🚨 Big news for Olds! 🚨 Chinook Arch Victim Services is closing this fall, with a new regional system taking over. 🙁🔄 #Olds #Alberta #VictimServices #CommunitySupport
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Changes Loom for Victim Support Services in Olds and Surrounding Areas
As fall approaches, residents of Olds, Didsbury, and Sundre face a significant shift in local victim support services. After nearly 25 years of dedicated service, the Chinook Arch Victim Services Society (CAVSS) will be shutting down by the end of September. This change will affect how victims of crime and tragedy receive assistance in the region.
Transition to New Regional Systems
CAVSS has been a cornerstone in supporting victims, working closely with the Olds, Didsbury, and Sundre RCMP detachments. Its services have ranged from helping victims navigate the complexities of the court system to offering crucial support like emergency shelter for those displaced by events such as fires or domestic violence.
Starting October, CAVSS and other similar victim services societies across Alberta will be replaced by four new regional “superboards.” The Southern Alberta Regional Victim Serving Society will take over the responsibilities in Olds and its surrounding communities.
Miranda Dulmage, chair of the CAVSS board, and Rhonda Kerns, the executive director, addressed the Olds town council earlier this year. They underscored the vital role CAVSS has played and expressed concerns about how the new superboards might handle these responsibilities. The council recognized the importance of CAVSS’s work and committed to advocating for continued support.
Concerns About Service Continuity
A key concern is whether the new regional boards will maintain the same level of service that CAVSS has provided. For instance, CAVSS has used service dog Carter to support victims, particularly children, affected by crime and trauma. Dulmage indicated that the new boards might not fund such specialized support, raising worries about the future of these valuable services.
In an email, Dulmage mentioned that none of CAVSS’s three program staff members plan to stay on with the new regional board. This has left the organization in a difficult position as it prepares to close its doors. While CAVSS will continue operations until the end of September, details about the transition and future support for clients remain unclear.
Financial Strains and Difficult Decisions
Earlier this year, CAVSS discovered that much of its fundraising money, earmarked for essential services like housing and supplies for victims, had been depleted. This has forced the organization into making tough choices about its remaining resources. The decision now is whether to prioritize ongoing support for victims or to continue the dog service for as long as possible.
The financial strain and impending closure have caused considerable stress among CAVSS’s frontline staff. They face the challenge of informing clients that the level of support they once relied on will no longer be available. This situation has led to significant moral and ethical concerns within the victim service community.
Government's Response
In response to these changes, the Alberta government has assured that it remains committed to providing essential support for victims of crime and tragedy. Arthur C. Green, press secretary for the public safety and emergency services ministry, explained that the move to a regional governance model aims to improve services, particularly for smaller and rural communities that previously lacked victim support.
The new model will introduce centralized professional support staff within each region to assist frontline employees and enhance collaboration. However, Green confirmed that the new system will not include a province-wide service dog program at this time. Nonetheless, there may be opportunities for such programs to be incorporated in the future.
To ensure a smooth transition, current victim service units will continue to receive grant funding through September. Full operations under the new regional societies are set to begin in October.
Looking Ahead
As the region prepares for these changes, the community's support for its victim services will be more crucial than ever. The shift to a new system promises improved organization and potentially broader coverage for rural areas, but it also brings uncertainty about the continuation of specific services that have been crucial to many lives.
For now, residents and former clients of CAVSS must navigate this period of transition, hopeful that the new regional boards will build on the strong foundation laid by organizations like CAVSS. The commitment to providing effective and compassionate support to those in need will remain a top priority for all involved as they adapt to this new chapter in victim services.