Court & Support Navigator

**About Us**

The Western Alberta Regional Victim Serving Society (RVSS) provides a broad range of services under the _Victims of Crime and Public Safety Act _and _Regulation, _and in partnership with the Government of Alberta (GoA), the Alberta RCMP, specialized and community-based victim serving organizations, municipalities, and other local agencies.

The RVSS assists victims of crime throughout the criminal justice process by providing the core services of information, support, and referrals. The RVSS also supports communities by providing resources and support to people undergoing loss and tragic circumstances.

Service delivery is responsive to the needs, concerns, and priorities of clients of the program.

**Roles and Responsibilities**

Reporting to the Assistant Director of Operations, the Court and Support Navigator provides front-line services to victims of crime in cooperation with police agency partners including police-based support, Victims Assistance Program support, court navigation support, case management, education and advocacy. The Court and Support Navigator provides information, referrals, and support to victims under the _Victims of Crime and Public Safety Act_ and _Regulation, _and the Victims of Crime Protocol.

Court and Support Navigators are an integral part of the front-line services team and work to ensure victims are supported in a timely and effective manner.

Duties of this position include:
Integral member of the front-line services team:

- Work effectively with team members to execute the RVSS’s mission, mandate, and service delivery goals.
- Contribute to team meetings and discussions; provide advice, interpretation, and input into operational policies and procedures.
- Be aware of and comply with all governing legislation, regulations, industry standards, and codes, and organizational policies (e.g., Victims of Crime Protocol and Roles and Responsibilities documents), and procedures of the RVSS and partner agencies (e.g., RCMP, GoA, etc.), as applicable.
- Raise concerns and issues of clients and partners to the Director of Regional Operations; resolve problems by analyzing and advising on policies, procedures, and technology aimed at improving service delivery.
- Provide ongoing mentorship, and guidance to new front-line team members and volunteer advocates.

Provision of Information, Support and Referrals to Victims of Crime:

- Provide immediate emotional and practical support to victims of crime to mitigate trauma.
- Support victims of crime in navigating the criminal justice system.
- Provide information on the rights and responsibilities of victims in the criminal justice system (e.g., court attendance, Restitution, Victim Impact Statements and Community Impact statements).
- Provide referrals to appropriate community and government support services.
- Follow up with clients not involved in the criminal justice system to ensure that they are aware of available supports and services.

Police-Based Support:

- Support RCMP response by helping individuals referred to Victim Services mitigate immediate distress.
- Provide in-person crisis intervention (on-scene, virtually, or at an approved service delivery location).
- Provide ongoing trauma-informed support to victims during the investigative process (e.g., Clare’s Law disclosure).

Victims Assistance Program (VAP) Support:

- Provide information to victims on the Victims Assistance Program including:

- Emergency Assistance and Support;
- Crisis Counselling and Transitional Counselling Services;
- Court Attendance Reimbursement;
- Funeral Expense Reimbursement;
- Serious Injury Supports and Services; and
- Third Option.
- Facilitate e-transfer and pre-paid debit card deployment, and complete reporting requirements.

Court Navigation Support:

- Provide navigation support to victims before, during and after court proceedings.
- Provide information to victims on the court process (e.g., court dates, schedule changes and outcomes).
- Work with Crown Prosecutors and other agencies to educate, assist, and support victims during the criminal court process.
- Facilitate court orientation, court accompaniment and related support requests (e.g., testimonial aids).
- Educate victims on Victim Impact Statements and Community Impact Statements and facilitate submission to the courts, if required.

Case Management:

- Conduct needs assessments with assigned caseload of victims, with an emphasis on trauma-informed care.
- Support and record victim safety plans, (as developed by the RCMP), with an awareness of local resources and supports.
- Ensure all interactions with victims are fully and accurately documented.
- Follow-up with victims, as required, to ensure awareness of next steps.
- Maintain adequate and accurate statistical data for ongoing program evaluation.
- Update and maintain victim files in the Case Management System.

Education and Advocacy:

- Engage in community outreach activities to assist the RVSS in buil