relationships, sexual consent and sexual violence, sextortion, AI and deepfakes, as well as where teens can to go for help.
Grade 11/12 Online Safety Digital Lesson
- This lesson is for teachers to use in schools with youth in grades 11-12. The lesson addresses harmful stereotypes, how to identify coercion and control in relationships, how to assert resistance skills in unhealthy situations, how to maintain personal boundaries, and where to seek help and support.
Comic Books
- Zoe & Molly Online: Stuck in a Weird Spot (Grade 3)
- The Zoe and Molly Online: Stuck in a Weird Spot comic book helps children in Grade 3 understand that some online content can be inappropriate, and that it is okay to talk to a safe adult when exposed to harmful content.
- Zoe & Molly Online: When Online Games Get Weird (Grade 4)
- This comic book reinforces one of the 7 Root Safety Strategies, "If asked to share and your parents aren’t aware, say NO.” It was created to help teach children in grade 4 about risks associated with sharing personal information and sending pictures online.
Postcards
Below are some FREE resources about online safety, courtesy of the Embrace Life Council.
- Here, you will find downloadable, printable PDF copies of our online safety booklets for children (up to 9 years of age), and tweens/teens (10-17 years of age) in Inuktitut, English, Inuinnaqtun and French.
Safeguarding Children & Youth: Human Trafficking Children for Sexual Exploitation (Training Video)
This 17-minute training video provides adults within schools and other youth-serving organizations information to build capacity to safeguard youth from trafficking for sexual exploitation. Learn about trafficking in Canada, signs to watch for, what to do if you have concerns, and how to support youth.
Self/Peer Exploitation (e.g. Sexting, Nude Images Leaked Online)
Below are some FREE resources (some of which you can order physical copies of with free shipping) about understanding and protecting children from self/peer exploitation, courtesy of the Canadian Centre for Child Protection.
What's the Deal Activity Book (Grade 7/8)
- This activity book teaches youth in Grades 7 and 8 about healthy relationships and boundaries. Through various engaging activities, youth will be able to identify the difference between healthy and unhealthy relationships, how to set personal boundaries, and how to get out of uncomfortable situations when those boundaries have been broken. Youth will learn how easy it is to lose control of information and photos shared online, and when to get help from a safe adult.
It is a Big Deal Activity Book Grades 9-12
- This activity book teaches teens the difference between healthy and unhealthy dating relationships, including the issue of sexual consent. Through various activities, teens will learn about love vs. control in dating relationships, self-peer exploitation (“sexting”), Canada’s sexual consent laws, and how to get help if they find themselves in an uncomfortable situation. Building teen’s safety confidence and competence in this way reduces their vulnerability to victimization, and increases their personal safety.
A Resource Guide for Schools: Addressing Self/Peer Exploitation (2nd Ed.)
- The purpose of this resource guide is to help educate school personnel about the issue of self/peer exploitation and offer them a structure and framework on how to respond if a self/peer exploitation incident does occur with students in their school. The resource guide also discusses how to minimize the circulation of the image/video in question, as well as how to appropriately respond to the harmful impact these incidents can have upon the affected youth as well as the school and community at-large.
A Resource Guide for Families: Addressing Self/Peer Exploitation (2nd Ed.)
- This resource designed to assist families when responding to a self/peer exploitation incident and is also a useful tool to use as a basis for discussion with a child about preventing her/his involvement in this type of activity.
Flow Chart: Steps to Address Self/Peer Exploitation Incidents
- This flow chart for professionals working with youth outlines steps for addressing self/peer exploitation (youth creating, sending, or sharing sexual images and/or videos with peers online or through electronic devices).
NeedHelpNow.ca
NeedHelpNow.ca helps teens stop the spread of sexual pictures or videos and provides support along the way.
If a nude of you under the age of 18 has been shared online, or you have experienced luring, sextortion, or other forms of online sexual violence as a youth, our support team can:
- Help you with next steps
- Send notices to assist with having offending accounts suspended and/or removed
- Send notices to platforms through Project Arachnid, our tool to help take down abusive images
- Help connect you to additional services like counselling/therapy, peer support, or victim services that are a right fit, and available in your area
Resources (Print or Order for Free)
- NeedHelpNow.ca – "We Can Help" Poster
- NeedHelpNow.ca – "We Can Help" Wallet-sized Card
- NeedHelpNow.ca – "Steps to Take" Sextortion Poster
- Need Help Now #ChangeTheStory Handwritten Poster
- Need Help Now #ChangeTheStory Manifesto Poster
Take It Down is a free service that can help you remove or stop the online sharing of nude, partially nude, or sexually explicit images or videos taken of you when you were under 18 years old. You can remain anonymous while using the service and you won’t have to send your images or videos to anyone. Take It Down will work on public or unencrypted online platforms that have agreed to participate.
It’s scary when this happens to you, but it can happen to anyone. You’ve taken the first step, and we’re here to help you with the next steps. Take It Down is a service provided by the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children.
Teen Dating Violence
Below are some FREE resources about teen dating violence, courtesy of PREVNet.
Guides and Tip Sheets
Teachers: Responding to Teen Dating Violence
- This guide includes case studies and activities that educators can use to discuss teen dating violence with students.
- This document is a guide for educators. It is important that educators know how to support their students in learning how control within relationships occurs along a spectrum and how to address some of the specific control tactics concerns.
Preventing Dating Violence in Autistic Youth: Tipsheet for Service Providers and Teachers
- A background on autism and dating violence, with tips for how to identify and prevent it.
Consent: How You Can Support Students Learning About Consent and Boundaries
- A guide for educators to help them support their students in learning about consent and boundaries within their relationships.
Romantic Relationships and LGBTQ Youth: Tips and Strategies for Parents and Educators
- This handout is from a webinar in December 2020 by Alexa Martin-Storey, Canada Research Chair on Stigma and Psychosocial Development: Université de Sherbrooke, on romantic relationships and LGBTQ youth.
Preventing Teen Dating Violence: How Educators Can Make a Difference
- This is a document with direction for educators about how they can support those in need of healthy relationship solutions.
Healthy Relationship Series for Educators: How to Promote Healthy Relationships in the Classroom
- A tip sheet for healthy student-teacher relationships, with guidance on how to promote healthy relationships in the classroom.
Cyber Dating Violence: What it Looks Like and How We Can Support Youth
- This tip sheet was created from a webinar by Dr. Brett Holfeld, Assistant Professor in the Psychology Program at Grenfell Campus, Memorial University of Newfoundland. It provides some background on Cyber Dating Violence (CDV), such as what it is, what it looks like, how common it is, and the impact of these experiences. It also discussed some strategies that parents and educators can use to prevent and reduce cyber dating violence among youth.
Healthy Relationships Series for Educators: Understanding and Preventing Dating Violence
- This document provides an overview of what teen dating violence is, how we can prevent it, and what educators specifically can do.
Teachers: Responding to Disclosures of Teen Dating Violence
- This is a tip sheet developed from a webinar presented by Dr. Joanne Cummings. It discusses the role of teachers, guidance counsellors, and other mental health-focused staff when it comes to responding to disclosures of teen dating violence (TDV), in the context of school policy and provincial/territorial legislation.
Romantic Relationships and LGBTQ Youth: Tips and Strategies for Parents and Educators
- A tipsheet to help parents and teachers understand and acknowledge romantic relationships amongst 2SLGBTQIA+ youth
Building Healthy Relationships Online Resource
- A resource with common things for youth to keep in mind and reflect on when it comes to assessing the health of their relationship.
Zines
- This toolkit was designed as a Zine by PREVNet’s National Youth Advisory Council. This by youth, for youth zine is meant to be a helpful tool to learn more about consent.
- A zine that discusses how important it is to know your self-worth in the context of unhealthy relationships, violence prevention, and maintaining safety
Posters
- A poster targeted at youth describing strategies for reaching out for help when dealing with teen dating violence and victimization
8 Warning Signs of Unhealthy Relationships
- A poster depicting 8 warning signs of a relationship that is unhealthy
Building Healthy Relationships Poster
- A poster depicting tips and strategies for fostering healthy dating relationships.
Videos
Educator Video 1 – Biases and Dating Violence
- This is an animated video created so that educators an understand what bias is, how it impacts dating violence, and what educators can do to help prevent dating violence.
Educator Video 2 – Pyramid of Violence, Peer Dynamics and TDV
- This is an animated video created so that educators an understand what the pyramid of violence is, and how peer dynamics impact teen dating violence.
Educator Video 3 – Competency Buckets
- This is an animated videos so that educators can understand various ways to prevent teen dating violence in their classrooms.
I’m Just Not Feeling It Right Now
- An animated video that discusses navigating disagreements and maintaining healthy dynamics in youth dating relationships
- An animated video that goes over consent and setting boundaries in youth dating relationships
Podcasts
Local Resources
9-8-8 Suicide Crisis Helpline
A safe space to talk, 24 hours a day, every day of the year. If you are feeling like you have lost hope and are struggling to cope, if you are dealing with thoughts of suicide, or if you are worried about someone else, 9-8-8 is here for you. When you reach out, a trained responder will listen without judgement, provide support and understanding, and can tell you about resources that will help.
If you are in crisis, call or text 9-8-8 to get help. If your safety is at risk, call 9-1-1 right away.
Algoma Community Legal Clinic
Queenscentre Building
477 Queen Street East, Suite 301
Sault Ste. Marie, ON P6A 1Z5
Phone: 705-942-4900
Toll Free: 1-800-616-1109
Fax: 705-942-6894
Email: legalclinic@algo.clcj.ca
The Algoma Community Legal Clinic is a law office in Sault Ste. Marie, ON funded by Legal Aid Ontario. It is staffed by lawyers, community legal workers and support staff, who provide free legal advice and representation to eligible clients in certain areas of law of the Sault Ste. Marie and surrounding Algoma District.
They can help with:
- Canada Pension Plan
- Employment Insurance
- Employment Law Project
- Health and Disability
- Housing Law
- Human Rights
- ID Bank
- Old Age Security
- Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP)
- Ontario Works (OW)
- Sexual Harassment in the Workplace
Algoma Family Services
Algoma Family Services is a provider of specialized services for infants, children, youth, adults and families in Sault Ste. Marie and the Algoma District, including:
- Infant, Child & Youth Services
- Algoma Family Services provides a range of evidence-based, mental health and addiction services that are client focused, strength-based, and solution focused. Our services are available in our office, virtually, at home, or at school.
- Community Support Team - Youth Justice
- Counselling & Therapy
- Crisis Follow Upp
- Intensive Treatment Services
- Live In Treatment
- Mental Health and Addictions
- Quick Access Services
- Resources & Integration for Survivor Empowerment
- Specialized Consultation and Assessment
- Tele-Mental Health
- Algoma Family Services provides a range of evidence-based, mental health and addiction services that are client focused, strength-based, and solution focused. Our services are available in our office, virtually, at home, or at school.
- Community Services
- Algoma Family Services is committed to the development of strong supportive communities that enhance the lives of those in the Algoma District.
- Canadian Prenatal Nutrition Program
- Community Action Program for Children
- New Northern Mentality Youth Group
- Rebound North
- Student Nutrition Program
- Triple P Positive Parenting Program
- Youth & Family Engagement
- Youth Wellness Hub - Algoma Region
- Algoma Family Services is committed to the development of strong supportive communities that enhance the lives of those in the Algoma District.
- Youth & Adult Services
- Adult Counselling Services offers a variety of professional counselling services to adults and their families.
- Employee Assistance Program
- Drug and Alcohol Counselling (Ages 14-25)
- Violence Against Women
- Male Survivors of Sexual Abuse
- Creating Connections
- Partner Assault Response
- Supervised Access Program
- Ontario Structured Psychotherapy Program
- Adult Counselling Services offers a variety of professional counselling services to adults and their families.
Canadian Mental Health Association Algoma
Canadian Mental Health Association, Algoma
386 Queen St. E., Sault Ste. Marie, ON P6A 1Z1
- Phone: 705-759-0458
- Fax: 705-945-0261
- E-mail: information@cmhassm.com
- Hours: Monday to Friday 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
The Canadian Mental Health Association provides recovery-focused programs and services for people of all ages and their families. Follow the links below for details.
- Central Access and Information
- The Central Access and Information service is a welcoming environment that is accessible by telephone or by walk-in, where people are assisted with information on what mental health and addictions services are available across the district as well as helping link them to the appropriate level of service.
- Counselling
- This service provides client-centered counselling to address the specific issues and concerns of the client. Counsellors will assist with conducting assessments of needs and working with clients to develop solutions to their concerns. Counselling services can be provided to adults ages 16 and over on an individual, couple, family or group basis.
- Court Support and Diversion
- The program offers support to people with mental illness/addictions/intellectual disabilities who are in conflict with the law. It is recovery orientated and follows the principles of psycho-social rehabilitation. Court Support General information is provided to the court regarding mental illness, services, and community resources.
- Dual Diagnosis
- The Dual Diagnosis Program is part of the Regional Specialized Mental Health Program of the North Bay Regional Health Centre. The clinical team strives to optimize the quality of life of adults diagnosed with a developmental disability and serious mental illness by providing a psychiatric consultation and ongoing treatment.
- Hope House – Club 84
- Hope House – Club 84 is a psycho-social rehabilitation program that operates using the clubhouse model. A clubhouse is a center of hope and opportunity for people with a serious mental illness.
- Housing Support
- The Canadian Mental Health Association provides a variety of resources and community outreach for individuals that require support in securing and maintaining safe and stable housing.
- Human Services & Justice Coordinating Committee
- This local committee, hosted by the agency, is comprised of agency, funder and community representatives that work together to plan for a system that better meets the needs of people who come into contact with the human service and justice systems.
- Mental Health and Justice Supportive Housing
- The mental health and justice supportive housing program provides support to persons being released from correctional facilities, whether on remand or detained, and people who are on mental health court diversion plans. The main goal of this program is to reduce pressures on the criminal justice system and help those in need.
- Peer Support Navigator (Sault Area Hospital Emergency Department)
- Peer Support Navigator The Peer Support Navigator (PSN) is a trained peer support specialist having acquired experience in mental health and addiction services. The PSN will provide information, support and assistance to individuals as they enter and leave the hospital setting.
- Peer Supports
- CMHA Algoma recognizes how invaluable lived experience is in supporting and inspiring individuals who are on their journeys of wellness and recovery. Peer Support is a powerful opportunity for a person – a Peer – living with mental health and/or substance use struggles to connect with another person – a Peer Worker.
- Walk-In Counselling Service
- The single session walk in counselling service provides brief counselling services for children, youth, adults, couples and families. There is no need to make an appointment as we work on a first come first served basis. Location: CMHA Sault Ste. Marie Branch 386 Queen Street East Date/Time: Tuesday’s (closed on Statutory Holidays).
- Youth Mental Health Court Program
- This program provides services and supports for children and youth age 12 – 17 who are in conflict with the law and present with mental illness or disorder. These services include pre-charge diversion, court support, transitional case management, and release from custody services.
Child Care Algoma
Child Care Algoma offers a large variety of programs designed to enhance children's learning through high quality child care, early year's programs and parent and professional supports in the City of Sault Ste. Marie, Central Algoma and the North Shore.
Click here for a list of parenting programs and workshops that are designed to encourage, empower, and offer support to parents and caregivers while they are learning new skills that will encourage life-long learning, enhance parent-child relationships, and foster a family atmosphere of love and respect.
Children's Aid Society of Algoma
If you have a concern about a child at risk, Children's Aid Society of Algoma is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Hours
- Monday to Friday
- 8:30am to 4:30pm
Sault Ste. Marie - Head Office
We partner with parents, caregivers and community to provide a safe environment for children and youth, through equitable, culturally aligned services.
Food Banks
| These services are located in Algoma | ||
| Garden River First Nation - Miijim Gaamig Food Bank 7 Shingwauk St, Garden River, ON P6A 6Z8 |
705-946-6300 | |
| Salvation Army - Food Bank - Sault Ste Marie 78 Elgin St, Sault Ste Marie, ON P6A 2Y5 |
705-759-4143 | |
| Soup Kitchen Community Centre - Sault Ste Marie 172 James St, Sault Ste Marie, ON P6A 1W3 |
705-942-2694 | |
| Soup Kitchen Community Centre - Sault Ste Marie - The Good Food Box 172 James St, Sault Ste Marie, ON P6A 1W3 |
705-942-2694 | |
| St Vincent Place - Sault Ste Marie - Food Bank and Soup Kitchen 222 Albert St E, Sault Ste Marie, ON P6A 2J2 |
705-253-2770 ext 206 | |
Gender-Based Violence Shelters
Batchewana First Nation - Nimkii-Naabkawagan Family Crisis Shelter
236 Frontenac St, Batchewana First Nation, ON P6A 6Z1
705-941-9054
Phoenix Rising Non-Profit Homes And Women's Centre
596 Wellington St E, Sault Ste Marie, ON P6A 2M5
705-759-5864
Phoenix Rising Non-Profit Homes And Women's Centre - Phoenix Rising
2 Manitou Dr, Sault Ste Marie, ON P6B 6G5
705-945-5137
Women In Crisis (Algoma) - Sault Ste Marie
23 Oakland Ave, Sault Ste Marie, ON P6A 2T2
705-759-1230
Legal Aid Ontario
Legal Aid Ontario (LAO) provides legal help in English and French for financially eligible low‑income Ontarians. It provides high-quality legal services in:
- Criminal legal issues
- Domestic violence
- Family legal issues
- Mental health legal issues
- Refugee and immigration legal issues
- Legal clinics
Services include:
- a toll-free telephone line that offers 20 minutes of free legal advice for family law matters
- same‑day courthouse services including duty counsel (lawyers), paralegals, and court workers
- staff lawyers who represent clients
- representation by a private lawyer through our certificate program
- web-based information and referrals
Need legal help?
Call us toll free at 1‑800‑668‑8258 Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (EST) for help in over 300 languages.
Nogdawindamin Family and Community Services
210 B Gran Street
Batchewana First Nation, ON
P6A 0C4
Toll Free: 1 (800) 465 0999
Website: https://www.nog.ca/
Services
- Youth Prevention Services
- Mino Madzwin, Education Liaison, Housing Support and Youth in Transition programs
- Neonatal Services
- If you are pregnant and expecting or with a child, we can provide you with support, referrals and resources
- Jordan's Principle
- Jordan's Principle is a Federal fund that ensures all First Nations children have equal access to products and services.
- Family Well-Being
- Life skills, Stress. Resources, Parenting, Supplies and Intervention
- Family Treatment Program
- The Family Treatment Program wishes to promote and support a culturally grounded model of care that mindfully addresses the root causes of substance abuse in our communities.
- Cultural Services
- Debriefing, support, teachings and referrals
- Children's Mental Health
- Trauma, anxiety, depression, coping, intake and counselling
- Child Protection Services
- Working with families and communities to keep children safe. Contact us if you have child safety concerns
- Behavioural Therapy Model Program
- Service is offered to clients in their communities, schools, and homes. Children and youth may require support in the areas of adaptive skills, school readiness skills, communication skills, decreasing maladaptive behaviour, sleep hygiene, coping/anxiety, social skills, and play skills. Treatment plans are individualized, flexible, family-driven, and designed around
- Alternative Care - Genawenman Binojiuk
- The goal of Alternative Care is to work with the Nogdawindamin team to help the child and family reunite.
- Adult Mental Health
- Mental Health and Addiction Counselling, Individual and Group Therapies, Cultural Services, Access to Psychiatric Services, Assessment and Referral Services, Traditional Medicines and Ceremonies, Walk-in Clinic / Brief Solution-Focused Services, Addictions Treatment – harm reduction
Sault Area Hospital Crisis Services
Support for individuals in crisis, using a safe, trauma-informed, inclusive, and culturally sensitive approach.
Phone: 705-759-3398; (toll-free) 1-800-721-0077
Website: https://sah.on.ca/programs-services/mental-health-addictions/crisis-services/
Sault Ste. Marie Public Library
Visit the Centennial Library to view the Parenting Collection, located in the Children’s Area. This is a dedicated collection of resources for parents to support each stage of their child’s development.
Their website also has a long list of online resources to aid parents in a variety of areas including pregnancy, preschoolers, bullying, and child care.
Click here to visit the SSMPL website.
Triple P Algoma (Parenting Program)
Contact Us
- Phone: 705.759.1131 ext.4 | 1.855.759.1131
- Email: triplepalgoma@gmail.com
- Website: https://www.triplepalgoma.ca/home
Triple P is a parenting program, but it doesn’t tell you how to be a parent. It’s more like a toolbox of ideas. You choose the strategies you need. You choose the way you want to use them. It’s all about making Triple P work for you.
Triple P is for anyone caring for a child. This can include parents, step-parents, foster parents, grandparents and professionals working with children.
With simple and practical strategies, parents develop strong and healthy relationships with their child. They learn to confidently manage their child's behaviours and to spot, solve and prevent conflicts. The support available is adapted for parents of children 0-12, parents of teenagers, parents of children 0-12 with special needs, and co-parents.
Programs are offered one on one, online, in seminars, and in groups.
Victim Services
Victim Services of Algoma - Sault Ste Marie
580 Second Line E., Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario
Main Office: 705-945-6905
Toll Free: 1-888-822-7792
Fax: 705-945-6864
email: jasmine@victimservicesalgoma.ca
Office Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Victim Services of Algoma supports individuals affected by crime and tragic circumstances that is victim centered and culturally competent. Services offered include:
- 24/7 on-scene crisis intervention
- Addressing immediate safety concerns
- Community support sessions
- Needs assessment
- Development of a personalized referral form or service plan
- Safety planning
- Provision of information
- Referrals to counselling and relevant community and government support service
- Enhanced support
- Follow up
Which services each individual receives will depend on their individual needs. Victim Services of Algoma will respect the right of every client to make his/her own decisions.
Victim/Witness Assistance Program
To find the office nearest you, you can call the Victim Support Line at 416-314-2447 (Toll-free: 1-888-579-2888) or the visit the Victim Services Directory.
The Victim/Witness Assistance Program is a court-based program that provides information, help and support to victims and witnesses of crime so they can understand and participate in the criminal court process. A victim/witness service worker will talk with you and assist you based on your specific case and needs.
The Victim/Witness Assistance Program can:
- provide you with information about your case, victims’ rights and the criminal court process
- provide you with information about courtroom procedures and your role in court
- help you understand what to expect at each court date and help prepare you for your appearance in court
- provide you with key court updates
- provide you with copies of court orders, such as bail conditions and probation orders
- coordinate with the Crown attorney to provide your input, concerns and needs as they relate to the criminal court case
- connect you with the police to discuss your safety concerns and any other information you wish to provide about the crime
- offer emotional support throughout the court process
- refer you to community agencies, including Indigenous and other culturally specific agencies, for additional services and supports you may need, such as counselling and safety planning
- arrange for language interpreters and help ensure accommodations for any disabilities are met throughout your involvement with the program and while at court
- assess eligibility for support through the Vulnerable Victims and Family Fund that will assist you to participate in the court process
- help you understand and complete a Victim Impact Statement and a Statement on Restitution
The services start once police have laid charges and will continue until the court case is over. Services are free and your participation with the program is voluntary.
Youth Resources
To explore the resources we have compiled for children/youth, please visit our Kids page or our Tweens & Teens page.