Monthly update – CASASC Connections – April
Welcome back to CASASC Connections. This is a space where we provide updates on our services, programs and all things CASASC for the month of April.
Clinical/Counselling
Counselling can be accessed Monday – Friday and does not require a referral or special circumstances. Individuals can call the main office to start their counselling journey anytime at 403-340-1124.
- Sessions are offered in-person, through secure video chat or by phone
- Waitlist is approximately two months
- We have a session cap of 15 sessions
Adult clients: Call the main admin line. An intake appointment will be booked with our Intake Worker, then you will be set up with a counsellor.
Child/youth clients: We will need to ensure consent forms are in place (both parents or legal documentation) and the same process will happen – an intake appointment is booked, followed by appointments with one of the child counsellors.
Kinship Intervention Program (KIP)
KIP offers a combination of early intervention practices and a community-based approach, integrating anyone in the youth’s support network or community.
Available to any Indigenous youth (age 6 -17) who exhibits sexualized behaviour concerns or engages in “sexual acting out” or who has experienced sexual violence. The program works collaboratively with the youth’s family and elders.
KIP builds relationships throughout Central Alberta with both Indigenous and non-Indigenous service providers and communities. We can provide in-person mental health services for Indigenous youth and adults, including crisis intervention and remote counselling services.
24 Hour Sexual Violence Help Line
1-866-956-1099 www.casasc.ca
Available through phone, text or webchat – We provide 24/7 confidential and anonymous support and a friendly conversation with the end goal being information, support and referrals.
In March the help line received 148 plus contacts. The SART team responded to six calls.
Volunteers Needed – email casasc@casasc.ca
Join our team. We continue to accept applications for virtual and remote volunteers on the 24/7 Help Line.
Police, Community + Court Support
For more info email courtsupport@casasc.ca
The CASASC Police, Community + Court Support program is your safe place. We are dedicated to being that place where you work through your options, navigate the system, and process a traumatic experience. Our support workers are here to listen and support you while you are considering or navigating the criminal justice system. We are advocates and sources of information for you – that safe guiding presence throughout the process.
The Community + Court Support Program is available to anyone (age 16+) who has experienced sexual violence. You’d don’t need to be an existing CASASC client.
No matter where you are in your healing journey, or whether you choose to report, the Police, Community + Court Support Program is here to provide:
- Support, information, and advocacy. No legal services or advice is provided
- Can discuss options for legal advice and provide resources and referrals
- Information about reporting, the court process and court preparation
- Accompaniment to report and/or court proceedings
- Assistance with filling out forms and applications
*Ask us about the SUPPORTIVE REPORTING option
Victims and Survivors of Crime Week is coming in up May. Stay tuned for more details on the virtual event May 18.
Education – Prevention and Awareness
education@casasc.ca
Consultation sessions are available for community workers, schools and teachers who are looking to build their classroom content and curriculum for next school year. Consider reaching out to our Education team to support your lesson planning. Our prevention education content for Grades K-12 fits many areas in Alberta Health and Life Skills as well as CALM curriculum outcomes.
We’d be happy to connect with other organizations, presentations and programs you are bringing into your classes as well to make sure our content doesn’t overlap and can together provides a well-rounded set of lessons for your students.
Have summer child + youth programming? We work year-round and have opening this summer to deliver some interactive lessons at your camps and programs. Connect today to book us in.
Let’s connect
Follow us on our social pages to stay updated with what we are up to
- Twitter @CASASC2
- Facebook @CASASCRD
- Instagram @CASASC3
Did You Know?
- May is Sexual Violence Awareness Month (SVAM) and we’re asking for your support. Stay tuned for more information about our hosted events in May and join in.
- Community consultations are available. Our Education and Awareness team is happy to connect with you about sexual violence awareness, SVAM and social action planning. We provide free PD opportunities and information to help support staff and client knowledge of sexual violence resources and prevention strategies.
- Don’t be caught off guard. Learn about sexual violence services so that you can support when called upon. You’ll never know you need us, until you do.
- Sexual violence remains a problem in Canada. Forty-five per cent of adult Albertans have experienced some type of sexual abuse in their lifetime. That is almost one in every two Albertans.
- In Alberta, two in three women and one in three men have experienced sexual abuse in their lifetime. In a 2019 study, 67 per cent of Albertans indicated knowing a survivor of sexual abuse, with 53 per cent having personally supported a survivor.
Youth Opportunity – Seeking Poster Ideas
What would you like to see on a consent-related OYMY poster? What does consent look like and sounds like for youth?
Do you know a creative youth? We are looking to expand our campaign with new poster variations, and we’d love to hear your ideas. Let us know what you would like to see on a consent poster, your ideas, specific wording or your thoughts on a different target audience. Or try your hand at designing a new look for our posters.
Poster ideas, designs and messages should focus on what consent can sound & look like? Remember, consent is not just for sexual activity.
Email your ideas and designs to education@casasc.ca
Virtual Learning Series
The CASASC Spring/Summer e-learning series is back. For the months of May to August CASASC will be hosting various free + virtual education lessons for the community.
Services & Programs at CASASC (30 min)
A short session overviewing the programs and services available at CASASC.
For May – August dates and to register visit:
Introduction to Sexual Violence (60 min)
A public awareness and education presentation that introduces, and highlights, definitions and concepts related to sexual violence. We will discuss dispelling myths and stereotypes, talk about victim blaming, the realities of sexual violence and a brief understanding of supporting disclosures.
For May – August dates and to register visit:
https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/introduction-to-sexual-violence-presentation-tickets-305057193277
Supporting Disclosures (45 min)
This session will help to enhance our skills and knowledge around supporting disclosures of sexual violence. An overview of the fundamentals of responding to and supporting disclosure of sexual assault and abuse from children, youth and adults. Learn some key messages and legal obligations when it comes to reporting child abuse.
For May – August dates and to register visit:
https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/supporting-disclosures-of-sexual-violence-tickets-305060773987
Consent 101 (60 min)
Join us as we overview basics about consent to sexual activity, key focus on conversations for youth and young people. This program can help you talk about consent with youth and can also help us understand the role of consent in healthy relationships. Definitions, laws + ages of consent, sexting and healthy intimate partner relationships will be some of the information covered.
For May – August dates and to register visit:
https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/consent-101-tickets-305082248217
Activity Sharing – Teaching Prevention Education, Grades K-7 (60 min)
Join our Education team as they share a few activities you can do with children and youth to engage them in prevention education conversations. We will explain how to use the activities, provide you with access to the digital materials, practice delivery as needed and answer any additional questions. Activities geared for class sized groups of children/youth however can be adapted to individual conversations.
- Body Parts Bingo (Grade K-4)
- Body “bubble” Boundary (Grade 4-6)
- Emotion Statues (Grade 4-6)
- Diversity Unicorn (Grade 5-7)
For May – August dates and to register visit:
