Risk Intervention and Prevention Project (RIPP) and Intervention Initiative (YRPII)

Program Description

The Risk Intervention & Prevention Project (RIPP) and the Youth Risk Prevention and Intervention Initiative (YRPII) are mobile, community-based outreach services, providing services to high-acuity, high-risk youth that demonstrate a variety of risk factors including those who are in conflict with the law, have been sentenced and are at risk of reoffending, or are at a higher risk of criminal/violent behaviour. RIPP’s highly trained mobile social workers support those who are at the highest levels of risk for violence, gang involvement, criminal activity, and systemic marginalization. YRPII builds on the foundation of the Risk Intervention & Prevention Project (RIPP), expanding its reach to younger and older youth and broader geographic regions.

Key Services Offered

Mobile outreach and on-the-ground support
Individualized supportive counselling, Intensive case coordination and wraparound support
Immediate crisis intervention and risk management
Harm reduction and conflict mediation strategies
Referrals to culturally appropriate, trauma-informed services
Support navigating justice, education, and health systems
Proactive safety planning and disengagement from gang/peer violence
Prevention programming such as psychoeducational groups, presentations, and events
Violence prevention, life skills, and prosocial activities
Support for families and caregivers
Warm transfers to specialized services and long-term supports

Target Population

Youth and young adults aged 10–26
Residing in Windsor and Essex County, including rural and remote areas such as Tecumseh, Lakeshore, Amherstburg, Kingsville, Leamington, LaSalle, and Essex.
Experiencing high levels of risk, including gang involvement, violence, school disengagement, mental health or addictions challenges, homelessness, or involvement in the justice system
Racialized, Indigenous, LGBTQIA2S+, and newcomer youth disproportionately impacted by systemic inequities

Referral Pathways

Open referral model (youth, family, school, police, probation, community agencies)
Internal referrals within New Beginnings' programs
Youth and caregiver self-referral
Participation is youth-driven, consent-based, and confidential
YRPII workers also proactively identify youth in need through embedded work in schools, courts, community settings, and local hotspots

Program Goals/Outcomes

Prevent and reduce gun and gang violence among high-risk youth
Disrupt cycles of violence, victimization, and justice involvement
Improve youth stability through access to housing, health, education, and community resources
Promote safety, belonging, and engagement in pro-social alternatives
Strengthen local systems of care and inter-agency collaboration
Promote community safety through individualized prevention and intervention
Build protective factors through connection to recreation, education, employment, housing, and clinical support

Contact Information

Christian Morneau

Co-Ordinator of Clinical Programs

519-971-0973 ext. 127

Cmorneau@newbe.ca

You can also contact Hayley Wilson - Youth Risk Prevention and Intervention Initiative coordinator: hwilson@newbe.ca

Referral Form