Information Package. Introduction to Victim Services of Peel Please ensure that you have reviewed this package in its entirety.

Transcription

1 Information Package Introduction to Victim Services of Peel Please ensure that you have reviewed this package in its entirety. Victim Services of Peel is a non-profit organization that provides service to victims of crime and tragic circumstance within the Region of Peel. Governed by a Board of Directors, our service is delivered by a highly skilled group of staff and volunteers. Mandate VSOP offers immediate crisis intervention, short term counseling, witness assistance, resources, information, and referral services that provide around-the-clock support to persons victimized or at risk of victimization by crime or tragic circumstances. Service delivery is based upon the principles of empowerment and choice through education and advocacy. Mission Statement Its mission is to provide 24 hour crisis support to persons victimized or at risk of victimization by crime or circumstance in all communities of Brampton and Mississauga. Statement of Values and Beliefs Empowerment - We provide services based upon principles of empowerment and choice. Accessibility - We believe that anyone who is victimized should have timely access to all services within the Region of Peel. Advocacy - We are agents of change where there are systemic inequities or inadequacies that contribute to a person s victimization. Respect and Dignity - We believe that everyone has a right to be treated with respect and dignity. Collaboration - We work in collaboration with other service providers to achieve our Mission. Awareness - We believe that victimization can be prevented and reduced through information and education. Accountability - We are fiscally responsible in ensuring the effective and efficient operation of our VSOP. 1

2 Service Delivery 24 hour practical and emotional support available to consenting victims 16+ Immediate response to a scene at the request of Peel Regional Police Referrals to community resources Personal safety plans and information addressing personal safety needs. Service delivery is based on empowerment through information, education and resource referral that inform the individual of the options available to assist them on their path to recovery. Our offices are open from Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. and on weekends from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. When a call is received during these times, a staff member responds to the crime or tragedy, such as suicide, homicide, traffic fatality, domestic violence, sexual assault or sudden death. Staff responds through telephone interventions or at the scene (scene attendance) depending on the situation. In each scenario, both emotional and practical support, short term assistance, provision of information/resources and referrals to community-based services as well as public education are offered. Between the hours of 10 p.m. and 8 a.m. Monday through Friday as well as on weekends from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. and 11 p.m. to 8 a.m. calls are received by our answering service. Calls will then be paged out to the team leaders with the pertinent information. Team leaders are specially trained senior crisis volunteers who receive all of the calls during times when the office is closed. Team Leaders subsequently contact the Crisis Response volunteers at their place of residence to either return a telephone call to a client or on a less frequent basis, accompany the team leader to the scene of a crime or tragedy, hospital, residence, or police station upon the request of a Peel Regional Police Officer. *Supervisory staff members are on back up to provide additional guidance when required. Our Bail Court Recorders provide support to persons accessing the courts. Staff and volunteers are at court from 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., during weekdays. There are two shifts; 9:00 am to 1:15 and 1:15 to 5:30 pm. During weekends from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm two court volunteers staff the court office and keep in regular contact with the main office staff. The main focus of the court program is to record information regarding the accused legal status. This information is then relayed back to our offices. The victims are then informed via telephone by one of our staff members and further options and resources are discussed with the victim. On occasion, the weekend court volunteers may be required to provide information about the bail hearing process to persons who have been victimized who choose to attend the bail hearing. While victims do not need to attend these bail hearings, they do at times choose to do so. During the weekdays, a full time staff member provides all support and information to clients and volunteers focus on recording bail court outcomes. 2

3 Public Education/Special Event volunteers are required only on an occasional basis. These individuals assist by staffing information booths at community, job or career fairs as well as at fundraisers and other special events. These individuals provide information to the general public, hand out pamphlets and answer any generic questions about the agency. As this position requires comprehensive knowledge of our programs and services, completion of the entire training is required prior to being considered for this role. Candidates must possess excellent communication and interpersonal skills. In addition, a strong customer service background would be an asset. Our South Asian Family Enrichment program (S.A.F.E.) matches South Asian clients requiring practical assistance with trained S.A.F.E. volunteers who speak the same languages and share similar cultural backgrounds. These volunteers support the clients on a very practical level assisting them in assimilating into the Canadian culture, learning to use the transit systems, our automated banking systems as well as helping them to understand and navigate the Canadian legal process. Candidates interested in this program are screened by both the Manager of Volunteer Resources as well as the SAFE Program Coordinator. Please note positions and hours of services are very limited and available on an as needs basis. There is also an opportunity for individuals to volunteer within our charitable Bingo program. Our charity Bingo s are held within the city of Brampton and are run on a monthly basis between the hours 12:00 noon to 4:00 pm. Following a minimum of one year of consistent active service, crisis responders may be considered for the role of a Team Leader within the Crisis Response program. Team leaders are senior level crisis response volunteers who possess an excellent knowledge of Victim Services of Peel s programs and services. They also possess excellent leadership skills as well as polished interpersonal skills. Candidates for this position would be required to attend all training sessions and fulfill the minimum requirement of one year of consistent Crisis Response volunteer service prior to being considered for this role. All Volunteer Applicants must meet the following criteria: Must live within or on the border of the region of Peel (Mississauga or Brampton) Undergo a detailed screening and interview process Submit to and pass a Police Criminal Records Search Provide two references which will be verified Be at least 18 years of age Able to commit to one full year of active volunteer service commencing directly following training. References will not be provided until the minimum one year commitment has been fulfilled. Command of the French language is a definite asset. 3

4 Important: Candidates will not be considered eligible to participate in our volunteer program for a minimum of two full years following victimization or trauma and until they have satisfied the agency that they are ready to provide support to clients without risk of causing further trauma to themselves or undue trauma to others. Please be aware that this may take longer than two years and may result in some individuals not being suitable to serve as a volunteer. Successful Applicants must agree to the following criteria: Complete a comprehensive 10 week in-class training schedule as well as a comprehensive e-learning curriculum and obtain a 70% average. (Crisis) Sign a volunteer memorandum of understanding as well as a confidentiality agreement. Sign an acknowledgement indicating that the volunteer manual of policies and procedures has been read in full and agree to abide by them. Commit to a minimum of 2 court sessions per month, or 3 crisis sessions per month for a minimum of one year. Individuals who wish to support in both roles and meet the requirements can adjust the required number of shifts. Other program requirements vary per program. Crisis Response specific criteria: Provide confirmation of one million dollars of automobile liability insurance and have access to a reliable vehicle to utilize for all crisis shifts in the event of a scene attendance. Personal Characteristics: Maturity Personal responsibility and accountability Ability to embrace diversity and support clients in a non-judgmental manner Able to respect and maintain confidentiality Possess excellent listening skills Function with compassion, courtesy and sensitivity Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills are required Ability to work harmoniously with staff, volunteers and internal/external stakeholders Training Requirements: (Crisis Program) Victim Services of Peel has taken great care in developing a comprehensive training that exceed our governing bodies and funders criteria thereby ensuring that our volunteers are both knowledgeable as well as practically prepared to function effectively and skillfully within their desired roles. In order to ensure that volunteers will be well equipped to provide services to victims of crime, trauma and tragic circumstances, both in class and e-learning modules will address the following issues: Police Procedures Intimate Partner Violence Domestic Violence Special Victims Unit Crisis Intervention 4 Mental Health Sexual Assault Suicide & Risk Assessment Grief and Bereavement Criminal Justice System

5 Supportive Counseling Active Listening Cultural Diversity Personal Safety Planning Role Play Demonstrations Role Play Assessments Scene Attendance Protocols Telephone Intervention Guidelines Shelters (VAW) Funeral Orientation The in- house modules are facilitated by a variety of representatives from partnering agencies as well as staff members. The e-learning modules are completed at home. (You must have access to high speed internet) The training sessions are run on an as needs basis, generally once per year for an eleven (11) week period. The training sessions occur in the evening from 6:30 pm to 9:00 pm. Please note that there is also one mandatory weekend training included in the program which will include a full Saturday and half day Sunday session. Attendance at all training sessions is compulsory. Individuals who have missed a training session will not be eligible to volunteer. Training Requirements: (Court Program) 11 E-learning modules must be completed (70% minimum score) Court Manual Orientation 2 In court Training Shadows Approved Court Training Checklist Please note that all trainees are required to complete all e-learning modules. A final written exam and role play assessments are also required for the Crisis Program While it is my sincere hope that each trainee will successfully complete the training process and move on to become an active volunteer, there are instances where it is determined that suitability for the program and the role for which an individual is applying has not been met as specified by Victim Crime Assistance Ontario (V.C.A.O.) and or our funders, The Ministry of the Attorney General as well as the Ministry of Community and Social Services. In such instances, the agency will endeavor to provide an alternate volunteer opportunity. However, there are instances in which this is simply not feasible. Please ensure that you follow the guidelines for requesting an application by sending an to volunteer@vspeel.org during our recruitment periods. Victim Services of Peel recruits and posts volunteer opportunities on the following sites: