Transcript Goal: To assist the mentally ill and provide integrated case planning

A community marred by poverty, unemployment, untreated
mental illness, drugs & crime
The Mission
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be innovative and problem-solving
improve offender accountability
address the underlying causes of criminal behaviors
Operate efficient, cost-effective court
build a safe, thriving, socially-cohesive community
Welcome to Vancouver’s Community Court
www.communitycourt.bc.ca
• Canada’s Only Community Court
• A New Approach to Crime
• An Innovative, Problem-Solving, Results-Oriented Court
Who do we serve?
Downtown Vancouver & Downtown
eastside of vancouver
- downtown vancouver is one of
the most densely populated cities
-ethnically and linguistically diverse, over 50%
of population speak english as a second
language
- offences include: violence, drugs, propertyrelated, nuisance, fraud and breaches of court
orders
What do we Do Differently?
1. Integrated, multi-disciplined on-site team:
Mental Health Worker
* Mental Health Intake Assessment
* Mental Health Assessment and Case
Plan
Nurse
* Addictions Brief Intake Assessment
* Health Intake/Liaison on all Referrals
* Drug Treatment Court
Probation Officer
* Alternative Measures
* Court Reviews
* Drug Treatment
Aboriginal Case Worker
* Alternative Measures
* Court Reviews
Victim Support Worker
* Follow up with Victim(s)
2. Mental Health Program
• Goal: To assist the mentally ill and provide integrated
case planning for offenders who are chronically
mentally ill
• Forensic Liaison Worker
• Probation Officer
• Mental Health Teams
• Addiction Clinics
• Housing
• ensure victim/community safety
Mental Health Program results
• 90 Referrals to the program in 2011
• average of 4.2 Court Appearances resolve case
3. Aboriginal Justice Program
• Goals: to provide a restorative justice process which focuses on repairing
the relationship between the victim, offender and community
• Native-specific Counseling
• Vancouver Aboriginal Transformative Justice (diversion & potlatch, eldermediation)
• 75% success rate!
4. Case Management Teams
Goal: To provide comprehensive and integrated support to offenders who are
vulnerable, marginalized, drug-addicted, with limited access to social services in
order to address underlying criminogenic factors.
probation officer
police officer
employment assistance worker
social worker
health care worker
aboriginal support
housing support
5. Chronic Offender Program (COMET)
Goal: to identify OFFENDERS entrenched in criminal lifestyles and
chronically offending and offer them drug recovery and intense
management in the community.
• Vancouver Police Chronic Offender Unit
• Case Management Team
• Reaching Out Recovery Home
• Example of public/private partnership
Interesting numbers for 2011
New individuals who appeared in DCC
2,549
New Cases
4,651
Individual receiving legal aid
488
alternative measures/diversion
406
Mental Health Program
91
aboriginal diversion program
70
Forensic Mental Health Reports
172
individuals who received medical assessments
242
Program Facts for 2011
health program participants
DCC Community Program participants
1,120
706
Community Services Project hours
2,073
community services street working crew hours
4,145
Individuals housed at emergency shelters
Number of days housed
New income assistance applications
number of victims involved
191
2,279
64
1,199
Health Programs offered at community court
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Acupuncture
Addiction, Education & Discussion
Harm Reduction (drug use)
Health Screening (medical care)
Relationship With Alcohol and Drugs
Life Skills Series
Cooperative Communication skills
Values & Goal Setting
Self Esteem and Community Resources
Time Management
Managing Stress
Other programs offered to offenders at
community court
• Aboriginal Front Door - Elder Mediation
• Anger Management
• Conflict Resolution & mediation
• Crime Addicts Anonymous
• Crime & Consequences
• Women’s Support Program
• Native Court worker & Counseling Association - Alcohol & Drug
Counseling, Individual Counseling (Co-Ed & Women Only)
• Restorative Art Program
• Open Door Employment & Education Program
community service program
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premised on principles of restorative justice
offender pays debt to community
Tailor offenders needs to their placement
offender is connected to social programs and community
fabric
Building a community: Summer Lunch at Community Court
The End.