Mission, Vision & Values
Lynwood Charlton Centre was designated by the Ministry of Child and Youth Services (MCYS) as the child and youth mental health Lead Agency for Hamilton in August 2014. With programs and services that run out of 5 sites, LCC is committed to providing inclusive, client-centered and family-centered care. LCC was originally founded in 1863 as orphanages, operating home for children in the downtown core of Hamilton.
With over 40 years of service in Hamilton, we are dedicated to building strong people, strong families and strong communities. Between 1960 and the early 2000’s, During the subsequent decades, the Centre – now named Lynwood Child & Family Centre – acquired and operated a variety of programs. It expanded its service capacity to provide intensive out of home and at home programs, including community and school-based services, to a wider range of clients, including adolescents and children with a dual diagnosis. In 2011, the Centre merged with Charlton Child and Family Centre to further expand its service range and became known as Lynwood Charlton Centre.
Mission
To guide and support children, youth and their families and caregivers in strengthening their capacity to thrive, and to collaboratively plan and deliver a sustainable system of child and youth mental health services in tandem with community partners.
Vision
Hamilton’s children, youth and families feel supported throughout their journey towards mental well-being.
Values
Strength, Collaboration, Innovation, Efficacy, Accountability, Responsiveness.
Our Mission is twofold:
- To guide and support children, youth and their families and caregivers in strengthening their capacity to thrive, and;
- To collaboratively plan and deliver a sustainable system of child and youth mental health services in tandem with community partners.
Values Statements:
Personal Strength: The Centre recognizes that every child, youth, and family member, staff member and Board member have unique strength. The Centre values their contributions.
Service Strength: Service is driven by children, youth and families and accompanied by evidence-informed practices that are subject to a process of continuous quality improvement. The Centre’s services are innovative, respond to the unique needs of the community and complement Hamilton’s spectrum of mental health services for children and youth.
Organizational Strength: The Centre promotes personal and organizational wellness and values the unique contribution and full participation of a diverse workforce. The Centre fosters a work environment that encourages personal and professional efficacy and work-life balance. Board and staff are accountable for acting responsibly and strategically in assessing decisions which affect the stability and future of the organization.
System Strength: The Centre is connected to, and works collaboratively with, a larger spectrum of services designed to support the healthy development of children, youth and their families. Internally, services to children, youth and families are responsive to their voices and integrated at all levels of service delivery.
Leading The Way
As the Ministry of Children, Community, and Social Services (MCCSS) appointed Lead Agency for the child and youth mental health sector in Hamilton, we are proud to collaborate with our partners to strengthen the community-based system for delivering mental health services.
Moving on Mental Health
MCSS envisions an Ontario in which child and youth mental health is recognized as a key determinant of overall health and well-being, and where children and youth grow to reach their full potential.
This framework calls for all government and community partners to work together to achieve the following goals:
- A child and youth mental health sector that is coordinated, collaborative and integrated at all community and government levels, creating a culture of shared responsibility.
- Children, youth and their families/caregivers have access to a flexible continuum of timely and appropriate services and supports within their own cultural, environmental and community context.
- Optimal mental health and well-being of children and youth is promoted through an enhanced understanding of, and ability to respond to, child and youth mental health needs through the provision of effective services and supports.
- A child and youth mental health sector that is accountable and well-managed.
- In collaboration with the local service system and the MCCSS Regional Office, establish a plan for the delivery of CYMH services to be submitted to MCCSS for review and approval;
- Creating clear and simple-to-use access pathways for parents and youth, as well as justice, education, and health professionals who wish to refer;
- Delivering or contracting for the range of defined core MCCSS funded CYMH services, and holding subcontracted agencies accountable;
- Making those services effective and accountable to parents, youth, and children;
- Establishing and maintaining interagency and inter-sectoral partnerships, protocols and transparent pathways to care.