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Child & Youth Advocacy Centre

May 2023

May Flowers

It’s been four years since we started Project Hope. We can all be proud of the work that has been accomplished during this time: from researching and selecting a co-located model, to developing a business plan and governance model, to launching our first pilot program with DASA and YRP.

Communicating the value of a CYAC for York Region has also been a key priority to ensure support across stakeholders and the community. Over this time, we’ve released nine newsletters to our Board, CAST and partner organizations, reached over 2,000 visitors through our website, been featured on various regional news sites, published over 50 social posts, and now we’re relaunching our government relations campaign, which was put on hold during COVID-19.

We’re thrilled to announce Cedar Centre will be receiving five additional years of funding for the development of the CYAC from the Department of Justice Canada for the period of April 1, 2023 through March 31, 2028. Key deliverables for this grant include:

  • the design, implementation, and evaluation of two pilots (Child & Youth Advocate role, case conferences);
  • the evaluation of one full year of the DASA/YRP pilot that began in September 2022;
  • completion of various activities related to the operations of the CYAC such as business plans, development of policies, procedures and additional Memos of Understanding;
  • execution of a comprehensive, multi-tiered government relations plan;
  • development of communication material to support the Capital Campaign;
  • securing space, and preparing space for operations; and developing detailed transition plans for the move to the CYAC.

We are grateful to the Department of Justice Canada for their continued confidence in the team. The work being done by the entire team to make Project Hope a reality would not be possible without the financial support from the DOJC.

DASA/YRP Pilot

We’ve made significant progress with the DASA/YRP pilot since starting the pilot in September 2022. A report is being written to highlight findings from the first six-months of data collection, which included conducting focus groups with YRP detectives from the Crimes Against Children unit and a debrief with the team from DASA.

We will continue to collect data on sexual and physical assault cases to inform resource planning needs until September 2023. A final report will be written in Fall 2023 to capture the full year of learning.

National CAC-CYAC Conference

Representatives from CACs and CYACs from coast to coast to coast gathered on March 8-9, 2023 to showcase some of the work being done across the country. The conference took place in Kelowna, British Columbia and participants had the option to attend in-person or virtually. Topics presented included:

  • the process used by one CYAC to become a trauma-informed organization;
  • a review of cultural considerations to be mindful of when working with Indigenous children and youth during investigations; and
  • the role of caregivers in providing support to children and youth following a disclosure of physical and/or sexual abuse.

Attendees were also provided with an update on the formation of a National Association which is on track to be formally established in 2023.

We’re thrilled to announce Cedar Centre will be receiving five additional years of funding for the development of the CYAC…

May

07

2024

May 2024

Earlier this year, we shared a very exciting announcement. Cedar Centre was accreditated by Imagine Canada, a prestigious milestone that highlights Cedar Centre’s unwavering dedication to transparency, accountability, and excellence in its work in the Child & Youth Mental Health, Adult Mental Health and Addictions, Violence Against Women, and Anti-Human Trafficking sectors.  We are immensely proud to have received this accreditation. It is a testament to the hard work and…

October

01

2023

October 2023

Welcome to our Fall newsletter with the latest updates on our pilot program, Dress Purple Day along with a few of the recent findings in Raising Canada's 2023 report. DASA/YRP Pilot Program To guide planning and resource allocation for the future CYAC, we launched a DASA/YRP pilot in September 2022.  Both organizations collected data during the six-month period between September 2022 and March 2023.  The information collected included case counts…

December

01

2022

December frosted trees
December 2022

Since our last update in the Spring, we’re excited to share with you the latest developments for Project Hope along with a recent study that provides new analysis on social return on investment results for CYACs in British Columbia. Pilot programs YRP/DASA referralsThis September we launched a pilot program focused on supporting referrals from YRP to DASA for sexual abuse cases. The purpose of this pilot is to look at…

May

01

2022

May flowers
May 2022

The Project Hope team has been busy over this last year developing a pilot program, planning office designs for the ideal shared space, and attending the annual National CYAC-CAE Network Conference. Below is an update on our progress. Pilot program This fall we are launching a pilot program focused on supporting referrals from YRP to DASA for sexual assault/abuse. A working group has been formed to develop a logic model,…

June

01

2021

June lake island
June 2021

We are excited to report on the progress we’ve made over the last few months.The Planning Committee continues to meet regularly and has almost finalized the ideal workflow for York Region’s Child & Youth Advocacy Centre (CYAC). Partners are working on estimates for resource and space requirements to help us better understand the size of building we will need to house the new Centre. As previously highlighted in our timeline,…

March

01

2021

March flower
March 2021

As we continue to develop the region’s first Child & Youth Advocacy Centre, it is important that we create awareness and secure support from the communities the Centre will serve. To that end, we have developed specific campaigns and initiatives around public and government relations and general community awareness that we’d like to share with you here. In early January, we reached out to news sources in York Region and…

December

01

2020

December snow covered berries
December 2020

We are excited to welcome Jewish Family and Child Service and Dnaagdawenmag Binnoojiiyag Child & Family Services to the CYAC partnership. As critical, legislated service providers, they will help ensure that the future Child & Youth Advocacy Centre not only reflects the needs of our community but also ensures that clients have access to culturally appropriate services. Jewish Family and Child Service is a multi-service agency that strengthens and supports…

September

01

2020

September orange leaves
September 2020

As we continue to navigate these challenging times, our hearts go out to all the health care professionals and other essential service workers who are risking their lives every day to take care of us. The #stayhome orders have certainly helped to flatten the curve of COVID-19 cases over the past several months. Unfortunately, there are unintended consequences to having everyone shelter at home. Reports released over the last several…

May

01

2020

May dew on new leaves
May 2020

These last few months have been an extremely challenging time, unlike anything we’ve seen or had to deal with in our lifetime. Our hearts go out to all the health care professionals and other essential service workers who are risking their lives every day to take care of us. Stress is a contributing factor for abuse, particularly physical abuse. During the pandemic, adults are experiencing increased levels of stress, and…

December

01

2019

December snow covered barn
December 2019

Imagine a place where all children and youth in York Region who have experienced physical, sexual, or emotional abuse or neglect feel welcome and safe. A place where criminal justice, child protection, and mental health services are fully integrated and under one roof. A place where multi-disciplined teams are committed to ensuring that our processes do not cause further harm. A place where everyone is dedicated to ensuring the right…

January

30

2024

CEDAR CENTRE ACHIEVES IMAGINE CANADA ACCREDITATION, DEMONSTRATING COMMITMENT TO EXCELLENCE

YORK REGION, January 30, 2024 – Cedar Centre is thrilled to announce its recent accreditation by Imagine Canada, a prestigious milestone that highlights the organization's unwavering dedication to transparency, accountability, and excellence in their work in the Child & Youth Mental Health, Adult Mental Health and Addictions, Violence Against Women, and Anti-Human Trafficking sectors.  The Standards is a recognized nonprofit accreditation created to provide best practices that help organizations improve…

January

13

2021

YORK REGION TO GET ITS FIRST CHILD & YOUTH ADVOCACY CENTRE

NEWMARKET, Ontario - Cedar Centre, the leading provider of trauma-specific therapyto children, youth, and adults in York Region who have experienced interpersonalchildhood trauma, announced today their intention to create the region’s first Child andYouth Advocacy Centre (CYAC). In partnership with York Regional Police, York RegionChildren’s Aid Society, Dnaagdawenmag Binnoojiiyag Child & Family Services, andJewish Family and Child Service, the CYAC will ensure these children and youth whohave experienced physical, sexual,…