Smart Update (Consent Agenda) For the Meeting of WRCPC on September 14, 2018
The Consent Agenda is published on a bi-monthly basis. Please review this report before meetings.
Any Council member has the right to “pull” an item from the Consent Agenda and add it to the regular agenda for discussion, comment, or clarification. Approved consent agendas are published on the Council’s website along with approved minutes. Consent Agendas are selective, not comprehensive. Whenever possible, Consent Agenda items reflect the key approaches of the Smart on Crime 2015-2018 plan designed to accomplish three overarching Council directions.
Youth: Unleashing the Potential of ALL Youth Neighbourhoods: Building Local Capacity for Change Smart on Crime: Advancing the Momentum
Through four strategic approaches:
1. Expand Reach through Understanding and Engagement
The Friends of Crime Prevention (FCP) hosted two Porch Chats this summer. The first on July 25: EXPLORING SPIRITUALITY encouraged discussions about “the beauty in our differences and the tapestry we weave together”. Twenty-seven people attended the chat on a beautiful evening in the memory garden at the Governor’s house. On Wed Aug 29th, thirty-nine people attended TRANSITIONS: a Human Book Club featuring three powerful stories of transition: one from homelessness, one from a refugee situation and one from prison. An illustrator captured each story's book cover. This event generated some great media coverage.
Staff from Employment and Income Support (EIS) division of Region of Waterloo’s Community Services invited WRCPC staff to share with them knowledge regarding shifting upstream. The meeting served to inform a project by EIS focused on reframing approaches to fraud prevention. This opportunity also helped to explore how the upstream knowledge developed by WRCPC can be translated into concrete actions.
Following WRCPC’s presentation on shifting upstream at the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police conference in May, Health and Emergency Services staff from County of Simcoe contacted WRCPC to request a follow-up meeting to continue to discuss the prevention–related knowledge. A representative from Simcoe visited the WRCPC
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office in July and is currently working on integrating the knowledge into a reference document that will inform Simcoe county’s community safety and well-being plan. Upstream Prevention Campaign: WRCPC continues its work in championing evidence based approaches that address the deep-rooted social conditions that give rise to crime and victimization through pushing conversations further upstream. In particular, a small committee of WRCPC Council members and community stakeholders have enlisted the support of a communication consultant to help develop an Upstream Prevention Mobilization. The hope is to have the campaign completed by the end of the year, with a planned roll out in 2019.
WRCPC is in the process of applying for a grant from Health Canada (Substance Use and Addictions Program). The priority areas for the grant are Prevention, Treatment, and Harm Reduction. If successful, a comprehensive Scoping Review and identifying pilot neighborhoods for the Waterloo Region Youth Engagement strategy (WR-YES) would begin sooner rather than later. This developmental phase also includes the establishment of a Youth Reference Group to help steer the overall strategy as well as hosting several Youth Summits. The purpose of the Youth Summits would be to ensure that youth that are furthest away from opportunities have their voice heard. WRCPC is working in partnership with University of Waterloo in developing the grant application. Earlier in the summer, a consultation forum in Cambridge led to the early stages of forming a steering group. A Waterloo Region Youth Engagement Strategy (WR-YES) report was included in the consent agenda for the Region of Waterloo Community Services Committee in August. The report provided an update on activities of the WR – YES, including a comprehensive evidence review. The Region’s strategic plan includes an objective to develop a strategy for reaching hard to reach youth for which WRCPC is responsible. Please see copy of report attached. The WRCPC’s drug related work formed the basis for Canada’s Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act. In 2017, WRCPC and the Canadian HIV/Aids Legal Network released supporting print materials to highlight the scope of the Act. Together these partners will release a film and public service announcement in the fall. A report will be shared with the Region of Waterloo Community Services Committee on October 02, 2018.
WRCPC staff Julie Thompson was privileged to share a canoe with 2 -12 year old campers from Dibaajimo-Taa "Let's Tell a Story" Camp -WLU at the AUG 16 Truth and Reconciliation – Leading the Way canoe trip and feast. This event is annual and this year was hosted by The Healing of The Seven Generations. Each Paddler was able to choose a beautifully hand painted paddle to remember their journey. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/kitchener-waterloo/paddlers-take-to-the-grand-in-the- name-of-reconciliation-1.4787662
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2. Base Change in Good Evidence and Innovation:
The Cannabis Working Group of WRCPC will share their report with the Region of Waterloo Community Services Committee on October 02, 2018. The report highlights the need for investment in upstream prevention efforts.
During July and August, the evaluation of WRCPC’s 2015-2018 Smart on Crime Community Plan, carried out by Laurier’s Centre for Community Research, Learning, and Action (CCRLA), focused on collecting of “most significant change stories”. The stories will help to illustrate some of the impacts (direct or indirect) that WRCPC has had in the community since the start of the plan in 2015. Members of the Council will have an opportunity to share their stories at the 2018 retreat. An evaluation committee is currently being developed to assist with the analysis of stories, which will take place this fall.
3. Lead side by side - leverage dynamic partnerships:
WRCPC celebrated with CJI, and the women and staff of GVI the 20th Anniversary of the Stride Program.
A consultation to support Public Health Ontario’s Scoping Review for Community-based Opioid Strategies was hosted in Toronto in July. The WRCPC has been supporting this effort since 2017. The final report providing guidance for municipalities, health units and others on effective community based strategies for preventing and/or reducing opioid related harms will be released in the fall.
Felix Munger and Christiane Sadeler presented about the work of WRCPC and the CMNCP at the German Prevention congress in Dresden. The presentation was very well received. Felix and Christiane were interviewed about the work and both featured on the prevention website. The congress is attended by over 1000 participants each year.
4. Advocate for Equity and Belonging. Reduce Marginalization and Discrimination:
The Breaking the Silence committee has set the date for a third (and final) A Place Called Safe event in Cambridge for the evening of Oct 18, 2018 at 6:30-8:30. It will be held at the Idea Exchange - Queen’s Square (1 North Square, Cambridge).The focus of the event is to share results of the Outlook Study and to have a conversation with members of the LGBTQ2+ community and allies about where there are safe spaces in Waterloo Region and what about those spaces make them safe. Please post invitations at your organization.
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WRCPC staff took Waterloo Well-Being Surveys into Grand Valley Institution for Women (GVI) thanks to the support of Warden Liz Vitek and her staff. Over 80 surveys were completed. Many women expressed pride about the ways that they contribute to their community from inside of GVI. On a fun note, two of the women from GVI won prizes from the random survey draw.
WRCPC is working alongside Waterloo Region District School Board, African, Caribbean, and Black (ACB) students as well a number of ACB community groups and leaders in planning a conference with the title: Black Brilliance - Redefining the Colour Excellence Conference. The conference will take place on November 30th. The conference is developed by ACB student leaders along with adult allies. It will feature keynote speaker Dr. Eugenia Duodu (Executive Director- Visions of Science), workshops, and mentorship sessions. In preparation for the conference, the ACB students created a digital story that allowed them to speak to their experience of being Black in high school. The video was well received and generated many ideas on how it can be used to amplify the students’ voices.
WRCPC staff Rohan Thompson participated as one of the panelists reflecting on what we need to do in order to deepen community during Wellbeing Waterloo Region’s forum held in June. The forum served to gather input into actions related to social inclusion.
The preparations for the production for Chelsea’s Life (A play about human sex trafficking in partnership with SASC and the Registry theatre are well under way). As time progresses WRCPC will be responsible for outreach and education and will be looking for volunteers.
Media:
CBC Ontario Morning - Monday September 3, https://www.cbc.ca/listen/shows/ontario- morning-from-cbc-radio/episode/15590818
CBC KW Morning Edition: Sept 4th - More than a kid thing: grown-ups share their stories of transition three people from Waterloo region share how they struggled through change. Lucky for us, the Region's Friends of Crime Prevention recently hosted a human book club event, featuring three stories of people struggling through change. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/kitchener-waterloo/these-3-people-made-it- through-a-refugee-camp-prison-and-homelessness-here-s-how-1.4807038 CBC KW Morning Edition Wed Aug 29th Duff talks about making the move from being homeless to being housed http://www.cbc.ca/listen/shows/the-morning-edition-k-w
CBC outlets across Canada – Staff Michael Parkinson provided commentary on the national Opioid Summit to 14 CBC radio outlets. Almost all drug-related media requests Document Number: 2624417 Page 4 of 6
to WRCPC as well as related speaking requests are being declined but the transition needs to balance attention to new directions with safe guarding long-standing relationships.
Global National News – July 18 - Are opioid deaths reducing our average life expectancy? Canada now investigating
5. Community Corner:
In this section, you can find information about community opportunities as well as key items of information related to the work of WRCPC and its partners.
Canadian Substance Use infographic: http://www.ccdus.ca/Resource%20Library/CSUCH-Canadian-Substance-Use-Costs- Harms-Infographic-2018-en.pdf
The Waterloo Regional Police Service will be hosting two one-day seminars on Understanding the Neurobiology of Trauma, presented by Dr. Lori Haskell, Clinical Psychologist. The first seminar will be on September 26th and second on October 16th, 2018. Both seminars will be held at the Waterloo Region Emergency Services Training and Research Centre, 1001 Erbs Road, Waterloo, Gate 3 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The cost for each seminar is $75. For registration information and deadlines please contact Marlene McConnell, Administrative Assistant, Professional Development, Training and Education, Waterloo Regional Police Service 519-570-9777 ext. 6407.
A Family Violence Prevention poster presentation will take place on Friday September 28th, 2018 at 1:15 p.m. Lori Snyder MacGregor (Public Health) and Lisa Medeiros, the DART Health Engagement Task Force Co-Chairs will be co-presenting at the International Nursing Network to End Violence. The material was co-developed with WRCPC. Please find the link to the registration information https://www.nnvawi.org/pages/2018-Registration-Information.cfm
Family & Children's Services of Waterloo - Annual Report is now available. https://www.facswaterloo.org/assets/documents/subfolder/AGMCalendar-June2018- May2019-ReducedSize.pdf
oneROOF Youth Services is excited to kick-off their new "Host Homes" - a shelter diversion strategy. This program works with young people ages 16-25 who are newer to the emergency shelter system, in combination with local households to facilitate a temporary room and board situation. Participating households or "Host Home Providers" will go through a screening process, receive training and opportunities for certification in NVCI, as well as light remuneration during their participation. Participating youth will go through a screening process to ensure safety, fit and suitable supports. Stays are meant to last anywhere from one week to 60 days. For more information call Rachel or Davin at (519)742-2788 ex. 7, or visit http://www.oneroof.org/host-homes/. Document Number: 2624417 Page 5 of 6
Lutherwood’s 2018 Community Report is available: https://www.lutherwood.ca/community- report/2018
Carizon family and community services workshops can be accessed here: https://www.carizon.ca/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Fall-Workshops-2018.pdf as well as fall counselling groups: https://www.carizon.ca/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Fall- Groups-2018-v2.pdf
The Friends of the Governor’s House & Gaol invite to a gathering around the historic stone walls of the Waterloo County Gaol Garden for live music and refreshments as a kick-off event for Doors Open Waterloo Region on Friday, September 14th, 2018 from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at 73-77 Queen Street North, Kitchener, Ontario. Guests are invited to celebrate the Four Season Garden and recent addition of four transformed original gaol cell doors, site's restoration and the creation of the garden, all of which are a watershed accomplishment in local heritage conservation. The Governor’s Sinfonietta will serenade the gathering with music throughout the evening celebrating multiple milestones including the 40th anniversary of the Governor’s House
6. What is up in the WRCPC office?
We would like to thank Katie Cook who ended her three months contract with us at the WRCPC office for her many research contributions during her brief tenure and wish her well as she transitions back into completing her PHD. The writing of this report was interrupted by a visit from past chair Chris Cowie showing of his newest addition to the Cowie family. We welcome interruptions!
Respectfully submitted,
Christiane Sadeler, Executive Director, 11/09/2018
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