Pathways | Child & Youth Advocacy Centre (CYAC) of Kelowna

Child & Youth Advocacy Centre (CYAC) of Kelowna - For Victims of Child Abuse

Abuse / Neglect, Advocacy, Family / Parenting, Legal, Mental Health - Child & Youth, Services for Children, and Victim Services

Provided by Child & Youth Advocacy Centre (CYAC)

Provides a variety of services for children who have suffered from abuse and neglect.

The Child & Youth Advocacy Centre (CYAC) is a not-for-profit organization that brings together a team of highly skilled professionals to collaborate on cases, implement strategies to prevent re-victimization, and support the long-term well-being of children and non-offending caregivers.

Programs and services offered include:

Child and Family Advocacy Program: Offers support services to children and non-offending family members involved in child abuse investigations. It provides immediate and ongoing advocacy, resources, and referrals, ensuring that the child's needs are prioritized and the family has a trusted ally throughout the investigative and healing process. The program also coordinates services among multiple agencies, enhancing communication and reducing trauma by giving families a clear understanding and voice in the process.
Emergency Services Response Program: Provides immediate, customized support for children and families experiencing trauma from abuse, especially when financial resources are lacking and all other options have been exhausted. It addresses urgent needs that disrupt daily functioning or pose safety and health risks, ensuring timely access to necessities to reduce long-term consequences of trauma. This program works through the multi-disciplinary team to assess and respond quickly with appropriate resources, focusing on active clients within the center's care.
Multi-Disciplinary Response Program: Provides a coordinated, child-centric approach to addressing child abuse by bringing together multiple agencies in a single, child-friendly environment. This program enhances collaboration and communication among service providers, reduces wait and processing times for investigations, and creates clear support pathways for children, youth, and their families. Its goal is to disrupt the cycle of abuse by offering efficient wrap-around support that promotes healing and prevention in the community.
Resilient Families Health & Wellness Program: The Resilient Families Program provides timely, trauma-informed counselling to children and their non-offending caregivers to support healing and build resilience. It offers evidence-based therapies to prevent long-term negative effects of trauma. The program also supports caregivers with skills and resources to foster healthy development.
Building Brighter Futures Education Program: Educates and empowers the community to prevent child abuse through training, awareness, and resource development. It focuses on equipping social service providers and the public to recognize and respond to signs of abuse. The program aims to create a safer, more informed community to ultimately reduce the occurrence of child abuse.