OMERS employer opens live-in youth mental health program
August 24, 2026
OMERS employer Rainbow District School Board has recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Compass to deliver the educational component for Step Up, Step Down (SUSD), a new live-in treatment program in Sudbury for youth aged 12 to 17. Compass is the lead agency for child and youth mental health services in Sudbury and Manitoulin.
SUSD is based on Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), an evidence-based psychotherapy that combines cognitive-behavioural techniques with mindfulness, distress tolerance, acceptance, interpersonal skills and emotional regulation. It is the region’s first fully funded live-in mental health treatment program, offering a space for youth experiencing serious mental health concerns. Offered in English and French, the program will equip youth with practical tools and skills to support successful transition into their communities.
“The launch of this program is a landmark moment for youth mental health care in Northern Ontario,” said Mark Fraser, Chief Executive Officer, Compass. “We are bringing DBT-based clinical care directly to those who need it most and closer to their home communities.”
Opening in September 2026, SUSD is set to operate out of the former Cyril Varney Public School in New Sudbury, renovated to accommodate the program. which was acquired and renovated by Compass to accommodate the program. Youth will attend school on site during their stay, to ensure that they remain academically on track. They can live in the facility for up to six months, supported by both Rainbow District School Board educators and Compass clinical staff.
“Our partnership with Rainbow District School Board allows us to seamlessly blend intensive therapeutic support with daily learning to create a holistic environment where youth can heal and learn simultaneously,” said Fraser.
Bruce Bourget, Chief Executive Officer with Rainbow District School Board, added: “By working alongside Compass for Step Up, Step Down, we are creating a supportive environment where students can continue their education while receiving the care they need.”
When vulnerable youth receive appropriate mental health support, they are given the opportunity to grow to their fullest potential. “This partnership reflects our shared commitment to ensuring every student has the opportunity to learn, grow and reach their full potential as confident, caring members of society,” said Bourget.
Stories we think you'll like
Why Canada’s World Cup team and Ontario caregivers are training on the same system
3 min read
Has the family been priced out of big cities?
2 min read