MOA Between VFCYJ and CASA Victoria

Program

The intent of this memo of agreement is to specify the relationship between the Victoria Family Court and Youth Justice Committee (FCYJ) and CASA Victoria in order to provide high quality services to vulnerable children and their families within the Greater Victoria area. The FCYJ is incorporated under the Capital Regional District (CRD). Pursuant to FCYJ policy CASA has submitted an application which was approved September 8, 2010 following recommendations from a Task Force comprising the FCYJ Youth Justice Sub-Committee and CASA representatives.

The CASA Mission Statement states that:

CASA: Greater Victoria advocates for the best interests of at risk children who are before the provincial court pursuant to the Child, Family and Community Service Act. The safety and well-being of children is the major concern and a stable family is the preferred environment for the care and upbringing of children. The child's best interest and where feasible the views of the child will be heard and represented to the court. This will be achieved through trained volunteers with notice and disclosure to all parties.

This is consistent with the mandate of the FCYJ Committee to serve youth at risk through issues handled in court under the Child, Family and Community Service Act(CFCSA).

CASA Victoria started through a community needs project by volunteer members of Leadership Victoria who consulted with many local groups and individuals followed by a conference of community leaders who confirmed the need for a CASA program in Victoria. CASA is a well established in the USA and the development of CASA Victoria has been supported throughout by the National CASA organization.

The FCYJ and CASA Victoria agree to the following:

1. CASA will operate as an independent sub-group of the FCYJ but be part of the FCYJ family. Eventually CASA may develop its own Board of Directors under the Society Act (B.C.) but initially will be guided by a CASA Development Group comprised of members of the community.
2. Following agreements, CASA will pilot the program in an agreed upon jurisdiction. At the end of the pilot term, CASA will undertake an evaluation of the pilot for presentation to the FCYJC prior to expanding into other jurisdictions.
3. CASA will report monthly to FCYJ meetings. A delegate from CASA will be selected by CASA and will be appointed to the FCYJ Committee by the Capital Regional District.
4. CASA will keep its own accounts and operate its own budget. Seed money may be allocated by FCYJ at their discretion. CASA will seek other sources of funding that do not conflict with FCYJ. CASA will prepare an annual report for inclusion in the FCYJC Annual Report.