Searching for In-person Crisis Services

On-site early intervention and crisis intervention, needs assessment, safety planning, referrals to community services, enhanced support for vulnerable victims, assistance with applications to VQRP+.

Victim Quick Response Program+ (VQRP+) -- assistance with emergency expenses related to the incident, including home safety, accommodation, meals, transportation, basic necessities, dependent care costs, counselling, traditional Indigenous health services, cellular phones, vision care, dental care, aids for victims with disabilities, interpretation services, crime scene cleanup, government/medical documents and funeral expenses. Additional assistance for victims of human trafficking includes storage locker, tattoo removal, and treatment at a recovery facility. No direct reimbursement to victims for support listed above. Financial support also available for victims who sustained serious physical injuries during a crime and for parents of child homicide victims and spouses of homicide victims.

Project Lifesaver: provides wrist transmitters to individuals who may wander due to cognitive impairment. Suitable for individuals living with Alzheimer's disease, autism, Down syndrome, acquired brain injury (VSW partners with Wellington County OPP and Guelph Police Service).

Spira Fire Victim Relief Fund: financial aid for those experiencing material loss due to a residential fire and are uninsured.

Intake, assessment, referral, wait list registration and appointment booking for mental health, addictions, and crisis services. Service provided through the phone line and drop-in sites.

Service categories include:

• information, assessment and referral
• crisis assessment
• support coordination
• peer / self help
• short-term crisis support beds
• court support and diversion
• community counselling and treatment
• support within housing
• day / evening treatment
• residential treatment
• Assertive Community Treatment Team (ACTT)
• eating disorders
• early psychosis treatment and support services

Crisis services for all people, all genders, who have experienced sexual violence, Human Trafficking and / or domestic violence. May include physical examination, treatment of injuries, medications to prevent sexually transmitted diseases, information on pregnancy, choice of completing the Sexual Assault Evidence Kit.

• Emotional support, trauma counselling, safety planning and follow-up care.

Individuals are seen in a private room by specially trained sexual assault / domestic violence nurses to ensure confidential and sensitive treatment. Police are not called unless the patient indicates this choice.

Note: Guelph General Hospital is the designated sexual assault centre for the region

Short-term, inpatient program to assess and stabilize individuals exhibiting life-threatening and / or self-injurious behaviour related to psychiatric illness or disorders.

On-site early intervention and crisis intervention

• Needs assessment
• Safety planning
• Referrals to community services
• Enhanced support for vulnerable victims
• Assistance with applications to VQRP+

Victim Quick Response Program+ (VQRP+) -- assistance with emergency expenses related to the incident, including home safety, accommodation, meals, transportation, basic necessities, dependent care costs, counselling, traditional Indigenous health services, cellular phones, vision care, dental care, aids for victims with disabilities, interpretation services, crime scene cleanup, government/medical documents and funeral expenses * additional assistance for victims of human trafficking includes storage locker, tattoo removal, and treatment at a recovery facility * no direct reimbursement to victims for support listed above * financial support also available for victims who sustained serious physical injuries during a crime and for parents of child homicide victims and spouses of homicide victims

Policing services related to the preservation of peace, prevention of crime, offences against laws in force in Ontario and criminal laws in Canada, and apprehension of criminals and offenders who may be lawfully taken into custody.

Services include the Wellington County OPP Mobile Crisis Unit that provides immediate crisis response for all calls involving mental health and addictions.

Text to 9-1-1 service available for individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or speech impaired ; cell phone must be registered for T9-1-1 with wireless carrier, then caller dials 9-1-1 (must call, not text) and call will initiate texting capability to communicate emergency messaging via text.

On-site early intervention and crisis intervention

• Needs assessment
• Safety planning
• Referrals to community services
• Enhanced support for vulnerable victims
• Assistance with applications to VQRP+

Victim Quick Response Program+ (VQRP+) -- assistance with emergency expenses related to the incident, including home safety, accommodation, meals, transportation, basic necessities, dependent care costs, counselling, traditional Indigenous health services, cellular phones, vision care, dental care, aids for victims with disabilities, interpretation services, crime scene cleanup, government/medical documents and funeral expenses * additional assistance for victims of human trafficking includes storage locker, tattoo removal, and treatment at a recovery facility * no direct reimbursement to victims for support listed above * financial support also available for victims who sustained serious physical injuries during a crime and for parents of child homicide victims and spouses of homicide victims

On-site early intervention and crisis intervention

• Needs assessment
• Safety planning
• Referrals to community services
• Enhanced support for vulnerable victims
• Assistance with applications to VQRP+

Victim Quick Response Program+ (VQRP+) -- assistance with emergency expenses related to the incident, including home safety, accommodation, meals, transportation, basic necessities, dependent care costs, counselling, traditional Indigenous health services, cellular phones, vision care, dental care, aids for victims with disabilities, interpretation services, crime scene cleanup, government/medical documents and funeral expenses * additional assistance for victims of human trafficking includes storage locker, tattoo removal, and treatment at a recovery facility * no direct reimbursement to victims for support listed above * financial support also available for victims who sustained serious physical injuries during a crime and for parents of child homicide victims and spouses of homicide victims

A program that adds a layer of additional police response to mental health calls and intervention

Two teams join the rotating platoon shifts each day and are specifically available to respond to calls involving people in crisis:

• response teams consist of a registered healthcare professional (registered nurse or social worker) coupled with a specially trained uniformed police officer
• advocate for the person and families in crisis
• ensure mental health assessments are completed
• better equipped to provide resources, help and support for everyone involved

One-on-One supports for coordinating services. Includes personal advocacy, community referrals, assistance with filling out forms, and intervention and supports for people facing homelessness, critical life changes, abuse, or isolation.

Programs directed to children and adolescents experiencing social, emotional and behavioural difficulties. These age-specific programs include office-based individual and family counselling, group therapy, suicide prevention, day treatment, and intensive services

• Office-based counselling provides support to families whose children and youth struggle with mental health concerns, school difficulties, family conflict, divorce, trauma, grief, addictions, behavioural concerns, suicide concerns, suicidal ideation, and general counselling

• Intensive Services are directed toward families of children (0-18 years) * This program offers counselling and support, parenting strategies, consultation, and support to schools, parenting groups, and children's programs

• Tele-Mental Health provides Program Consultations, an Educational Component, and Direct Consultations with Child Psychiatrists throughout Ontario using video conferencing

Provides a comprehensive range of outpatient services to children, youth, adults, and seniors * services include psychiatric consultation and assessment, treatment, community outreach, day programming, bridging support, and community education workshops * referrals are screened and processed by one-Link


Outpatient services for adults:

• Community Support Team (provides long-term case management to enable individuals with severe and persistent mental illnesses to attain self-sufficiency, stability and integration into the community)
• Community Treatment Order (CTO) (allows individuals with severe and persistent mental illness to receive treatment, support and supervision in their own community)
• Concurrent Disorders Program (offers help to individuals who have a concurrent addiction and mental health issue)
• Community Outreach and Support Team (COAST) 1-877-825-9011
• Older Adult Mental Health Clinic (provides assessment, consultation, treatment and follow-up services to older persons with mental health issues, including behavioural and psychological complications associated with neurodegenerative diseases)
• Halton Geriatric Mental Health Outreach Program 905-681-8233
• Mental Health Day Program (six week intensive group program * focused on crisis management, symptom stabilization, education, group and individual counselling and the coordination of resources for follow-up after discharge)
• Medication Clinic (provides long-term medication management for adults diagnosed with serious and persistent psychiatric illnesses)
• Medication Review Clinic (provides short-term psychiatric assessment, treatment initiation and stabilization to individuals who are followed by family physicians in Halton)
• Outpatient Psychotherapy Services (individual and group therapy for individuals experiencing depression and anxiety disorders)
• Phoenix Program, Early Intervention Service for Psychosis (clinical partnership between Joseph Brant Hospital, Halton Healthcare, North Halton Mental Health Clinic, Halton ADAPT and the Schizophrenia Society of Ontario that provides comprehensive clinical services for individuals in their first episode of psychosis)

Outpatient services for children and adolescents

• Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Inpatient Service (CAPIS) Day Hospital (provides assessment, stabilization, and treatment for children and youth, up to the age of 17 years, experiencing acute mental health symptoms)
• Child and Adolescent Clinic (outpatient services offering specialized programming for transitional aged youth, attention deficit disorders, and anxiety)
• Eating Disorders Clinic (provides multidisciplinary consultations, assessment and short-term treatment to meet the needs of adults, children, youth and their family members)
• Navigator Service (provides short term support and case management to children, youth and their families as they navigate through the mental health system and transition to longer term services)
• Phoenix Program, Early Intervention Service for Psychosis 905-845-2571 ext 4800
• Recovery Through Education for Adolescents and Children in Halton (REACH) (provides intensive mental health treatment and education services in a local community high school to prevent hospitalization or to support students as they transition from the inpatient unit into a community setting)

Services and Programs:

• Child and Adolescent Services

Provides immediate crisis response services and counselling to children, youth and their families who are feeling suicidal, hopeless, unable to deal with things, frightened, alone, overwhelmed and out of control. Services include:

• Talk-In Clinic - walk in counselling for immediate problem solving, therapeutic conversations, information and support Talk-in Clinic: Wed 1 pm-7 pm
• crisis intervention and support
• individual and family counselling
• education and support groups
• sexual abuse treatment
• links to other DCAFS services and referrals to community services
• after hours, in-home and office appointments can be arranged

For all programs contact office or visit website.

Calls made to office after hours, weekends and on holidays will be answered by 24hr answering service.

Child, Youth and Parenting

• supportive counselling for parents and families dealing with cultural and inter-generational conflict- culturally and linguistically responsive
• positive parenting strategies and helps families understand the range of supports available
• crisis intervention and risk assessment, system navigational support, linkages to resources for youth and families
• support in areas such as challenges or conflict over social norms, family violence/breakdown, mental health, developmental disability, dealing with anxiety and stress, identifying abusive behaviours and healthy versus unhealthy relationships, coping strategies for families dealing with separation, divorce, co-parenting or parenting in blended families

Community Mental Health Support

• Housing and Support in Peel (HASP) in partnership with Supportive Housing in Peel (SHIP) delivers housing support services to clients residing in SHIP units including case management, service coordination, and person-centred centered support planning
• advocates with landlords, hospitals, psychiatrists
• skills development to improve quality of life, resolve day to day conflicts, manage setbacks and increase independence and housing stability

Family Court Support Services

• support to victims of domestic violence navigating the family court system
• helps clients understand their rights and to make informed decisions on matters related to custody, child support, spousal support, and division of property and assets
• helps clients to understand and navigate court appearances and lawyer appointments; safety planning and risk assessments
• assistance documenting the history of abuse
• court accompaniment where appropriate

ACES Program for Women (Advocacy, Counselling, Empowerment & Safety)

• culturally sensitive counselling for women who are victims of domestic/family violence and abuse
• crisis intervention, counselling, risk assessment, safety planning, transitional support, educational workshops, assistance with legal issues and advocacy, and referrals to community resources
• women's groups to support health and wellness
• support groups for women and children who have witnessed partner abuse through the Helping End Abuse for Life (HEAL) network
• French service through partners OASIS or La Maison d'Hébergement (see separate listing)

Intersections: Support for 2SLGBTQ+ Newcomers

• drop-in, safe space, for settlement information with a 2SLGTBQ+ lens
• private, confidential, one-to-one settlement support
• peer mentoring
• referral to other services
• workshops and information sessions
• resource library, and social activities such as movies, art and crafts
• promotes welcoming communities through community presentations and information sessions

Victim services offering:

• on-site early intervention and crisis intervention
• needs assessment
• safety planning
• referrals to community services
• enhanced support for vulnerable victims
• assistance with applications to VQRP+

Victim Quick Response Program+ (VQRP+) assistance with emergency expenses related to the incident, including home safety, accommodation, meals, transportation, basic necessities, dependent care costs, counselling, traditional Indigenous health services, cellular phones, vision care, dental care, aids for victims with disabilities, interpretation services, crime scene cleanup, government/medical documents and funeral expenses. Additional assistance for victims of human trafficking includes storage locker, tattoo removal, and treatment at a recovery facility. No direct reimbursement to victims for support listed above. Financial support also available for victims who sustained serious physical injuries during a crime and for parents of child homicide victims and spouses of homicide victims.

Call for further information about police and court procedure as well as court monitoring and accompaniment

Immediate crisis telephone counselling

Counsellors are skilled in Brief Solution Focused Therapy and Crisis Intervention to provide the following:

• Crisis Outreach and Support Team (COAST) referrals
• connection to addiction services
• safety and crisis planning
• coping skills and self-soothing management
• referrals and connections to on-going service as required
• Naloxone kits and harm reduction supplies

Counselling, information, referrals, and advocacy support are available to survivors of all genders of child sexual abuse, incest, and sexual assault, as well as their support persons

Immediate support, as well as an accompaniment to hospital, police or court, is available through the 24-hour crisis and support line

Community education and presentations are available to community members and groups upon request

Abuse issues, sexual assault and incest services

• individual counselling
• support and accompaniment
• transitional support

Awareness and prevention of violence against women

• school and community workshops

Community programs (for all francophone women)

• computer courses
• sexual assault prevention in primary and secondary schools
• prevention within the community
• volunteer opportunities

Services for newcomer, immigrant and refugee women
Range of support services for French-speaking immigrant and refugee women, including accompaniment

• Action Femmes social and education group for newly arrived refugee and immigrant women who are feeling isolated

Transitional and Housing Support program
Incudes assistance in finding housing

ÉLAN program
Employment preparation for all francophone women in search of employment

• computer courses
• self-employment and entrepreneurship

Family Court Support Worker Program
Information on the family court process

• assistance in documenting the history of abuse for family court proceedings
• referral to specialized services and supports in the community
• safety planning
• court accompaniment to proceedings when appropriate

Specially trained staff and volunteer crisis responders, who work with HRPS offering crisis intervention, emotional support, practical assistance and community referrals to victims of crime and tragedy throughout Halton Region

Crisis Intervention

• Unit is equipped to respond to crisis situations 24 hours a day, seven days a week, when requested by a police officer
• when called upon, volunteers respond where required and provide immediate assistance to serious incidents involving a broad spectrum of physical/psychological trauma, including:
  • sudden death
  • homicide and suicide
  • assault, including sexual assault
  • domestic violence
  • elder abuse
  • robberies
  • motor vehicle collisions

Victim Quick Response Program

• provides quick limited financial assistance to victims of homicide, attempted murder, serious physical assault, domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, criminal harassment, child abuse and hate crime
• for more information, visit OAK0194

Mobile Tracking System

• a GPS tracking device that acts as a personal alarm for individuals identified as at risk of further violence
• places a priority on victims safety and promotes an improved response to victims

Project Lifesaver

• a program that combines radio technology with a coordinated rapid response to help police locate wandering or missing individuals
• for more information, visit OAK9152

Vulnerable Person Registry

• this service allows a family member and/or caregivers of vulnerable persons to submit critical information to Halton Regional Police Service that may be used during an emergency situation
• for more information, visit OAK0076

A Victim Services Unit office is located in each of the Service's four divisions:

• Halton Hills 10 and 11 Divisions
• Burlington 30 Division
• Milton 12 Division
• Oakville 20 Division

An agency working to end interpersonal violence and abuse by supporting individuals and families who have experienced domestic violence, intimate partner violence, or gender-based violence through the provision of crisis intervention, emergency shelter, transitional support, children's programs, and counselling; and by fostering accountability for those who harm through intervention, counselling, public education, and systemic advocacy


Programs and services include:

• Crisis Line and Emergency Shelter - 33 emergency beds for abused and/or homeless women and children. Open 24/7 providing a safe haven, meals, support, and referrals to community resources

• Transitional Housing: Maria House - 8 residential units for longer-term residential stays for women and children in a setting that combines independent living with counselling and support

• Outreach- services for women wanting to make the transition to independent, violence-free living. Includes safety planning, accompaniment (i.e. to court, lawyer's office), home support, referrals and follow-up

• Counselling Services include:
  • Abuse Recovery Groups (for women 18+)
  • Caring Families (for high conflict families and their children)
  • Children Exposed to Domestic Violence (for children ages 6-16)
  • Mothers in Mind (for mothers and their children ages 0-5)
  • Challenge to Change ( PAR for men and women, SCRIBE for men only)

• Family Court Support - provide support and accompaniment for clients to family court, lawyers appointments and assist in navigating the Family Court system

• Violence Prevention and Community Outreach - presentations/seminars delivered to elementary students, secondary students, post-secondary institutions, service clubs, churches, businesses and other groups on such topics as domestic violence, teen dating violence, sexual harassment and healthy relationships

• Partner Assault Response (PAR) 12-week group education and counselling program on domestic violence and non-abusive ways of resolving conflict
• victims/partners of the offender provided with support including safety planning, referrals to community resources, and information on offender's progress

• Volunteer Program - volunteers play a major role in fundraising and assisting staff with programs and services. Positions include Shelter Assistant, Emergency Child care Provider, Volunteer Driver, Housing and Employment Assistant, Tutor, Special Events Volunteer, Receptionist. Skilled volunteers also offer services such as massage therapy, yoga, and hairdressing on a regular basis to residential clients
  
  
  
• Closet Couture Boutique - social enterprise - high end second hand women's clothing

Indigenous support centre providing advocacy, social, cultural and educational programming

Programs include:

• Criminal Court Worker - assists offenders to better understand their rights, options, and responsibilities when appearing before the court. Assists adults and youth charged with criminal offenses to navigate the court processes
• Combined Court Worker - helps navigate Indigenous youth, adults, and families through criminal court, family court and child services
• Indigenous Healing and Wellness - assists individuals to access services, provide crisis intervention, offers traditional supports, provides peer counselling to community members impacted by violence. Services are available on a one-to-one basis or in a group setting

  This program is currently on hold

• Cultural Resource Coordinator - provides access to cultural knowledge by fostering positive Indigenous identity essential to well being and resilience. Services are culturally reflective and prevention-focused, with a focus on maintaining cultural connections to identity, knowledge, traditions, ceremonies, education, training, and traditional support
• Apatisiwin Program Worker - provides services to youth and adults in employment counselling, job preparations (application processing, resume/cover letter assistance, referrals to agencies, etc), purchase of training, apprenticeship skills training, and training supports

  This program is currently on hold

• Pandemic Relief Worker - provides services to individuals/families who are currently positive for Covid-19 or in insolation due to suspected exposure
• Mental Health and Wellness Coordinator - provides a holistic and positive approach to support the needs of mental health and addictions for Indigenous people and their families. Implements programs to improve the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of both clients and their families that are culturally based and foster the learning of self-respect and identity
• Mental Health Peer Support Coordinator - provides networks of support and mentorship to Urban Indigenous people under community supervision orders as they seek to improve their mental health, reduce any harms associated with their behaviours, avoid justice system recidivism, and pursue a Good Mind

  This program is currently on hold

Diagnostic and treatment services for people who have acute life-threatening injuries or severe illnesses

Additional Services:

Psychiatric Emergency Services - Emergency assessments by a team of nurse case managers, psychiatrists and residents

• works in collaboration with community partners, including mental health agencies and family physicians
• family physicians and/or ER physicians are involved in the initial stages of the assessment process
• this program is involved in clinical research related to the assessment and reduction of return ER visits

Sexual Assault and Partner Abuse Care Program - Specialized healthcare for men, women and children who have experienced sexual assault and/or domestic violence

Outpatient services

Services include:

• Crisis Counselling - 5 session maximum
• Early Intervention Program
• Early Psychosis Intervention program
• Medication Clinic
• Acute Day Treatment - 6-week program

Sexual Assault / Domestic Violence Care Team provides care to survivors to help meet their health, emotional and social needs

Services include:

• specialized, specially trained, healthcare team of nurses
• collection of forensic evidence
• crisis intervention
• documentation and photographs
• physical examination and treatment of injuries
• testing and prophylaxis for sexually transmitted infections (STI), pregnancy and HIV
• referrals to community agencies for counselling
• no charge for any services or medication

Urgent medical care

• doctors and nurses assess and treat non-life-threatening injuries or illnesses that cannot wait for a family doctor

On-site diagnostics include x-rays, ultrasounds, and laboratory tests

• referral to other on-site specialty diagnostic and treatment services