Dan Hagler founded the first Youthdale Treatment Centre in 1969 - a single treatment home in Toronto that housed six children. Mr. Hagler is now executive director of Youthdale, which has growm to include a state-of-the-art facility, sleep clinic and outpatient services, as well as mulitple treatment residences and a summer camp.
Over four decades, Youthdale has become a network of the most comprehensive psychiatric treatment services for youth aged six to 18 in Canada. A non-profit, charitable agency, Mr. Hagler's vision and Youthdale's innovation is "continuum treatment," integrating mental health services, education, family therapy and research programs into the traditional treatment model of residency programs.
This unique and effective approach to community medicine has won Youthdale accolades across the country and abroad, including the prestigious Gold Award of the American Psychiatric Association.
Youthdale helps 5,000 children and their families with mental health issues each year.
Nominator: Mike Feldman