YORK REGION CENTRE FOR COMMUNITY SAFETY

THE YORK REGION CENTRE FOR COMMUNITY SAFETY (YRCCS) IS A CO-LOCATED SINGLE ACCESS POINT FOR COORDINATED SERVICES WITHIN YORK REGION TO MEET THE NEEDS OF THOSE AFFECTED BY DOMESTIC VIOLENCE THROUGH AN INTEGRATED HOLISTIC ACCESS TO SERVICES. THE GOAL OF THIS MODEL IS TO ENHANCE COORDINATED SERVICE DELIVERY THROUGH CO-LOCATING AMULTI-DISCIPLINARY TEAM OF PROFESSIONALS AND TO IMPROVE ACCESS TO NEEDED SERVICES IN ONE CENTRAL LOCATION WITHOUT HAVING CLIENTS RETELL THEIR EXPERIENCES. THE KEY COMPONENTS OF THE PROGRAM ARE: TO PROVIDE ONE PHYSICAL LOCATION AND CO-LOCATE A MULTI-DISCIPLINARY TEAM OF PROFESSIONALS FROM DIFFERENT AGENCIES TO SUPPORT VICTIMS OFINTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE SEXUAL VIOLENCE HUMAN TRAFFICKING AND FAMILY VIOLENCE. THE GOAL IS TO MAKE SERVICES MORE ACCESSIBLE TO VICTIMS AND SUPPORT THEM WITH NAVIGATING SYSTEMS LIKE JUSTICE AND CHILD WELFARE. THE MODEL ALSO REMOVES THE VICTIM'S BURDEN OF RETELLING HER STORY TO EVERY SERVICE PROVIDER. YRCCS IS ABLE TO PROVIDE A VICTIM WITH CASE MANAGEMENT AND CONNECT HER TO POLICE ADVICE HOUSING EMPLOYMENT AND SOCIAL ASSISTANCE FINANCIAL LITERACY COUNSELLING SUPPORT GROUP PROGRAMS FOR MOTHERS AND CHILD WITNESSES OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE. THE PRIME BENEFICIARIES OF THE PROJECT ARE INDIVIDUALS IMPACTED BY DOMESTIC VIOLENCE/ABUSE/HUMAN TRAFFICKING. THEY CAN CONTACT YRCCS ON THEIR OWN TO ACCESS SERVICES OR THEY ARE REFERRED TO US BY YORK REGIONAL POLICE VICTIM SERVICES OF YORK REGION AND OTHER COMMUNITY PARTNERS. THEY DO NOT NEED TO SEARCH FOR SERVICES NOR DO THEY NEED TONAVIGATE SYSTEMS WHILE IN CRISIS.