Provides individual, group and family counselling on the following issues:

• Domestic violence
• Relationship issues
• Child abuse
• Suicide prevention
• Drug and alcohol addiction

Offers the following cultural services:

• Cultural teachings
• Naming ceremonies
• Sweat lodge ceremonies

• Provides free legal advice and representation to eligible clients in certain areas of law
• Assists individuals representing themselves or in making official complaints
• Speaks to community groups, agencies and educational groups on a wide range of legal topics
• Answers questions on specific points of law and/or refers individuals to other agencies

Areas of focus include:

• Canada Pension Plan and Old Age Security
• Criminal Injuries Compensation
• Employment Insurance
• Human rights
• Rent increases and rent review
• Tenant rights
• Social assistance, including Ontario Works, Ontario Disability Support Program benefits and family benefits

Note: May be able to assist with commissioning affidavits and/or notarizing documents in the areas of laws practiced

Provides short-term individual, group and family counselling on the following topics:

• Abuse/Self Harm
• Anger management
• Bullying and harassment
• Drug and alcohol use
• Grief and loss
• Health and Wellness
• Interpersonal relationships
• Problem solving
• Self-esteem
• Separation and divorce
• Stress management
• Time, organizational skills and study management
  
• Will also participate in re-entry plans and help identify areas of concern regarding school safety and security
• Provides in-school support for victims of violence
• Offers character education
• Provides follow-up support following crisis intervention/hospitalization

• Operates a counselling centre dedicated to providing services to Francophone women who have experienced any type of violence including sexual, physical, psychological, verbal, economical
• Works toward creating a community where women and their children are empowered, respected and valued

Offers an array of services including the following:

• Fem'aide, a 24-hour crisis telephone service
• Individual counselling
• Support groups
• Referrals to other community agencies and services
• Crisis intervention services
• Accompaniment to various appointments and meetings
• Public education and awareness campaigns

• Offers mental health and general adult counselling, psychotherapy and other treatment services related to mental health issues
• Offers identification and assessment of signs and symptoms of mental health problems
• Conducts bio-psychosocial investigations
• Offers individual and group support
• Provides collaboration and consultation with other service providers

LOCAL CMHA BRANCH SERVICES DURING COVID-19

CMHA branches are open but many are offering alternative service delivery at this time
Service delivery may be provided:

• in person
• by phone 

or in the following virtual ways:

• PCVC - Personal computer video conferencing
• OTN - Ontario Telemedicine Network
• ZOOM -  Video/web conferencing platform

Please note: CMHA branch offerings are subject to change in response to the ongoing developments of COVID-19. The website below will reflect the most accurate and current information.

Follow this link to determine how service delivery is being provided by choosing the appropriate CMHA location from the website's drop down list.

 

• Assists family members to cope with all types of mental illnesses
• Offers group sessions to share frustrations and concerns
• Offers counselling and support to family members in a confidential setting
• Offers psychoeducation training to family members regarding mental health and mental illness

LOCAL CMHA BRANCH SERVICES DURING COVID-19

CMHA branches are open but many are offering alternative service delivery at this time
Service delivery may be provided:

• in person
• by phone 

or in the following virtual ways:

• PCVC - Personal computer video conferencing
• OTN - Ontario Telemedicine Network
• ZOOM -  Video/web conferencing platform

Please note: CMHA branch offerings are subject to change in response to the ongoing developments of COVID-19. The website below will reflect the most accurate and current information.

Follow this link to determine how service delivery is being provided by choosing the appropriate CMHA location from the website's drop down list.

Provides legal assistance for low-income people
Services include:

• Legal representation for eligible clients who appear in court without a lawyer
• Legal aid applications and information over the phone
• Legal resources and referrals to other social assistance agencies
• A certificate program for complex and serious cases

Areas of law served include:

• Criminal
• Domestic violence
• Family

Does NOT cover applications for:

• Wrongful dismissal
• Change of name
• Personal bankruptcy
• Power of attorney
• Money lent to others or money owed to others
• Sponsorship of relatives
• Commercial litigation
• Real estate matters and libel
• Defamation and slander

• Gives immediate legal assistance to individuals who appear in court without a lawyer
• Provides information about legal rights, obligations and basic court procedure
• Helps negotiate or settle issues
• Reviews or prepares court documents to be filed
• Helps determines if further duty counsel services are required or if the matter requires Legal Aid Ontario's assistance in retaining a lawyer

Provides assistance in:

• The courtroom for child protection hearings
• Garnishment and support hearings
• Requesting adjournments
• Arguing motions
• Hearings for issues such as custody, access, or support where the issues are not complicated

COVID19 Update: Court case backlog -- clients may experience difficulties contacting local offices and should leave a message with return phone number; VWAP staff will return voicemail as soon as possible

• Provides information and assistance to support participation in the criminal court process
• Services begin once police have laid charges and continue until the court case is over

Offers:

• Case-specific information (court dates, bail conditions)
• Court preparation
• Needs assessment
• Emotional support
• Crisis intervention
• Referrals to community agencies

Vulnerable Victims and Family Fund

Provides financial and court-based supports to enable victims of crime and families of homicide victims to attend court, including:

• Travel arrangements and expenses
• Language interpretation
• Real-time captioning or other equipment for victims with disabilities

• Promotes growth and healing for Indigenous people through culturally-specific services
• Reduces family violence and promotes healthy lifestyles

Provides the following services:

• Applying to healing lodges
• Elder visits
• Supportive peer counselling
• Traditional peer counselling

Programs provided:

• Anger solutions
• Weekly sewing circle
• Traditional health program

• Offers on-site early intervention and crisis intervention
• Provides needs assessment, safety planning and referrals to community services
• Offers enhanced support for vulnerable victims
• Provides assistance with applications to VQRP+

Victim Quick Response Program+ (VQRP+)Provides assistance with emergency expenses related to the incident, including:

• home safety
• accommodation
• meals
• transportation
• basic necessities
• dependent care costs
• counselling
• traditional Indigenous health services
• cellular phones
• vision care
• dental care
• aids for victims with disabilities
• interpretation services
• crime scene cleanup
• government/medical documents
• funeral expenses

Additional assistance for victims of human trafficking includes:

• storage locker
• tattoo removal
• treatment at a recovery facility

Note: No direct reimbursement to victims for above supportsFinancial support also available for:

• victims who sustained serious physical injuries during a crime
• parents of child homicide victims
• spouses of homicide victims

Volunteers

• Recruits individuals to provide support to victims
• Provides individuals with specialized training at no cost

Volunteers will:

• Assist in developing a personalized safety plan for the victim
• Provide information about legal assistance and programs
• Offer referrals to long-term service providers within the community
• Provide temporary practical and emotional support

• Operates a 24-bed emergency shelter for women who have been victims of physical, emotional, or sexual abuse, and their children
• Operates a 24-hour crisis support phone line and walk-in crisis service
• Offers long-term and crisis counselling for women who have been victims of sexual assault or abuse both current and historic
• Offers educational groups on topics such as self-esteem, self worth, exploring the cycle of violence, healthy relationships, safety planning, housing, and advocacy
• Offers client referrals for counselling and to government services
• Provides community education and awareness on the issues of abuse
• Provides on site child care for women who are residents of the shelter for court dates, doctors appointments, group sessions
• Offers on site child care for non-resident women during group sessions, Call for information on programs offering this service
• Offers parenting support and counselling sessions
• Offers a Family Court Support Worker Program

Note: A woman does not have to be a resident of the centre to access these services

Operates a 24-bed emergency shelter for women and children who have been affected by abuse and violence
Offers the following services:

• Advocacy
• Assistance in finding housing
• In-House Child Care
• Parenting Skills
• Short and Long-Term Counselling

Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) initiative to assist each Indigenous community to design and deliver their own holistic, prevention-focused services/programs and cultural supports to promote a healthy community and support families as needed in the community

• Focus is on improving the overall health and well-being of communities and to empower families to build healthy relationships
• Works to eliminate family violence, the number of youth involved in the justice system and the number of children in care

Activities and programs provided can include but are not limited to the following:

• Activities that revitalize Native language
• Alcohol and drug abuse prevention and intervention
• Community events such as feasts
• Family circles, counselling and child/youth support groups
• Referrals to other programs and services
• School programs
• Traditional land-based healing events

Helps individuals resolve debt problems and regain financial stability
Services include:

• Bankruptcy
• Budgeting help
• Debt help options
• Debt settlements using consumer proposals
• Financial literacy education

• Provides culturally appropriate programs and services to address needs of elderly Indigenous people with chronic illness and/or any form of disability
• Offers advocacy support between individual and other agencies and organizations
• Organizes outings, activities, education, programming and socialization for clients

Offers the following services:

• Advocacy
• Congregate dining
• Friendly visiting
• Health education
• Indigenous supports
• Medical transportation
• Referrals
• Security checks

• Provides support, education, advocacy and general counselling
• Offers family, relationship, and individual counselling

Counselling service include but are not limited to the following:

• Deaf identity
• Family breakdown
• Grief and loss
• Illness, depression, stress
• Life transitions
• Mental health and addictions
• Relationship difficulties
• Sexual abuse/violence, verbal and physical abuse counselling