LUNA CHILD AND YOUTH ADVOCACY CENTRE LTD.

Luna’s purpose is to ensure children youth and families impacted by child abuse receive the support they need to heal; to hold offenders accountable; and to build engaged communities where everyone plays a role in preventing abuse so that all children and youth are safe. We realize this purpose through our multi-disciplinary team with expertise in forensic interviewing law enforcement child protection prosecution mental health medical assessment victim services the education sector prevention and advocacy. Each year Luna serves close to 3 000 children youth and families from Calgary and the surrounding areas who are impacted by abuse. As a CYAC we focus on the most complex severe and urgent cases of child maltreatment that require a multi-system and integrated response. Luna’s core partners include Alberta Health Services Alberta Justice & Solicitor General Calgary Police Services Children and Family Services and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. By bringing these partners together we minimize the need for children and families to repeatedly recount their experiences and navigate complex systems alone. In addition to the multi-system interventions typical of a CYAC Luna offers specialized services and programs that include: a Child Life Specialist who helps prepare children for their first visit and ensure they know they are safe; a Facility Dog program; a Forensic Interview expert who oversees the forensic interviewing program and ensures that children are interviewed in the most trauma-informed and effective way possible; two Remote Testimony Rooms; and a Victim Services team of staff and volunteers who act as key support and system navigators. Luna also has a close partnership with local school districts resulting in support for children within their schools and Educators and school staff are provided with tools and resources to recognize and respond to suspected child maltreatment. Luna’s multi-disciplinary team also boasts additional bench-strength due to the Child At Risk Response Team (CARRT) and Alberta Vulnerable Infant Response Team (AVIRT) both of which are delivered by integrated teams of professionals from core partner agencies closely aligned with Luna. As Luna continues our vital work in intervention and healing we have also assumed a more upstream role in protecting children and youth with the objective of building communities where abuse is not only addressed but prevented.