VFCYJ Submission Form - Mary Manning Centre (Turtle Talk)

Victoria Family Court and Youth Justice Committee

Priorities Sub-committee Form for Goods and Services Submissions (Grants and extraordinary committee expenses)

Please send your submission to Councillorday@shaw.ca for distribution

1. Date of Application:

November 6, 2013

2. Name of organization / person(s) applying:

Mary Manning Centre 210-1175 Cook Street Victoria, B.C. V8V 4A1

Contact person for follow-up: Sandy Bryce, Executive Director 250-385-6111

3. Background of organization / person(s) or applicable history of related projects:

Mary Manning Centre is the only non-profit agency dedicated to treating child and youth victims of sexual, physical and emotional abuse in the Greater Victoria area.

Annually, MMC delivers accredited services to more than 200 children and non-offending family members every year. MMC staff works with families, schools, police and professionals in family services to ensure a coordinated, holistic approach to supporting children and families. Our services are accessible to all, and accommodate the needs of children and parents with disabilities. MMC's clinical team consists of child and family therapists and art therapists with Master's level credentials. We provide care for children and youth at every stage of healing from crisis management, hospital accompaniment and counseling, court preparation sessions and post-court follow up. We also provide resources and information to Victims Assistance Programs (VAP) throughout Vancouver Island and Sexual Abuse Intervention Programs (SAIP) throughout BC.

Some of our initiatives include:

• Initiated and developed the original ORCA project which MMC devolved in 2011
• Art and somatic therapies with clients are part of MMC's therapy repertoire
• Supported the development of a YOU tube clip about abuse created by youth from MMC. The design, development of this presentation engaged youth in the message and articulated their feelings about abuse in a meaningful, engaged way.
• Developed and implemented "Turtle Talk" in collaboration with Tsawout First nation for 3 years supporting the training of on reserve staff and elders in the identification and healing of children, youth and their families from the detrimental and long term effects of sexual abuse.

4. Clear goals and objectives of the project — clear indications of relevance to the Family Court and Youth Justice Committee mandate

We request $ 3,000 in funding for the development of Turtle Talk on line training protocols for distribution to First Nations communities in B.C. A high percentage of youth in contact with the youth justice system have experienced abuse. Aboriginal youth far outnumber the number of non aboriginal youth in the youth justice system. This Turtle Talk project will provide resources for aboriginal youth and families through its support of victims in a holistic community based manner based upon 3 years of service delivery experience on a B.C. reserve. Funding for the "Turtle Talk" educational initiative will enable us to extend the development of positive mental health in children, youth and families in BC First Nations communities at a minimal cost.

5. Any features of the project you believe are pertinent to this application:

MMC developed the Turtle Talk program in partnership with Tsawout First Nation on Vancouver Island. As a result of the success of this program, MMC received numerous requests from other First Nations to deliver the program on reserve. This initiative will increase our capacity to do so by developing the materials on line for direct service delivery by First Nations personnel given MMC's limited financial resources.

6. Will the project dovetail with other similar work? (i.e. in the Greater Victoria area or within your organization)

MMC's mission is the prevention and treatment of abuse in all its forms. In a desire to increase accessibility to its services, MMC initiated the Turtle Talk program four years ago. Turtle Talk is an abuse prevention program for hi risk aboriginal children, youth and families. It focuses on values, principles and situation focused problem solving. The program is geared for children ages 4-11 and their parents. MMC provided therapeutic support to victims and their families and mentorship to First Nations leaders in the delivery of sex-abuse support services and delivered the program in a culturally sensitive manner. Working with health and justice staff, the program focused on educating children, parents and families about the importance of disclosure of abuse, signs to look for, and healthy relationship building. MMC assisted in strategizing a prevention and recovery model that incorporates First Nation's respect for restorative interventions and outcomes. For MMC, Turtle Talk is an extension of our values of accessibility and support for diversity and the rights of victims.

7. Budget: to include clear accounting with potential line items and accompanying narrative, please include funding from other sources and feel free to attach a spreadsheet if needed:

$ 3,000 will be used to fund salary costs necessary to complete the protocols and set up for online distribution as funding for the Turtle Talk program ended in November 2013.

8. Other funding avenues/partners being explored:

An application for financial assistance has been made to the Steve Nash Foundation and in addition an application will be made to Justice Canada for an additional three year grant to support on reserve delivery of the Turtle Talk program to Esquimalt and Songhees First Nations as per their request.

9. Catchment area served — target population:

First Nations communities in B.C.

10. Needs/problems to be addressed through the project work:

The development of the on line protocol supports the training needs of reserves and aboriginal staff in trauma and sex abuse counseling focusing on the importance of disclosure of abuse, signs to look for, healthy relationship skills and a prevention and recovery model.

11. Deliverables (goods and services to be provided):

On line protocols delivered to First Nations throughout B.C. with potential training and education delivered to First Nations through regional conferences and meetings.

12. Timeframes (e.g. Intended start date of project, length of time from start of project to deliverables, one time project or on-going?)

• January 2014 for completion by June 2014 — Protocol documentation and on line delivery

13. Evaluation framework (How will you know if your project has been a success and how will the Family Court Committee know?):

Success will be measured by the completion of the protocols and the utilization of a minimum of 2 First Nations communities in B.C.

This form is intended for your convenience and that of the FCYJC. Please use it for your submission and as a guide. Please feel free to use more space for comments if required. Form updated: Jan, 2010(C. Day)