The Federal government is handing out $129,618 in funding to help establish a Child and Youth Advocacy Centre that has a simple goal and that is to put the child in the middle and surround him or her with the right resources all under one roof.
Jeffrey Hawkins, the Executive Director of Hands TheFamilyNetwork.ca, says the model is similar to one created in Toronto.
“It really brings together all the elements that are involved when violence occurs relating to children and youth and their families, particularly directly to children, so that includes obviously the police investigation piece, the child protection piece of the children’s aid society, the health pieces that are part of the hospital, and the therapeutic and support pieces represented by HANDS and victim services,” explained Hawkins at the media event Friday morning on John Street.
“So how do we do that in a seamless, responsive fashion so the child is not telling their story over, so that the family feels supported, and that it’s seamless and all aspects get addresses which are all critical in these situations. To simplify the work, part of it is having people in the same location for these particular people dedicated to this function.”
Hawkins says they will be working on finding a permanent location for the new facility as they are currently trying to firm up that ideal spot.
“The actual location we have two or three possibilities we’re looking at while working through the steering committee made up of the partners that decide on what’s going to be the best location,” said Hawkins.
Anthony Rota, the MP for Nipissing-Timiskaming, believes this is a very beneficial program.
“By coming together and determining what’s required up front, the child does not have to be traumatized and re-live the experience over, and over, and over again. So bringing everyone together, and getting everything in one place at one time, I think makes it a lot easier for our children,” he said.
Hawkins says they hope to have the implementation plan in place before March of 2018.
