86 Recommendations for Change from the Inquest into the Death of Carol Culleton, Anastasia Kuzyk and Nathalie Warmerdam
The Government of Ontario should:
Oversight and Accountability
Formally declare intimate partner violence as an epidemic.
Establish an independent Intimate Partner Violence Commission dedicated to eradicating intimate partner violence (IPV) and acting as a voice that speaks on behalf of survivors and victims’ families, raising public awareness, and ensuring the transparency and accountability of government and other organizations in addressing IPV in all its forms. The Commissioner should have sufficient authority to ensure meaningful access to any person, document or information required to accomplish the Commission’s mandate. The Commission should be provided with adequate and stable funding to ensure effectiveness.
Engage in meaningful consultation with IPV stakeholders and experts in the field, to determine the mandate and responsibilities of the IPV Commission, which may include: a. Driving change towards the goal of eradicating IPV in Ontario, b. Evaluating the effectiveness of existing IPV programs and strategies, including the adequacy of existing funding, c. Analyzing and reporting on all IPV-related issues with a view to improving awareness of IPV issues and potential solutions, d. Advocating for survivors and their families having regard to addressing the systemic concerns of survivors navigating the legal system. Consideration should be given to the United Kingdom’s Domestic Abuse Commissioner model in developing the mandate of the Commission.
Create the role of a Survivor Advocate to advocate on behalf of survivors regarding their experience in the justice system.
Immediately institute a provincial implementation committee dedicated to ensuring that the recommendations from this Inquest are comprehensively considered, and any responses are fully reported and published. The committee should include senior members of relevant ministries central to IPV and an equal number of community IPV experts. It should be chaired by an independent IPV expert who could speak freely on progress made on implementation.
Amend the Coroners Act to require the recipient of an inquest recommendation to advise the Office of the Chief Coroner if a recommendation is complied with or to provide an explanation if it is not implemented.
System Approaches, Collaboration and Communication
7. Ensure that IPV issues are addressed using an all-of-government approach across ministries, and cooperate and coordinate with federal, provincial, and territorial partners in seeking to end IPV.
8. Require that all justice system participants who work with IPV survivors and perpetrators are trained and engage in a trauma-informed approach to interacting and dealing with survivors and perpetrators.
9. Explore incorporating restorative justice and community-based approaches in dealing with appropriate IPV cases to ensure safety and best outcomes for survivors.
10. Encourage that IPV be integrated into every municipality’s community safety and well-being plan.
11. Study the feasibility of, and implement if feasible, justice sector participants having access to relevant findings made in family and civil law proceedings for use in criminal proceedings, including at bail and sentencing stages. The study would, in part, inquire into the following: a. The process to identify relevant findings and for sharing those findings with other justice participants, b. Which justice participants should have access to the findings made by a civil or family court, c. What documents from civil and family law proceedings should be shared with justice sector participants, and how to facilitate sharing of such documents, d. What permissible uses could be made of the documents and findings in a criminal proceeding, e. Models in other jurisdictions that identify relevant IPV cases in different courts.
12. Ensure that survivors and those assisting survivors have direct and timely communication with probation officers to assist in safety planning.
13. Require all police services to immediately inform the Chief Firearms Officer (CFO) of IPV-related charges after they are laid, and provide any relevant records, including Firearms Interest Police information.
14. Create a “Universal RMS” records management system accessible by all police services (including federal, provincial, municipal, military and First Nations) in Ontario, with appropriate read/write access to all IPV stakeholders, including Probation, CFO, Crown’s offices, Ontario Court of Justice, Superior Court of Justice, correctional institutions and parole boards. Police services that wish to use their own RMS are to update IPV information into the Universal RMS.
15. Require primary actors involved in a major incident to conduct a formal de-brief and write a report identifying lessons learned and recommendations for improvement, if appropriate.
16. Review policies to ensure the timely, reliable, consistent, and accurate dissemination of information, including the use of emergency alerts and media releases, where the police are aware of circumstances that could put the public in danger, and that the focus is on safety when developing policies regarding what information to share with whom and when. Consideration should be given to disseminating information through alternative methods where cellular service is not consistently available.
17. Establish clear guidelines regarding the flagging of perpetrators or potential IPV victims in police databases, immediate dispatch and police access to the identities and contact information of potential targets, and how to notify those targets.
Funding
18. Recognize that the implementation of the recommendations from this Inquest, including the need for adequate and stable funding for all organizations providing IPV support services, will require a significant financial investment and commit to provide such funding.
19. Create an emergency fund, such as the “She C.A.N Fund”, in honour of Carol Culleton, Anastasia Kuzyk and Nathalie Warmerdam to support women living with IPV who are taking steps to seek safety. This fund should include the following: a. Easy, low-barrier access for IPV survivors seeking to improve their safety, b. Referral to the fund through IPV service providers, c. Small grants of up to $7000, d. It should have no impact on Ontario Works or Ontario Disability Support Plan payments, e. Consideration for the needs of rural and geographically remote survivors of IPV, f. Funding to be provided on an annualized basis, with adequacy assessed and considered after the first three years, g. Inject a significant one-time investment into IPV related support services.
20. Realign the approach to public funding provided to IPV service providers with a view to removing unnecessary reporting obligations with a focus on service. Draw on best practices in Canada and internationally, and adopt and implement improved, adequate, stable, and recurring funding that incorporates the following:
a. IPV services are core programming and should receive annualized funding like other public services, b. Service providers provide one annual report for all funders across government to account for the funds received, articulate results and highlight key challenges, learnings, and accomplishments, c. Recognition that, in remote and rural areas, funding cannot be the per-capita equivalent to funding in urban settings as this does not take into account rural realities, including that: i. IPV is more prominent in rural areas, ii. Economies of scale for urban settings supporting larger numbers of survivors, iii. The need to travel to access and provide services where telephone and internet coverage is not available, iv. The lack of public transit, v. The cost of transportation for survivors and service providers. d. Consideration of the remoteness quotient used to calculate funding in other social services, such as education and policing, e. Enhanced funding for IPV service providers, including shelters, sexual assault support centres, victim services, and counselling services, considering urban and rural realities, f. Designated funding for transportation for those receiving IPV-related support services where public transportation is inadequate or unavailable, such as in Renfrew County, g. Funding to ensure mental health supports for IPV service providers, as well as timely access to trauma supports immediately following a traumatic event, h. Funding for services provided to survivors that allows for the hiring and retention of skilled and experienced staff so that they are not required to rely on volunteers and fundraisers in order to provide services to survivors, i. Funding for mobile tracking system alarms and other security supports for survivors of IPV, j. Funding for counselling for IPV survivors,
k. Funding for services dedicated to perpetrators of IPV.
Develop a plan for enhanced second-stage housing for IPV survivors.
Fund for “safe rooms” to be installed in survivors’ homes in high-risk cases. Education and Training
Develop and implement a new approach to public education campaigns to promote awareness about IPV, including finding opportunities to reach a wider audience in rural communities. These messages should promote broad recognition of how to seek support, risk factors, and warning signs of IPV, community and bystander engagement, be accessible in multiple languages and in multiple formats, and ensure that rural residents can identify themselves in the messaging and materials.
Complete a yearly annual review of public attitudes through public opinion research, and revise and strengthen public education material based on these reviews, feedback from communities and experts, international best practices, and recommendations from the Domestic Violence Death Review Committee (DVDRC) and other IPV experts.
Use and build on existing age-appropriate education programs for primary and secondary schools, and universities and colleges. Such programs should include: violence prevention, recognizing healthy and abusive relationships, identifying subtle indicators of coercive control, understanding risk factors (such as stalking, fear caused by IPV, strangulation, threats to kill), managing and processing feelings, dispute resolution, community and bystander obligations, the need for safety planning and risk management, and the unique experiences in rural and urban settings.
Ensure teachers are trained to deliver the IPV-related curriculum and utilize IPV professionals regularly to provide support for the delivery of primary, secondary, and post-secondary programming.
Develop a roster of resources available to support classroom teachers in the delivery of primary, secondary, and post-secondary programming where local IPV professionals are not available.
Review existing training for justice system personnel who are within the purview of the provincial government or police services.
Provide professional education and training for justice system personnel on IPVrelated issues, which should include: a. Annual refresher courses, b. Risk assessment training with the most up-to-date research on tools and risk factors, c. Trauma-informed practices, including an understanding of why survivors may recant or may not cooperate with a criminal investigation, best practices for managing this reality, and investigation and prosecution of perpetrators, d. Crisis management training, e. The availability and use of weapons prohibition orders in IPV cases, f. Meaningful screening of sureties, g. Greater use of court-ordered language ensuring alleged and convicted offenders will not reside in homes that have firearms, h. Indicators of IPV including coercive control, and awareness of risk factors for lethality (including destruction of property, especially by fire, harm to pets, strangulation, criminal harassment, stalking, sexual violence, and threatening police), i. Unique rural factors, j. Firearm risks, including the links between firearm ownership and IPV, k. Opportunities for communities, friends, and families to play a role in the prevention and reporting of IPV.
Provide specialized and enhanced training of police officers with a goal of developing an IPV specialist in each police detachment
Track whether mandated IPV-related professional education and training is completed by all justice system personnel. Measures Addressing Perpetrators of IPV
Establish a province-wide 24/7 hotline for men who need support to prevent them from engaging in IPV.
Provide services aimed at addressing perpetrators of IPV that should include: a. An approach that is not one-size-fits-all, b. A variety of group-based interventions augmented with individual counseling and case management sessions to assess and manage risk and to supplement services, as needed, to address individual needs, c. Peer support and appropriate circles of support, d. Prioritizing the development of cross-agency and cross-system collaborative services, e. Service models in the areas of substance use and abuse, general criminal behaviour, mental health, fathering, and culturally specific services, f. The ability to respond immediately with risk management services in collaboration with IPV service providers, g. Being accessible by clients voluntarily and via referral, and not just through the criminal justice system, h. Programs are funded at a level that anticipates an increased stream of referrals, i. Make in-custody IPV programs available in the community as well so that offenders can complete programs started in custody, j. Conducting audits of PARs and other perpetrator intervention programs for efficacy, consistency, and currency, k. Increasing program availability and develop flexible options for IPV perpetrators on remand, serving sentences, and in the community.
Recognize the specialized knowledge and expertise of IPV service providers involved in perpetrator intervention and support the development of workforce capacity within the sector by developing and providing competency-based training opportunities. Service contracts should include funding for supervision and ongoing professional development, and mental health support.
Address barriers and create opportunities and pathways to services for IPV perpetrators that can be accessed in the community. Referrals to service providers should be made as early as possible and should be repeatedly and persistently offered to both engage perpetrators and reinforce the need for perpetrators to be accountable for their abusive behaviours.
Improve the coordination of services addressing substance use, mental health, child protection, and IPV perpetration, and encourage cross-agency service provision and case management.
As new services are funded, include aims and outcomes associated with building an underlying network of specialized services to address IPV perpetration and developing messaging around its availability.
Ensure that IPV-related public education campaigns address IPV perpetration and should include men’s voices, represent men’s experiences, and prompt men to seek help to address their own abusive behaviours. They should highlight opening the door to conversations about concerning behaviours.
Endeavour to minimize destabilizing factors for perpetrators of IPV that increase risk, correlates of IPV, and barriers for survivors to leave violence. Specific consideration should be given to financial instability, housing insecurity, and mental health issues, including addictions treatment options, and how these factors and potential solutions are affected by rural contexts. Intervention
Explore amending the Family Law Act, following meaningful consultation with stakeholders, including survivors and IPV service providers, to provide authority to order counselling for the perpetrator where IPV findings are made by the family court.
Investigate and develop a common framework for risk assessment in IPV cases, which includes a common understanding of IPV risk factors and lethality. This should be done in meaningful consultation and collaboration with those impacted by and assisting survivors of IPV, and consider key IPV principles, including victim-centred, intersectional, gender-specific, trauma-informed, anti-oppressive, and evidencebased approaches.
Co-train justice system personnel and IPV service providers on the risk assessment framework and tools so that there is a common understanding of the framework and tools for those who support or deal with survivors.
Ensure that survivor-informed risk assessments are incorporated into the decisions and positions taken by Crowns relating to bail, pleas, sentencing, and eligibility for Early Intervention Programs.
Clarify and enhance the use of high-risk committees by: a. Strengthening provincial guidelines by identifying high-risk cases that should be referred to committee, b. Identifying and including local IPV service providers that are in a position to assist with case identification, safety planning, and risk management. Consideration should be given to including IPV service providers supporting perpetrators, c. Ensuring that involved IPV service providers at high-risk committees are given the necessary information to facilitate their active participation, subject to victim consent where applicable.
Establish policies making clear that, absent exceptional circumstances, those assessed as high risk or where the allegations involve strangulation should not qualify for early intervention. Crowns should also consider a history of IPV whether or not convictions resulted when determining whether early intervention is appropriate. Safety
Study the best approach for permitting disclosure of information about a perpetrator’s history of IPV and the potential risk to new and future partners who request such information, with a view to developing and implementing legislation. In doing so, study Clare’s law in the United Kingdom and similar legislation in Saskatchewan, Alberta and Manitoba, Bill 274 (Intimate Partner Violence Disclosure Act, 2021), and any other relevant legislation and policy. In the interim, develop a draft policy that can address this issue.
Set up IPV Registry for repeat IPV offenders similar to the Sex Offender Information Registry Act registry.
Explore the implementation of electronic monitoring to enable the tracking of those charged or found guilty of an IPV-related offence and enable the notification of authorities and survivors if the individual enters a prohibited area relating to a survivor. In determining the appropriateness of such a tool in Ontario, monitor the development of programs utilizing such technology in other provinces, with specific consideration given to: a. Coverage of cellular networks, particularly in remote and rural regions, b. Storage rules and protocols for tracking data, c. Appropriate perpetrator programs and supports needed to accompany electronic monitoring, d. Whether the tool exacerbates risk factors and contributes to recidivism, e. Understanding any impacts after an order for such technology expires, f. Frequency and impact of false alarms, g. The appropriateness of essential services being provided by private, for-profit partners.
Start grassroots “Safe Spaces” program that businesses can participate in where survivors can feel safe and ask for information (i.e. pamphlets and handouts from women’s shelters, VWAP and men’s programs).
In referrals made by the OPP to Victim Services, ensure adequate information is provided, including relevant history, safety concerns and known risk factors.
Ensure that OPP conduct a study on improving tactical response timelines as it applies to rural environments generally and in IPV cases in particular.
Expand cell service and high-speed internet in rural and remote areas of Ontario to improve safety and access to services.
Set up satellite offices for police officers to work safely and comfortably to spread police resources more evenly over wide rural areas (i.e. consider asking schools and municipal governments to provide office space).
Enhance court supports for IPV survivors and develop an IPV-focused model for criminal courts similar to the Family Court Support Worker Program. Consideration should be given to the independent legal advice program for survivors of sexual violence as a model for IPV survivors.
Encourage Crowns to consult with the Regional Designated High-Risk Offender Crown for any case of IPV involving a high-risk offender that may meet the criteria for Dangerous or Long-term Offender designations.
Crowns should actively oppose variation requests to have firearms returned for any purpose, such as hunting.
Strengthen annual education for Crowns regarding applications for Dangerous and Long-term Offender designations in high-risk IPV cases.
Commission a comprehensive, independent, and evidence-based review of the mandatory charging framework employed in Ontario, with a view to assessing its effect on IPV rates and recidivism, with particular attention to any unintended negative consequences.
Conduct study of judges’ decisions in IPV cases and track in longitudinal studies for recidivism, violence escalation, and future victims.
Review and amend, where appropriate, standard language templates for bail and probation conditions in IPV cases, and develop a framework for identifying the appropriate conditions based on level of risk in collaboration with stakeholders, including judges, justices of the peace, police, probation, crown attorneys, the CFO, and community providers with subject matter expertise in IPV risk management. The following factors should be considered: a. Enforceability, b. Plan for removal or surrender of firearms and the Possession and Acquisition License (PAL), c. Residence distance from victims, d. Keeping probation aware, e. Safety of current and previous victims, f. Possibility of a "firearm free home" condition, g. Past disregard for conditions as a risk factor.
Require that primary actors advise the CFO in a timely manner of expected and changed residential addresses of individuals who have been placed under weapons conditions.
When evaluating the suitability of a prospective surety in IPV cases, Crowns should make inquiries as to whether residential sureties have firearms in their home or a PAL.
Develop a process, in consultation with the judiciary, to confirm that release conditions are properly documented.
Ensure that Probation Services reviews and, if necessary, develops standardized protocols and policies for probation officers with respect to intake of IPV offenders and with respect to victim safety.
Review the mandate of Probation Services to prioritize: a. Condition compliance, b. Victim safety, c. Offender rehabilitation.
Require that probation officers, in a timely manner, ensure: a. There is an up-to-date risk assessment in the file, b. Probation conditions are appropriate for the level of risk of the client and written in a way they can enforce, and, if not, request a variation, c. They contact the survivor to inform her of the offender’s living situation, any conditions or limitations on his movement or activities, and what she should do in the event of a possible breach by the offender, d. Regular contact with survivors to receive updates, provide information regarding the offender’s residence and locations frequented, and any changes to such circumstances, and seek input from survivors and justice system personnel before making decisions that may impact her safety, e. Improved supervision of high-risk perpetrators released on probation, including informed decision-making when applying or seeking to modify conditions that impact the survivor’s needs and safety, f. Risk assessments and risks of lethality are taken into account when making enforcement decisions.
Ensure existing policy and guidelines require probation officers to follow through on enforcement of non-compliance by requiring delivery and documentation of clear instructions regarding expectations to supervised offenders in a way that allows for direct and progressive enforcement decisions. This should be a focus for performance management and quality assurance processes.
Ensure collaboration between corrections and probation staff to improve rehabilitation and risk management services. Consideration should be given to twoway information sharing including of case notes, and opportunities to order treatment in institutions for those with existing probation orders who are on remand. To the Chief Firearms Officer: The Chief Firearms Officer should work with appropriate decision-makers to:
Review the mandate and approach of the CFO’s Spousal Support line to: a. Change its name to one that better reflects its purpose. It should be clear that it is broadly accessible and not limited to a particular kind of relationship, b. Be staffed 24 hours a day and 7 days a week, c. Be publicized to enhance public awareness, and become better known among policing partners possibly through All Chiefs’ bulletins.
Create guidelines for staff in making decisions regarding whether to issue, review, revoke, or add conditions to PALs to ensure consistency among staff and through time. Particular attention should be paid to red flags and risk factors around IPV, including where there is no conviction.
Require that a PAL is automatically reviewed when someone is charged with an IPVrelated offence.
Require PAL applicants and holders to report to the CFO in a timely manner any change in information provided in application and renewal forms submitted to the CFO, including when an individual with weapons restrictions comes to reside in their home.
Amend PAL application and renewal forms to require identification as a surety. To the Office of the Chief Coroner The Office of the Chief Coroner should:
Ensure that the DVDRC reviews its mandate with a view to enhancing its impact on IPV and provide the DVDRC with improved supports.
Ensure DVDRC annual reports are published online in a timely manner.
Ensure that DVDRC reports and responses to recommendations are publicly available and will continue to be available without charge.
Consider adopting Femicide as one of the categories for manner of death. To the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario The Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario should:
Working together with the DVDRC, justice partners and IPV service providers, develop a plain language tool to empower IPV professionals to make informed decisions about privacy, confidentiality, and public safety. To the Government of Canada The Government of Canada should:
Explore adding the term “Femicide” and its definition to the Criminal Code to be used where appropriate in the context of relevant crimes.
Consider amendments to the Dangerous Offender provisions of the Criminal Code, or the inclusion of a new classification of Offender under the Criminal Code, that better reflects the realities of IPV charges and takes into account risk factors for serious violence and lethality in an IPV context.
Undertake an analysis of the application of s. 264 of the Criminal Code with a view to evaluating whether the existing factors adequately capture the impact on survivors. Consider the removal of the subjective requirement that the action causes the victim to fear for their safety.
Consider finding alternate means for survivors to attend and testify in court, such as by video conferencing.
Implement the National Action Plan on Gender-based Violence in a timely manner.
Establish a Royal Commission to review and recommend changes to the Criminal Justice system to make it more victim-centric, more responsive to root causes of crime and more adaptable as society evolves.
Include “coercive control”, as defined in the Divorce Act, as a criminal offence on its own or as a type of assault under s. 265 of the Criminal Code. To the Parties to this Inquest The Parties to this Inquest should:
Reconvene one year following the Verdict to discuss the progress in implementing these recommendations. Source: https://lukesplace.ca/86-recommendations-for-change-from-the-renfrew-county-inquest/
Explain to us what inspired you to get into this work?
I was inspired to become part of the Special Victims Unit largely due to the fact that it is a multi-faceted role which has the common thread of supporting and helping those who are the most vulnerable of victims in our community. The Special Victims Unit takes carriage of such investigations as Intimate Partner Violence, Sexual Assaults, Child Abuse and Neglect, Human Trafficking and Elder Abuse. I have the privilege and honor of working with victims of all ages and walks of life, whether though investigative means or supportive means, to work towards helping them through some of the worst times in their lives.
Can you explain a bit more about the support services your unit provides to those who have or are at risk, of experiencing gender-based violence?
The Special Victims Unit at the Woodstock Police Service works towards supporting our victims, both through investigation, as well as through connecting them to support services specifically for what they are needing during a difficult time in their lives. The Special Victims Unit works closely with multiple community partners, and can assist to resource out what supports a victim may require. We do these things by placing referrals, connecting victims directly to the resource, as well as creating networking support groups in situations where victims may need multiple supports.
For those who have, or are at risk of experiencing gender based violence, we are able to meet with the victims, learn their story, educate on what is gender based violence and what it may look like, such as the warning signs and red flags to watch for, conduct investigations and conduct safety planning for themselves and their families. The SVU can be used as a conduit for victims to everything available to them in the community.
What are some myths that exist about the role the Police play in supporting victims, and what would you like victims to know?
I believe that one myth, or fear that may exist for victims, is the fear of judgement. As an investigator with the SVU it is not part of my job to pass judgement on anyone. It is my job to learn, assess, educate, investigate, assist to keep safe and set victims up for a successful path moving forward.
I believe another myth is that there isn’t many available supports for vulnerable victims. There is a multitude of supports available to the vulnerable victims in our community. Each victim is unique and each have different needs when it comes to safety planning and supports. When victims work together with the SVU, we are able to get them connected, supported and are always available to them for a resource.
Is there anything else you’d like us to know?
If you believe, or someone you know is believed to be a vulnerable victim of Intimate partner violence, or any of the other offences the Special Victims Unit supports please do not hesitate to call (519-537-2323 ext. 3235). If you, or someone you know is in immediate danger call 911 immediately.
Explain to us what inspired you to get into this work? I stumbled into this field, but once I was here, the work spoke to me. Being able to assist women to see their own courage and strength while watching the transformation from what happened to them, to who they truly were was the reason I stayed as long as I have.
Can you explain a bit more about what intimate partner violence is? It can be abuse of several forms between two people who have a relationship, whether it be a current, former or a dating connection.
What populations does it typically impact? It hits all populations, from early adolescent to older adult, unfortunately, no population is immune to IPV.
What are some myths that exist? The victim provoked the violence, it is caused by what the victim is wearing, saying, doing; That the victim would leave if it was really that bad; That violence only occurs to those who let strangers into their lives; that abuse/violence is only perpetrated by low-income, marginalized people to low-income, marginalized victims; that people would notice IPV happening in their friends/family relationships and that it can’t be hidden; Perpetrators are mean to everyone they meet, so they can be easily identified as an abuser.
What supports and/or resources are available for those who have experienced violence in Oxford County? A 24-7 Crisis/Help/Information line; a secure shelter accommodation service for women 16+(with or without children) who are impacted by abuse; assistance with safety planning; a transitional program including housing and supports for assistance with family/criminal court, therapeutic counselling, workshops, education and children and youth programs, assistance in navigating the varied services one needs to leave an abusive relationship; one-to-one counselling; Supportive Mothering & Believe In Me Programs to support a parent/child(ren) in dealing with effects of abuse; a Caring Dads Program designed for men who have abused, neglected their children or exposed them to abuse of their mother; sexual assault counselling through Oxford Sexual Assault Services.
What is one thing you’d want a survivor/victim to know?
I want to ensure that a victim knows that abuse is not their fault, it is not something to be ashamed of. This is something that has happened to you, but it never defines you. You are not alone, there are services and supports that will help you find where you want to go.
Can you explain a bit more about what services Wellkin offers within the community? What is the population you serve?
Wellkin Child & Youth Mental Wellness delivers family mental health care with a focus on infants, children and youth living in Oxford and Elgin counties. Our programs and services support the needs of each individual based on their life and family circumstances. Wellkin maintains a well-rounded approach to service delivery to ensure everyone accessing our services will achieve stability through active participation in treatment plans designed to address safe, healthy, and manageable outcomes.
In order to meet client and family needs, Wellkin offers a wide range of programs and services offered in person, as well as virtually, based on client preference and needs. In-person services are available at our Woodstock and St. Thomas offices, as well as at our satellite offices in Tillsonburg, Ingersoll and Aylmer. Some community-based services are also offered in home, school or other community settings.
Programs and Services
Our Quick Access Therapy Services, is comprised of Single Session Therapy, Brief Therapy, and Therapy Services.
Goals:
Provide timely therapeutic care to infants, children, youth and their families seeking mental health support, at their chosen moment of need;
To ensure that infants, children, youth and their families receive the most suitable supports for their identified needs; and
To co-create strategies, which build upon current knowledge, skills and abilities, to begin to move forward with identified goals.
The Early Years program for parents of children aged 0 to 6 seeks to understand the meaning of children’s behaviors within the context of the family and supports parents to meet their child’s needs.
The Urgent Access Therapy Service offers children and youth who are experiencing a crisis or urgent situation, and their families, an opportunity to connect with a therapist in a time sensitive manner.
We provide several goal-focused groups and workshops, designed to meet a range of needs for children, youth and caregivers. We also provide single session workshops throughout the year, to meet the needs of parents and caregivers.
The School Community Intervention Partnership (SCIP) is an innovated children’s mental health program committed to an effective early intervention for children with difficulties in regulating their behaviors that may be interfering with their performance at home, school, and in the community. SCIP Consultants will work with your family in a confidential and supportive manner to coordinate meetings with school personnel, attend scheduled appointments, provide parental/guardian support, and connecting your family with community resources.
The Intensive Family Services is an In-Home parent support program that provides parents with the coaching, support, and skills they need in order to improve and strengthen family relationships.
The Day Treatment Program is designed to provide a treatment alternative for children with long-standing behavioral and emotional difficulties who struggle to function successfully in a regular classroom setting or other alternative programs. Through this program, we integrate academics and social skill development through various treatment options.
The Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Family Support Program provides community-based supports for children and youth who have a diagnosis of High Functioning Autism or Asperger Syndrome for successful community integration and transitions.
Respite services provide families with an interval of rest and relief by helping them in finding the formal or informal respite supports that will meet their individual family needs. Respite dollars flow through Wellkin and allocations are determined through the Oxford Respite Network, and the Elgin Respite Network, which were formed out of knowledge that our community is in need of a more coordinated model of respite supports and services and that families want choice regarding their respite supports.
The Community Support and Resource Program, offers a range of flexible, community based, educational, and other related services for families or youth referred by the Children’s Aid Society of Oxford County. The program has the flexibility to provide services to families whose children are at the home and that may be at risk of family breakdown, or with families whose children are already out of the home.
Wellkin’s Youth Justice Therapy program provides community-based, time limited mental health support to address the issues and challenges of young persons with mental health and/or behavioural needs who are involved in the youth justice system. Services provided will be clinically focused, individualized, based on assessed needs, are evidence-based, and undertaken with a trauma informed approach.
Stats over the last two years:
We have seen an increase in intake requests for those experience family violence over the last 2 years. In 2020-2021 we had 1 person request services in comparison to 2021-2022, where we saw 11.These numbers have also risen. In 2020-2021 we saw 3 people request services, compared to 2021-2022 where we saw 52.
Is there anything else you’d like us to know?
For more information on how to access our programs and service, please call us at 1-877-539-0463 or visit our website at www.wellkin.ca
Explain to us what inspired you to get into this work?
As a young Social Work student, I had the opportunity to complete an internship at Windsor Essex Children's Aid Society. It was through this experience that I was able to begin to appreciate the complexities of the child welfare sector and the many challenges that families are charged to overcome; be it generational abuse, limited opportunities for families who represent equity seeking groups, substance dependence, domestic violence, and/or poverty to name a few. I have had the privilege to be witness to the resilience and grit of the human spirit when individuals are able to overcome these challenges and work towards making an individual change which positively impacts the whole family system. The inspiration to continue on in this work comes from a desire to support and sustain a service response which is person centered, anti-oppressive, creates opportunity for everyone, honors the uniqueness of each individual and at the end of the day, leaves people in a better spot.
There remain some preconceived notions about the role of CAS. Could you explain to us what services are offered through CAS, who you support, and why these services are critical for communities?
Thanks for asking that question, I love to highlight that the majority of our work is with individuals and families in the community. I've often had to dispel the myth that child welfare service responses always include children coming into a foster home. We have been able to create a service response that recognizes children and youth are always a part of a larger network that care and support them and we strive to keep families together while planning for safety. We have a Family Violence Counselling program, as well that is available to anyone in the community who is experiencing abuse or wants to stop using abusive tactics in an intimate partner relationship. Our programs are for children, youth, women and men and are separate but complimentary to our child welfare services. We are a strong service partner and work collaboratively with other services to make sure that we are all working together in a way that supports the community as a whole. In addition, we also have some great programs that are available to everyone in the community, regardless if child welfare service is involved. Our early help offerings in the community include afterschool programs, breakfast programs as well as educational supports so children and youth are able to realize their full potential. We are lucky to have parent volunteers who support the community and are targeted to increasing community belongingness for children and youth.
June is PRIDE month, and we’d like to know what CAS does to ensure kids and youth feel included and seen?
In all of the services we provide, we honor the uniqueness and strength of each individual. This might include having opportunity for mentorship, ensuring our physical space is inclusive or participating in advocacy for children and youth who are struggling in their identity. We strive to offer a service response that resonates for all individuals who receive our service. This includes ensuring that we know who we are serving by asking for identity data which informs our service response for the people we serve. As an organization, we have a strong emphasis upon Equity and Inclusion and are committed to creating a safe service offering everyone by ensuring staff receive training and support in creating a psychologically safe space for all individuals. We have membership with the Rainbow Coalition in our community which has created community training opportunities for all service providers.
Is there anything else you’d like us to know about CAS and the work you do in Oxford County?
The main thing that I would like for everyone to know is that as a service resource network, DART’s intention to creating a healthy and vibrant community that is safe and responsive is a goal that The Children’s Aid Society and Family Violence Counselling program is proud to be a part of. Our best hope is that we are a part of a strong service network that is able to connect people to the service they need, regardless of which service they reach out to.
This year we created a community snapshot to reflect the realities of Oxford County as it relates to matters of gendered based violence. This snapshot was created in collaboration with many community partners.
If you or someone you know is experiencing any forms of domestic and/or sexual violence, or is at risk of human trafficking, please don't hesitate to reach out to Domestic Abuse Services Oxford. If you're looking for resources or to learn more about these issues and how you can support your loved ones, please check out our website under resources.
