Cochrane and Area Victim Services (CAVS) has made the case to council that its resources are under more pressure to keep up with an increasing demand for services.
Staff and board members delivered a compelling presentation to council on Monday night highlighting the spectrum of its services adding Victim Services is struggling to keep pace with the town’s growth.
“Trauma is unpredictable and there is no warning,” said executive director Jennifer Sachkiw, adding that if the full request of $60,000 from the 2018 town budget is not granted, Victim Services will have to look at which essential services to scale back on; this increase is up $10,000 from last year.
As suicide and next of kin notifications are not currently part of the main funding source, the Solicitor General, “CAVS would have to look at the support provided to these two main areas of our program,” according to Sachkiw.
CAVS works with the RCMP and surrounding municipalities to provided crisis response and victim support for victims of crime through intervention and prevention services.
Corp. Troy Savinkoff from the Cochrane RCMP detachment was present at Monday night council to provide support for the organization that works hand-in-hand with the RCMP and “saves members countless man hours.”
Savinkoff said among the support provided to RCMP, CAVS helps with victim impact statements, financial applications, support during the court process and follow-ups.
“If our organization didn’t fill this role, these tasks would fall on the shoulders of the RCMP,” explained program co-ordinator Kathryn McMackin.
“On top of fighting crime, Mounties would also be following up on court appearances, walking victims through applications, spending half a day in Calgary supporting a woman through a protection order review, or preparing a witness for trial. That’s adding hours and hours of work to an already busy day responding to calls and keeping our community safe.
More than 40 per cent of CAVS cases are domestic violence.
This year, CAVS has to date received 700 new files and the biggest jump from 2016 is an increase in ongoing files, up to 950 from 800 in 2016, according to Sachkiw.
Ongoing files refers to chart files that are going through the court process and often require more in-depth support, court prep and time.
The growth in service demand is largely attributed to a fluctuating economy and the town’s growth.
Mayor Jeff Genung highlighted the need for more public awareness, given that most of Victim Services file referrals come from the RCMP, although people can also access CAVS services on their own.
According to program co-ordinator Lauren Delahunt, “CAVS has opened approximately 700 new cases this year, but has provided support, either directly or indirectly, to more than 1,200 people.”
One case can refer to one or several individuals. An in-depth file such as a homicide case may result in a handful of people requiring support.
Coun. Susan Flowers inquired about CAVS-led fundraising initiatives.
Brenda Sine, president of the board, said a casino is planned for April 2018 and the board is currently reviewing needs and setting goals, ahead of finalizing other fundraising initiatives.
Primarily funded by the Solicitor General, CAVS also receives financial support through grants and fundraising, and municipalities including Cochrane, the MD of Bighorn and Rocky View County.
Coverage extends to Morley, Bragg Creek, Redwood Meadows, Springbank, Bearspaw, Glendale, Bottrel and surrounding areas. All services are free and confidential.
The organization was successful in its request last year for council to double its contributions to $50,000 from $25,000 in the 2017 budget.
This was based on evidence that demand for services was up 25 per cent in 2016 from 2015 and this year’s presentation indicates demand continues to climb.
CAVS is one of three groups asking for an increase in operating grants from the 2018 town budget, which is currently flagged to produce a 4.45 tax per cent increase but expecting to fall slightly.
The Rockyview Handibus Society is requesting an increase of $21,187 and the Cochrane Public Library is asking for additional $66,177. Both maintain that they are majorly under funded on a per capita basis when compared to other municipalities in the province.
