Victim Support Services
Our multidisciplinary team is made up of Core Partners and Luna Centre Staff who work together to ensure children, youth and families have the support they need.
Victim Support
Coping with the impact of child abuse is not easy or straightforward. Our Victim Support team offers help, information and referrals to anyone receiving services through Luna.
This team includes coordinators, an Indigenous liaison and volunteer advocates. Together, they:
Liaise with other victim services to make support more accessible
Provide support from first entry to court and afterwards
Ensure families have a clear understanding of our process
Make sure any questions get answered by the appropriate professional
These services are provided for as long as they are needed.
Contact
Child Life
Our Child Life Specialist helps minimize the stress faced by children and families when they visit Luna through the use of:
Therapeutic play
Self-expression activities
Age-appropriate education and medical preparation
The Child Life Specialist meets with children and families as they arrive at Luna and explains what their visit will look like. To help with the explanation, the specialist might use the Luna app or anatomically correct puppets. The Child Life Specialist also works with the support of a team of volunteers, including PALS dogs.
Children are also taught coping strategies that can help reduce their anxiety.
Facility Dogs
Our Facility Dogs, DWW Zoom and DWW Axel, are both accredited and specially trained through Dogs With Wings. They provide support for children and youth during forensic interviews and during court preparation and testimonies. Facility dogs can put children and youth at ease in situations where the young person is required to talk about something difficult. Their job is to help kids feel safe and calm during what is a stressful and difficult experience.
Prenatal Outreach Support Team
Please Note: As of April 1, 2024, the POST Program has transitioned to Kindred. Please reach out to Kindred directly for any inquiries or program supports: 403-233-2360
The Prenatal Outreach Support Team (POST) is dedicated to early intervention and prevention, focusing on the health and safety of vulnerable pregnant persons. The goal is harm reduction and individual empowerment.
Those supported by POST often face complex issues and challenges that prevent them from accessing resources. These include:
Domestic violence
Homelessness
Problematic substance use
Poverty
Social Isolation
Mental-health concerns
The team consists of outreach coordinators, a registered nurse and a police constable. Coordinators provide support and referrals based on the goals of the person served, the POST nurse helps in reducing barriers to accessing prenatal care, and the police officer provides support with concerns related to domestic violence and/or criminal activity.
