Young people across Algoma will soon be part of a community-wide prevention program designed to improve health outcomes for youth. Algoma Public Health (APH) and local partners have officially launched Planet Youth Algoma, a five-year project based on the internationally recognized Icelandic Prevention Model.  

Planet Youth is a community-based approach that focuses on the environments where young people live, learn and grow. Rather than placing responsibility on youth alone, the model brings families, schools, municipalities, community organizations, and other youth-serving partners together to create conditions that help young people thrive. 

Over the coming months, Planet Youth Algoma will focus on building community awareness, collecting and analyzing local data, and developing action plans tailored to the strengths and needs of communities across the Algoma district. Grade 10 students will be invited to participate in surveys that help identify local risk and protective factors related to youth wellbeing and substance use.  

The information gathered through Planet Youth Algoma will help communities better understand the experiences of local youth and guide evidence-informed action in areas such as recreation, family and peer connection, school engagement and community supports. 

By working together, communities across Algoma can use local data and youth voice to create supportive environments where young people are connected, supported and able to thrive. 

The signing of the Planet Youth contract formalizes Algoma’s participation in the Planet Youth Guidance Program and marks a major milestone for an Algoma-wide coalition working together to improve youth health and wellbeing. 

Additional information is available on the Algoma Public Health and Planet Youth websites.   

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Supporting our youth means looking at the environments where young people live, learn and grow. Planet Youth Algoma empowers our communities with local data and a shared approach to strengthen protective factors, foster community belonging, resilience, and wellbeing, and prevent substance-related harms in our future generation. 

Dr. Jennifer Loo, Medical Officer of Health/CEO 
Algoma Public Health 

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At Huron-Superior Catholic District School Board, we know that supporting student success means supporting the whole child. Planet Youth Algoma is an opportunity to work alongside families, schools, health partners, and the broader community to create environments where young people can thrive.  By using local data to better understand the unique strengths and challenges within our communities, we can make informed decisions that promote positive mental health, strengthen protective factors, and help prevent substance use before it begins. This collaborative, long-term approach reflects our shared commitment to ensuring every student has the opportunity to grow, learn, and build a healthy future. 

Fil Lettieri, Chief Executive Officer  
Huron Superior Catholic District School Board 

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The Algoma District School Board is pleased to be a collaborator in bringing Planet Youth to our communities and our youth. Like the African proverb that reminds us it takes “a whole village” to support a child, Planet Youth is driven by “whole communities” through partnerships, shared responsibility and engagement of community members to improve environments and outcomes for youth.  We are excited to be part of this project and look forward to working together to support our youth in reducing substance use and in improving their overall well-being. 

Lucia Reece, Chief Executive Officer 
Algoma District School Board 

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At Conseil scolaire du Grand Nord, we are proud to bring our voice and our dedication to this collective effort, ensuring that no young person walks their journey alone. Preparing our students for the future means protecting and nurturing their well-being today. That is why Conseil scolaire du Grand Nord is fully invested in the Planet Youth initiative across the Algoma region. Together with our local partners and families, we are dedicated to building a protective network that surrounds our youth to allow them to thrive both inside and outside the classroom. 

Carl Dussault, Director of Education 
Conseil scolaire du Grand Nord 

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The Conseil scolaire catholique Nouvelon is proud to join community partners across Algoma in a shared commitment to supporting the well-being and long-term success of youth. We believe that every young person deserves to feel valued, connected, and supported by a strong network of caring adults both in and beyond the classroom. Through our partnership with Planet Youth Algoma, we are helping to create healthy, inclusive, and vibrant communities where they can thrive. By working together with families, schools, community organizations, and health partners, we can empower young people to make positive choices, realize their full potential, and contribute to a brighter future. 

Tom Michaud, Director of Education
Conseil scolaire catholique Nouvelon 

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Planet Youth Algoma Coalition & Funding Partners 

Algoma Public Health gratefully acknowledges the financial support and commitment of funding partners who have made the implementation of Planet Youth Algoma possible. Their investment, alongside the efforts of our growing coalition and dedicated community partners, is strengthening a shared commitment to prevention and youth wellbeing helping create healthier communities and brighter futures for children, youth, and families across the Algoma district.  

*Funding partners highlighted in bold text. 

Media Contact: 

Algoma Public Health  
Communications Department  
communications@algomapublichealth.com