The Youth We Serve
Orca Lelum is a year-round service dedicated to supporting Indigenous youth aged 12 to 18 on their path to wellness. Offering co-ed programs inclusive of 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals,
Admission to Orca Lelum’s withdrawal support and wellness programs is on a voluntary basis, reflecting our commitment to respecting the autonomy and agency of the youth seeking support. By choosing to enter the program voluntarily, youth demonstrate a willingness to engage in their own healing journey, which is essential for positive outcomes.
See Inclusion and Exclusion Criteria Below
Contact Intake Team
To connect with our Intake Team, please send an email to [email protected] and include the following: your name, phone number, and let us know if you're referring yourself or on behalf of someone else.
Referral Form | Please email form to [email protected]
See below for referral form download. Please complete the referral form PDF and email it to [email protected]
Referrals to our program can be completed by the youth themselves, or by a referring agent in collaboration with the youth.
Inclusion Criteria
- Indigenous youth aged 12-18
- Withdrawal support program will prioritize admissions based on the severity of substance use challenges, safety concerns, and readiness for a path toward wellness programming.
- Wellness program admissions will prioritize referrals from the withdrawal support program, followed by community partners, to ensure continuity of care and support.
- Semi-Independence: youth should be capable of managing basic daily tasks and responsibilities to some degree without constant supervision. They should be able to engage in activities of daily living with minimal assistance and demonstrate a reasonable level of self-care and decision-making skills.
- Accessibility and accommodations: Orca Lelum provides two designated wheelchair-accessible rooms and can accommodate individuals with disabilities.
- A completed pre-admission medical assessment by referring doctor or nurse practitioner
- Accepting youth with criminal convictions, outstanding warrants, or involvement with the criminal justice system, particularly those who are mandated under court/legal order, is a decision that will be made based on our resources, and capacity to provide appropriate care and support, and to ensure the safety of all participants and team members.
- Youth must be willing to attend all aspects of programming, including ceremony and cultural activities.
Exclusion Criteria
- Medical Conditions: Individuals with co-occurring life threatening medical conditions that could complicate the substance withdrawal process, requiring specialized medical attention that would be better suited to a hospital environment, may be excluded. For example, severe heart conditions, uncontrolled diabetes, or an acutely low BMI. Additionally, those that have a communicable disease that could cause a risk to other participants.
- Severe Psychiatric Disorders: Individuals with severe psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia, severe bipolar disorder, or acute psychosis may require specialized psychiatric care that goes beyond the scope of the withdrawal support and wellness programs. They may be excluded if a higher level of care is required to ensure their and others safety.
- Violent or Aggressive Behavior: Individuals who exhibit violent or aggressive behavior may pose a risk to themselves or others in a medical withdrawal support or wellness program setting. Such behavior might be considered grounds for exclusion unless the program has the capacity to safely manage and address these behaviors.
- Inability to Live in a Shared Living Environment: Orca Lelum provides double occupancy accommodations for withdrawal support and wellness programs. Youth must be able to tolerate a shared living environment.
- Unwillingness to Participate: If an individual is not willing to actively engage in the program or adhere to its rules and guidelines, they may be excluded. Motivation and commitment to the process are important for successful outcomes.
- Lack of Parental or Guardian Consent: For youth under the age of majority, they can refer themselves, unless the intake team feels they do not have the capacity for informed consent (lack of capacity for insight into what they are committing to and the vulnerabilities). If the youth is in care, we require consent from the guardian as well as the youth.
- Sex Related Legal Charges/Convictions: To ensure safety of all youth and staff, applicants with sex related legal charges will require further screening.
- Arson: To ensure safety of all youth and staff, applicants with a history of arson will require further screening.