Offer confidential, non-judgmental advice and support for women, and gender - and sexually - diverse individuals, and their children experiencing gender-based violence and abuse.

Services include:

• emergency shelter
• 24/7 support line (call/text)
• compassionate counselling
• safety planning
• legal advice and support
• child and youth programming
• violence prevention programs and education
• second-stage housing
• transitional housing and support
• mental health and addictions support

Family Court Support Worker Program -- Facilitates a victim's understanding of and passage through the family court system. Support provided includes:

• information on the family court process
• assistance in preparing for family court proceedings (documenting history of abuse, accessing Legal Aid)
• debriefing with clients following family court appearances
• referral to specialized services and supports in the community
• safety planning
• court accompaniment to proceedings when appropriate

Individuals and families do not have to stay at the shelter to access any of the free, confidential services. The goal is to provide safety, support and empowerment to vulnerable women, Two-spirit, gender queer, trans and non-binary individuals in the community.

A prevention program for families with children of all ages who may be at risk for substance use problems, depression, violence, delinquency and school failure.

The Strengthening Families for the Future program is designed specifically to reduce risk factors, build individual resilience and enhance family protective factors. These strategies help prevent children from developing problems with alcohol, other drugs or mental health concerns.

Strengthening Families is a powerful family change program because it involves the members of the family. The goals of the program are to

• reduce children's or adolescents intention to use drugs and alcohol as well as to reduce behavior problems
• increase children's resilience and life skills which include communicating, resisting peer pressure, recognizing their feelings and solving problems
• increase positive and effective parenting skills
• improve family communication

This program is a partnership between the DSBN and the John Howard Society of Niagara and is run in communities across the Niagara Region. Dinner is provided at all sites

A safe place to help, heal and end child abuse for children and youth throughout Niagara who have experienced alleged physical abuse, sexual abuse, become the targets of internet luring, or were the unwilling witness of violence. The environment is child-focused and private, providing a safe and non-threatening space for children/youth to disclose their abuse experiences to specially trained teams from the Niagara Regional Police Service and Family and Children's Services Niagara who respectively, investigate to determine criminal charges and protection needs.

These professionals conduct joint, forensic interviews that provide recorded evidence to take forward through the justice system. Mental health professionals from Family Counseling Centre Niagara provide much needed follow-up support at no cost and without a wait list. The existence of the Kristen French CACN minimizes the number of times children must tell their story, reducing the trauma of disclosure and ensures a coordinated, cost-effective delivery of service to Niagara's children, youth and their supportive family members.

Opened in 2008, Kristen French CACN is a registered charity that serves Niagara's 12 municipalities, helping children and families cope with the life altering impacts of child abuse.

Information and assistance to support participation in and understanding of the criminal court process. Services begin once police have laid charges and continue until the court case is over. Services include:

• information about victims' rights, the criminal justice process and their specific case (e.g., court dates)
• needs assessment and referrals to community agencies, including Indigenous and other culturally specific agencies
• crisis intervention, trauma-informed support, victim advocacy
• facilitates victim's input and liaises with Crown Attorneys, police, regarding bail, safety, resolution of charges, release conditions, publication bans, testimonial aids, trial preparation and court orientation
• arranges for interpreters and accessibility accommodations
• information and support on Victim Impact Statements, Statement on Restitution
• facilitates access to court orders, such as bail conditions, probation orders, peace bonds
• debriefing and follow-up support

Vulnerable Victims and Family Fund (VVFF) -- Helps support victims of crime, including families of homicide victims and motor vehicle fatalities resulting in criminal charges, participate more fully in the criminal court process by providing financial assistance and court-based supports for:

• travel to attend key court dates
• language interpretation services
• special accommodations for victims with disabilities, such as real-time captioning
• necessities for victims of human trafficking or gun and gang violence while attending court

A Supported Transitional Housing Program. Housing sites available in St Catharines, Niagara Falls, Welland and West Niagara

• Adoption Services
• Foster Care Services
• Youth Services
• Family Counselling Centre
• Child Care Programs

Provides confidential, single session therapy through phone, virtual or in person sessions.

Deals with a variety of issues including family crisis/conflict; relationship breakdown/conflict; parenting issues; self esteem; abuse; traumatic event; communication; separation and divorce; grief and loss; anger; sadness and/or worry.

Referrals and suggestions for other services are also provided.

Provides 24 hour emergency medical care and crisis intervention to all individuals (male and female) who have been sexually assaulted or victims of domestic violence within the last 12 days. Services are provided through a specialized team sensitive to the needs of survivors. Options of care include emotional support, prophylactic treatment of sexually transmitted diseases, HIV post exposure prophylaxis, pregnancy prevention, and the collection of forensic evidence to assist in the legal process. Victims of domestic violence have options of medical treatment, documentation of injuries, safety planning and police involvement.

For emergency treatment, go to any emergency department or urgent care centre in the Niagara Region. The on-call Sexual Assault/Domestic Violence nurse will be contacted.

Counselling Program: Offers short-term trauma counselling to recent victims (within 2 years of the assault/abuse) of sexual violence or intimate partner violence to individuals 16 years of age and older. A social worker is available to answer questions and/or determine eligibility for counselling services every Wednesday morning between 9 am-12 noon. Call for information.

Distress Line Program

• Provides a free, confidential, 24-hour telephone distress line available 24/7/365.
• uses trained volunteers
• assist callers to solve their own problems
• information and referrals
• intervene in life-threatening situations
• extensive pre-service training programs for distress line
• suicide prevention and intervention workshops
• communication skills training

Text and Chat Program

• provides emotional support, crisis and suicide intervention through text or instant message for those individual who many not want to receive support face to face or speak over the phone.
• provides free, confidential 24-hour online and text support
• uses trained volunteers
• assist callers to solve their own problems
• information and referrals
• intervene in life-threatening situations
• extensive pre-service training programs for distress line
• suicide prevention and intervention workshops
• communication skills training

Crisis and Support Line

The Crisis and Support Line provides immediate telephone counselling. It operates weekdays for children and youth up to the age of 18 and their families. The crisis and support services team is comprised of mental health counsellors. Some of the things the team can assist with include:

• Crisis stabilization/crisis intervention
• Parenting strategies
• Behavioural management strategies
• Linkages to community resources

Walk-in Clinics

Pathstone has 10 walk-in clinics across Niagara where youth can meet with a Pathstone counsellor. Video sessions are are also available. There is no cost, no referral and no health card required to access either the Crisis and Support Line or Walk-in Clinic services.

Arson Prevention Program for Children (TAPP-C): The Fire Involved Program is the mental health portion of the Arson Prevention Program for Children as developed by the Centre for Addictions and Mental Health in Toronto. The program is available to children and youth prior to their 18 birthday. Fire setting behaviours need to be treated very seriously as these behaviours can lead to severe property damage, injury and even death. The Fire Involved Program primarily addresses these behaviours as well as co-existing concerns.

Sexualized Treatment Out-Patient Program (STOP): A mental health treatment based program designed for children/youth who are exhibiting sexual behaviour problems or have been charged with a sexual offence. Great attention is paid to ensure extensive safety planning, comprehensive assessment, high quality treatment and collaboration with additional professionals and/or agencies is carried out.

High Risk: The High Risk program serves children and youth identified at an elevated risk of suicide and/or harm to others. Typically referred by community partners like police, schools, hospitals or child welfare, these youth receive intensive, individualized services aimed at reducing imminent risks.

Designed to bring the indigenous community back into balance by improving indigenous health and reducing family violence through traditional teachings, healing circles, land-based learning and ceremony.

The program aims to prevent and disrupt the cycle of violence in Métis families through supportive, preventative, and educational activities for children and youth ages 0-18 and their families.

The program is there to provide a variety of family specific programming to help address the needs of Métis families who are working to heal from violence, have children who are in the care of family services, or have youth who are involved in the justice system.

Through the Program, MFWB Coordinators work to develop individual and family wellness plans which are specific to the unique needs of each person. From there, MFWB Coordinators can facilitate access to peer counselling, provide advocacy and referral services, help clients navigate the system, and help to connect them with traditional knowledge and practices. These activities are designed to divert children and youth away from high risk behaviours.

The program also offers educational gatherings which are open to the community and provided within culturally safe spaces which are developed and provided by the program.