A long-awaited contract for providing youth treatment services has been finalized by the GNWT as Halifax-based SHIFT was selected to operate Trailcross Youth Treatment Centre in Fort Smith.

The Northwest Territories Health and Social Services Authority announced in a news release Thursday that SHIFT, formerly known as Atlantic Youth,  provides "human services and experiential learning" in youth care facilities in Nunavut and experienced providing therapy in Northern and Aboriginal communities.

Programming centers around helping youth recover from social, emotional and behavioural issues.

The three-year, $1.43 million annual contract began Nov. 1, but the facility is expected to be fully operational in the first week of January, the release states. Until then, the Trailcross location is to be upgraded and prepared for service by SHIFT.
Trailcross is the only youth residential youth treatment facility in the NWT and can serve up to eight youth at a time.
Woods Homes, based out of Calgary, was the former contracted operator of the treatment centre.
"Trailcross provides an important service for NWT youth and securing an operator for this facility was a high priority for the NTHSSA," said Sue Cullen, CEO of the health and services authority in the release. "We look forward to working with SHIFT and partnering to provide quality care, services and programming to youth from across NWT."