The CIUSSS de l'Estrie - CHUS and a number of community groups, including the Centre de services du Val-des-Cerfs, the Maison des familles de Granby et région, and the Centre de pédiatrie sociale de la Haute-Yamaska de la Haute-Yamaska have come together to support vulnerable families in the Haute-Yamaska region through an initiative called “Agir Ensemble.”

CIDI journalist Taylor McClure had the opportunity to speak with Geneviève Chabot, director of the youth program department at the CIUSSS de l'Estrie - CHUS, for more details on the Agir Ensemble initiative and future plans to expand it to other Municipal Regional Counties (MRCs) to better meet the needs of vulnerable children and families in the Eastern Townships. 

According to Chabot, the Agir Ensemble initiative was developed to address the growing waiting lists of the Youth Protection Department, particularly in the Haute-Yamaska territory, and to help “ensure the essential security net for our children and families that are in different situations of vulnerability.” 

The goal with Agir Ensemble is to unite the expertise of the CIUSSS de l'Estrie - CHUS and the community partners, which together form a “clinical committee,” to find strategies, solutions, and services that can support these vulnerable families before youth protection authorities are asked to intervene.

To hear more on Agir Ensemble and future plans to expand the initiative to other of the Eastern Townships, listen to the full interview with Chabot below: