This week, CWAVS team members at Raven's Nest Child and Youth Advocacy Centre (CYAC) held a half day training on information-sharing within the context of providing wrap around services to children and youth who have experienced a crime or violence. We were fortunate enough to have Gisela and Krysta from the BC Network of Child and Youth Advocacy Centres, along with Caitlin from the Office of Information and Privacy Commission, running the training.
The training took staff through privacy legislation, mature minor designation, and the negative outcomes of withholding information based on fear.
Training opportunities like these facilitate conversations that keep children and youth in the centre of our planning processes while always applying consent and safety at the forefront of every decision.
CWAVS Executive Director Nora Livingstone with Raven’s Nest CYAC staff and community partner Officer Kim from RCMP Duncan/North Cowichan Indigenous Policing Services at Facility Dog Zoomer’s birthday party in September.
The training was held with 30 of our community partners that share in the responsibility of collaborative case planning and coordinating to ensure that every child or youth that wants support on their journey through the justice system has safe and timely care. Community partners present included RCMP Duncan/North Cowichan, the Ministry of Children and Family Development, Child and Youth Mental Health, Cowichan Valley Youth Services Society, and Stsi'elh Stuhw Tu Smun'eem.
Learning together as a community increases the value of our work and ultimately strengthens relationships and outcomes for those we serve. We couldn't do this work without the support of our community, and we are so grateful for these important partnerships!
– Lexa Smerdal, Raven’s Nest CYAC Program Manager