The Foundations of the Lotus Program
Based on solid theoretical foundations, Lotus is the only program in Québec to combine the Risk-Need-Responsivity model and the trauma-informed approach to delinquency intervention with young offenders.
The Lotus Program’s tools offer in-depth reflection on the needs of young people under the YCJA in relation to reoffending prevention, while placing caring, predictability and appeasement at the heart of its practices.
Objectives of the Lotus Program
The Lotus Program aims to support clinical practice associated with reducing the risk of reoffending among young offenders under the YCJA.
Its main objective is to develop and consolidate the knowledge and skills of youth workers in relation to the Risk-Need-Responsivity model and the principles of trauma-informed practice.
Boscoville’s support helps the CISSS or CIUSSS develop individual service delivery based on these theoretical foundations.
Responding to Challenges in Clinical Delinquency Practice
The Lotus Program was developed according to best practices in program evaluation and development. To this end, the first step was to assess the needs of internal and external services of CISSS and CIUSSS with a mandate under the YCJA.
In all, eleven of Québec’s sixteen CISSS and CIUSSS participated in the evaluation. This process enabled us to take stock of the situation and put forward proposals in relation to the various needs and challenges affecting clinical practices.
These proposals guided the development choices in relation to the program’s main components. The challenges for which the Lotus Program proposes solutions are numerous. These include:
- Transposing the results of the YLS-CMI 2.0 actuarial reoffending risk evaluation tool to the intervention
- The structure of one-on-one meetings
- The use of concrete intervention tools and techniques based on evidence-based approaches
- Increased complexity of youth problems
- Supervision, training and clinical support for youth workers
- Collaboration and harmonization of internal and external YCJA services
What You Get with The Lotus Program
Take the Next Steps
Would you like more information or to find out more about the Lotus Program?
The Lotus Program Across Québec
77 Trained Social Care Professionals
6 Authorized Environments
Get the Latest from Lotus
Further Information
Lotus Program Research Report
Discover the Portrait and Reflections on Practices Related to Reducing the Risk of Reoffending Report
Portrait and Reflections on Practices Related to Reducing the Risk of Reoffending
Discover Our Complete Report on Practices Related to Reducing the Risk of Reoffending
Concise Reports on Practices Related to Reducing the Risk of Reoffending
Access our exclusive concise reports on the Most Effective Methods for Reducing the Risk of Reoffending
Trauma-Informed Practices in YCJA Services
Discover our recent contribution to the YCJA blog, where we published an article on trauma-informed practices in YCJA services
Trauma-Informed Approaches
Caring at the Heart of Interventions with Young Offenders
Young offenders are often dealing with adversity during their childhood and adolescence. Awareness of this phenomenon has led to the development of a new type of approach for working with them: the trauma-informed approach. But what does this new approach involve, and how is it adapted to young people considered as delinquent?
Researchers and Consultants
Geneviève Parent, Ph. D.
Professor, Department of Psychoeducation and Psychology, Université du Québec en Outaouais (UQO).
Denis Lafortune, Ph. D.
Full Professor, School of Criminology, Université de Montréal.
Catherine Laurier, Ph. D.
Associate Professor, Department of Psychoeducation, Université de Sherbrooke.
In Collaboration With
