BCASVACP Services
To see upcoming BCASVACP events, go to the Calendar of Events.
Toll-Free Support, Debriefing and Information to Programs
The Association responds to calls on a daily basis from programs that need assistance. We provide referrals, support and information and help programs to connect with each other. We support front-line workers, administrators and Board members across BC. Some of the areas that we commonly assist with include: what to do when files are subpoenaed, interventions where women are at risk and systems are not acting, developing records management policy, child protection issues and apprehensions, court-mandated counselling clients, the impact of trauma counselling on the counsellor, accreditation, general policy development and program management.
Regional Support Conference Calls
Each year, the Association coordinates regional conference calls to provide support and information to front-line workers. These calls create opportunities to share concerns and issues, problem-solve, and identify priorities that guide the Association in our work to mitigate problems in the anti-violence field.
Monitoring and Mitigation of Issues
During the regional conference calls, we hear about problems in the field that need resolution. Sometimes these problems relate to women’s safety, other times to policy issues in the various systems women deal with. The Association documents the issues, monitors them over time and works to solve the problems at the regional or provincial level.
Newsletter
Our newsletter is a forum for members and other subscribers to share information, learn from other programs, and find out the latest news from the Association and around the province. The newsletter is published three times a year, and always includes feature articles on key issues currently affecting programs.
Website
Our website provides 24-hour access to information and resources for program staff, volunteers and others in BC and beyond. All Association tools and resources are posted on our site; this cuts down on time-consuming borrowing of resources or the need to print and mail multiple copies to each program.
Listservs
The Association manages four separate listservs for Community-Based Victim Assistance Programs, Stopping the Violence Counselling Programs, Stopping the Violence Outreach Programs and cross-sectoral coordination initiatives. The listservs have created a lively forum for dialogue and information sharing between programs as well as for distribution of crucial updates and new resources by the Association.
Interpretation of Policy, Legislation and Case Law
We conduct research and analysis of policy, program and legislative issues that affect our programs and the people they serve. The legal system is complex and ever changing, as are policy and programs related to social assistance, employment, criminal injuries, etc. The Association conducts analysis and distributes information to assist programs in understanding complex areas of law and policy so that they can pass this information on to their clients.
Assistance to Government
Throughout the year our funding Ministries require input on issues from the field. The Association conducts focus groups, surveys and needs assessments so we can provide that information. In addition, we inform the Ministries of emerging issues and sensitivities to assist them in setting directions and making decisions.
Education of Other Relevant Sectors
As a way to improve and advance the profile of anti violence services, as well as to improve the response women receive from other sectors, the Association provides education to sectors such as family law advocates and lawyers, police and police victim services, emergency managers, emergency social service coordinators, Corrections, etc.
Training
The Association develops and delivers training for anti-violence programs that improves the consistency and quality of services, increases knowledge and skills, reduces isolation and creates networking opportunities. We have been successful in accessing funds from the federal government to augment the training funds from the provincial government.
Resource Development
Guided by the feedback and priorities articulated by the programs, we develop resources and tools to assist service providers and to reduce duplication of efforts across BC. Examples of resources we have developed include the Records Management Guidelines, the Stopping the Violence Counselling Best Practices Guide and the Emergency Preparedness Workbook.