For Youth
Child and Youth Service Coordinator
The Child and Youth Service Coordinator is a full-time staff member at Oak Centre whose role is to support you in talking to police or your social worker and to help you stay connected with the supports you need. They will be there when you get to Oak Centre, and help you get comfortable before the interview. Before or after the interview, the Child and Youth Service Coordinator will meet with you to talk about how they can help you. They will provide emotional and practical support, service referrals, and make sure your voice is heard. After your visit to Oak Centre, the Child and Youth Service Coordinator will follow up with you and provide support to you for as long as necessary.
Oak Centre’s Child and Youth Service Coordinator provides support to children and youth aged 18 or younger who have been the victim of a crime or are going to be a witness in court. Oak Centre staff are able to offer emotional support, information, and court updates to you and to attend court as needed. The Child and Youth Service Coordinator is also able to help prepare you for court, assist you in writing a Victim Impact Statement, and help you to access programs such as Crime Victims Assistance Program and Victim Notification. Oak Centre staff are committed to ensuring the rights of children and youth are respected throughout the process.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you still have questions about Oak Centre, or about your interview, we encourage you to call our Child and Youth Service Coordinator at 778-475-2920.
Can I bring someone with me when I come to Oak Centre?
Yes. If you think that having someone there will help you, we encourage you to bring a safe person for support, like a family member, teacher, or counsellor. If you have questions about who to bring with you, call our Child and Youth Service Coordinator who can help you decide.
How long do interviews take?
Usually, interviews take 45-60 minutes, but you will probably be at Oak Centre for about 60-90 minutes. Once the interview is done, you’ll have a chance to talk to the interviewer about the next steps and ask questions.
Who will be interviewing me?
The interviewer may be a member of the RCMP (police) or a social worker. They are specially trained to carefully listen to youth and to follow your direction. You will never have to talk if you don’t want to, can ask for breaks from talking, and can stop the interview at any time. A different police officer or social worker will be watching and recording the interview from another room. The interview will be recorded on video.
Will there be other youth or families at Oak Centre while I’m there?
To respect your privacy, you will be the only client at Oak Centre during your appointment.
What type of help can I get from Oak Centre?
The Child and Youth Service Coordinator is an emotional support for you, and works with you to figure out what practical supports are most needed. If you choose to have us contact you after your first visit, we can continue to provide support as your journey progresses, either over the phone, by text, or in-person. If you choose, Oak Centre staff will also act as a contact with other agencies, making sure everyone involved are keeping your best interest at the center of the case.
As part of our victim assistance program, the Child and Youth Service Coordinator offers emotional support, information, and court updates to you and can attend court with you. The Child and Youth Service Coordinator is able to help prepare you for court, assist you in writing a Victim Impact Statement, and help you to access any service or program you need.
Questions?
If you still have questions about Oak Centre, or about your interview, we encourage you to call our Child and Youth Service Coordinator at 778-475-2920.
