AVA Women’s and Girls’ Health Hub has created an inventory of promising and effective programs (e.g., interventions, solutions) for girls, women, and gender-diverse people, including those who live in remote, rural, or difficult-to-access areas. Select the province or territory of interest below to see programs in that area.
Programs in the IPPI are assigned an evidence grade using the GRADE (Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation) framework, including the Evidence-to-Decision (EtD) approach (Alonso-Coello et al., 2016; Alonso-Coello et al., 2018; Moberg et al., 2018). Levels range from Level 1 (strongest evidence, such as meta-analyses or large randomized controlled trials) to Level 4 (pilot studies, uncontrolled trials, or expert opinion). This grading approach provides a clear indication of the strength of research supporting each program.
| Level | Criteria |
|---|---|
| 1 | Meta-analysis with narrow confidence interval or replicated double-blind RCT that includes a placebo or active comparison condition (n ≥ 30 in each active treatment arm). |
| 2 | Meta-analysis with wide confidence interval or 1 double-blind (not for psychotherapy) RCT with a placebo or active comparison condition (n ≥ 30 in each active treatment arm). |
| 3 | At least 1 double-blind RCT with placebo or active comparison condition (n = 10 to 29 in each active treatment arm) or health system administrative data. |
| 4 | Pilot study (RCT with n < 10 in each active treatment arm), uncontrolled trial, anecdotal reports, or expert opinion. |
| Image | Agency | Program | Description | Evidence Grade | Location | Contact Info |
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Calgary Communities Against Sexual Abuse | Sexual Assault and Responding to Disclosures | This program explores the realities and complexities of sexual violence, providing skills to offer positive and supportive messaging to those impacted. | 4 | Calgary |  |
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Calgary Communities Against Sexual Abuse | Child Sexual Abuse and Responding to Disclosures | This session educates participants on child sexual abuse, effective response strategies, and the importance of supportive reactions to disclosures. | 3 | Calgary | |
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Calgary Communities Against Sexual Abuse | Sexual Violence and Anti-Oppressive Practice | This workshop examines the root causes of sexual violence through an anti-oppressive lens, involving discussions on the intersection of sexual violence and oppression. | 4 | Calgary | |
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Calgary Communities Against Sexual Abuse | Intimate Partner Sexual Violence | This session delves into the impacts and complexities of sexual violence within intimate relationships, offering tools for providing supportive and empathetic responses. | 2 | Calgary | |
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Calgary Communities Against Sexual Abuse | Men and Sexual Violence | Aimed at fostering conversations about men and masculinity, this workshop explores societal expectations and their intersection with sexual violence and rape culture. | 2 | Calgary | |
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Calgary Communities Against Sexual Abuse | Rethinking Prevention | This workshop challenges traditional “safety tips” and focuses on effective strategies for true sexual violence prevention. | 3 | Calgary | |
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Calgary Communities Against Sexual Abuse | Reading with Children | Utilizing carefully selected books, this workshop teaches how to discuss sexual violence and bodily autonomy with children. | 4 | Calgary | |
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Calgary Communities Against Sexual Abuse | Who Do You Tell? | This program is designed to educate children and youth on personal safety and sexual abuse prevention. | 1 | Calgary | |
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Calgary Communities Against Sexual Abuse | Birch Grove Programming | Birch Grove offers specialized programs focusing on trauma-informed care and support for individuals affected by sexual violence. | 4 | Calgary | |
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Dragonfly Centre | Sexual Violence Counselling | The Sexual Violence Counselling program addresses the growing demand for in-person support in rural, remote, Indigenous, and northern communities. | 2 | Bonnyville | |
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Dragonfly Centre | Child, Youth & Family Programming | This program focuses on supporting children, youth, and their families who are impacted by sexual violence. | 1 | Bonnyville | |
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Dragonfly Centre | Client Services | The Client Services program enhances survivor support by improving response protocols, strengthening collaboration with partner agencies, and offering direct assistance through crisis intervention, legal advocacy, and systems navigation. | 4 | Bonnyville | |
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Dragonfly Centre | Partnerships to Support Counselling in Communities, First Nations, and Métis Settlements | Dragonfly has expanded its counselling clinics to First Nations, Métis Settlements, and rural school divisions, offering accessible, in-community support for individuals and families impacted by sexual violence. | 4 | Bonnyville | |
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Dragonfly Centre | Rural Response to Sexual Abuse (RRSA) Training | The Rural Response to Sexual Abuse (RRSA) Training equips participants with the knowledge and skills to support survivors of sexual abuse, sexual assault, child sexual abuse, and sex trafficking in rural and remote communities. | 4 | Bonnyville | |
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Dragonfly Centre | Recognizing, Responding and Reporting Abuse, Understanding Sexual Violence and Older Adults | Recognizing, Responding, and Reporting Abuse program is designed for teachers, school administrators, and frontline staff in child-serving organizations to enhance their ability to protect children from abuse. | 4 | Bonnyville | |
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Dragonfly Centre | Pride in Healing | Pride in Healing equips professionals with culturally responsive, trauma-informed strategies to support LGBTQ+ survivors of sexual violence, emphasizing intersectionality, legal protections, ethics, and self-care. | 4 | Bonnyville | |
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A Safe Place | Community Outreach Program | The Community Outreach program provides personalized emotional support, practical assistance, and advocacy to people in Strathcona County affected by domestic violence and those supporting them, helping them navigate the complexities of abuse. | 1 | Sherwood Park/Strathcona County | |
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A Safe Place | Connections Program | The Connections Program is an in-house health and wellness transition hub for youth who are moving out of the child welfare system. | 1 | Sherwood Park/Strathcona County | |
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Starlings Community Inc. | Starlings Peer Empowerment Mentorship | Starlings Peer Empowerment Mentorship supports youth with parents affected by substance use disorders through mentorship, self-paced modules, and a storytelling-focused workbook. | 3 | Calgary | |
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Calgary Urban Project Society | Family and Child Development Program | The Family and Child Development program helps families meet developmental milestones by building parents’ skills to support their own mental health and their child’s well-being. | 3 | Calgary | |
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Calgary Urban Project Society | Community Development Program | The Community Development program offers housing units and resources, ensuring safe living conditions. | 3 | Calgary | |
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Children's Cottage Society | Early Years Family Support | Early Years Family Support helps families strengthen parenting, child development, and well-being, offering guidance for stress, mental health, and economic challenges. | 4 | Calgary | |
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Children's Cottage Society | Nurturing Newborns Program | The Nurturing Newborns program provides in-home respite care for parents with infants (newborn to six months). | 4 | Calgary | |
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Stardale Women's Group | The Stardale Model | The Stardale Model is a 14-week program that equips women with tools for personal growth while addressing abuse and violence. | 4 | Calgary | |
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Hull Services | Mountainside Program | The Mountainside program is a trauma informed campus based program aiding children and youth through behavioral and emotional challenges. | 1 | Calgary | |
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Hull Services | Resilient Families Program | The Resilient Families program provides short-term, intensive support to families experiencing parenting challenges. | 1 | Calgary | |
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HomeFront | Specialized Case Management | Specialized Case Management provides clients with support and facilitates safety assessments and regular check-ins on the clients safety. | 4 | Calgary | |
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HomeFront | Indigenous Initiatives: HomeFront | Indigenous Initiatives: HomeFront partners with Indigenous communities on preventative and intervention strategies for domestic violence, including the Calgary Indigenous Court and urban safety programs. | 4 | Calgary | |
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Discovery House | Women’s Wellness | Women’s Wellnessis a group program that helps women focus on their healing and strengthen their ability to manage stress, anxiety, and emotional challenges. | 1 | Calgary | |
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Discovery House | Parenting After Domestic Violence | Parenting After Domestic Violence is a 12-week program which offers tools for parenting after leaving an abusive situation. | 3 | Calgary | |
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Sagesse | The Growth Circle | The Growth Circle program is a 14-week peer support group designed for women who have experienced IPV. | 4 | Calgary | |
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Sagesse | Step Forward | The Step Forward program is peer-support initiative designed for individuals impacted by IPV. | 1 | Calgary | |
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Niitoiyis Family Support Society | Family Violence Prevention Program | The Family Violence Prevention program focuses on stopping family violence and abuse, providing support for women and children experiencing violence. | 4 | Calgary | |
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Niitoiyis Family Support Society | Youth Mentorship Program | The Youth Mentorship Program for ages 13–17 offers biweekly sessions on cultural awareness, wellness, and recreational activities, addressing teen issues while promoting healing, safety, empowerment, and belonging. | 4 | Calgary | |
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Ruth's House | The Sisterhood Circle | The Sisterhood Circle is a six-week peer program supporting individuals and others affected by domestic abuse. | 4 | Calgary | |
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Ruth's House | Mom-2-Mom Motherhood Community | The Mom-2-Mom Motherhood Community is an online group connecting Black mothers for support and community. | 3 | Calgary | |
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Fear Is Not Love | The Court Program | The Court Program assists individuals experiencing family violence and abuse in navigating the legal system. | 3 | Calgary | |
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Fear Is Not Love | Healthy Relationships Program | The Healthy Relationships Program offers judgment‑free counseling to youth aged 12 and older, focusing on challenges in close relationships. | 2 | Calgary | |
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Kindred | Prenatal Outreach Support Team | The Prenatal Outreach Support Team provides in‑home and community‑based support for pregnant individuals who are experiencing vulnerabilities. | 1 | Calgary | |
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Kindred | Parent-Infant Relationship Team | The Parent-Infant Relationship Team is geared towards nurturing strong bonds between parents and infants 0 – 2 years of age. | 1 | Calgary | |
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Elizabeth House | Elizabeth House | Elizabeth House offers personalized support through a dedicated one‑on‑one care coordinator who helps mothers navigate the transition into parenthood and build a meaningful vision for their future. | 4 | Calgary | |
| Image | Agency | Program | Description | Evidence Grade | Location | Contact Info |
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Liberty Lane Inc. | Freedom, Inspiration, Education, Resilience, Collective Support, Empowerment (FIERCE) | The Outreach Program supports domestic violence survivors in the greater Fredericton area. | 1 | Fredericton, NB | |
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Liberty Lane Inc. | Children’s Program | The Children’s Program helps children affected by domestic violence develop coping skills, self-esteem, emotional awareness, and social and problem-solving abilities. | 2 | Fredericton, NB | |
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New Brunswick Social Pediatrics | Community Social Pediatrics Clinic | The Community Social Pediatrics Clinic supports children under 18 with attention, behavioural, social-emotional, or academic challenges. | 1 | Saint John, NB | |
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Prince Edward Island Rape and Sexual Assault Centre | Braiding Sweetgrass Program | The Braiding Sweetgrass Program is a three-year pilot offering culturally appropriate, gender-affirming trauma therapy for Indigenous women, youth, and 2SLGBTQ+ survivors of sexualized violence. | 4 | Charlottetown & Summerside, Prince Edward Island | |
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Prince Edward Island Rape and Sexual Assault Centre | Trauma Information Group | The Trauma Information Group offers 10 weekly online sessions for childhood abuse and sexual assault survivors awaiting therapy at the PEI Rape and Sexual Assault Centre. | 2 | Charlottetown & Summerside, Prince Edward Island | |
| Image | Agency | Program | Description | Evidence Grade | Location | Contact Info |
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Network to Eliminate Violence in Relationships | Violence Intervention Program Toolkit | The toolkit provides workshops to help people identify and safely intervene in relationship violence. | 4 | Surrey | |
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Dixon Transition Society | Children at Dixon | Children at Dixon offers compassionate and structured support for children who have been affected by IPV and are residing at Dixon House or Wenda’s Place. | 4 | Burnaby | |
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Dixon Transition Society | Stopping the Violence Counselling | Stopping the Violence Counselling supports transitional housing residents affected by abuse. | 4 | Burnaby | |
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Ending Violence Association of BC | Be More Than a Bystander Program | The Be More Than a Bystander program empowers high school students to take action against gender-based violence. | 2 | Vancouver | |
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Women in Need Gaining Strength | Women in Safe Health Encouraging Support (WISHES) Groups | WISHES (Women In Safe Healthy Encouraging Support) is a -week community-based support program designed for women who have been impacted by domestic abuse. | 2 | New Westminster | |
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Women in Need Gaining Strength | Multicultural Outreach Program | WINGS Multicultural Outreach provides personalized support to women of all cultures affected by domestic abuse. | 3 | New Westminster | |
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Atira Women’s Resource Society | SisterSpace | SisterSpace is a women-only overdose prevention site providing a safe and inclusive space. | 4 | Vancouver | |
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Elizabeth Fry Society of Greater Vancouver | Just Kids | Just Kids is designed to mitigate the long-term harmful effects of parental incarceration. | 4 | Vancouver | |
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Elizabeth Fry Society of Greater Vancouver | New Westminster Integrated Family Program | The New Westminster Integrated Family Program provides short-term family counselling in the New Westminster area. | 4 | Vancouver | |
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Progressive Intercultural Community Services Society | Women & Gender Equality Program | The Women & Gender Equality Program (WAGE) assists with promoting women’s rights and settlement. | 4 | Surrey | |
| Image | Agency | Program | Description | Evidence Grade | Location | Contact Info |
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Agape House | Children's Programming | Agape House offers comprehensive children's programming designed to support young individuals affected by domestic violence. | 4 | Steinbach | |
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Agape House | Continued Support Services | When clients have left Agape House, the shelter provides continued support through ongoing counselling, advocacy, and assistance with medical, legal, and social services. | 4 | Steinbach | |
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Willow Place | Family Group Program | The Family Group Program is a new program developed by Willow Place to provide support for moms and their children to improve their relationship interactions. | 2 | Winnipeg | |
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Willow Place | Healthy Living Program | The Healthy Living program aims to support mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual well‑being for families staying at Willow Place. | 4 | Winnipeg | |
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Marymound Inc. | Cultural Program | The Cultural Program offers a safe, nurturing place for youth to heal through cultural awareness and identity. | 4 | Winnipeg | |
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Marymound Inc. | Young Parents Program | The Young Parents Program (YPP) supports young parents and moms-to-be with pregnancy care, skill building, nutrition, and respite. | 4 | Winnipeg | |
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Positive Discipline in Everyday Life | The Positive Discipline in Everyday Parenting (PDEP) | The Positive Discipline in Everyday Parenting (PDEP) program helps caregivers teach children effectively while respecting their rights, dignity, and participation. | 4 | Winnipeg | |
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Chez Rachel | Literacy Support Program | Chez Rachel provides a personalized and highly adaptable approach to improving academic abilities and job‑related skills. | 4 | Winnipeg | |
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Chez Rachel | Health Coping Support Program | The Health Coping Support Program offers individual and group therapy to address harmful behaviors and promote healthier coping skills. | 2 | Winnipeg | |
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Mosaic – Newcomer Family Resource Network | Nobody's Perfect | Nobody’s Perfect is a community‑based parenting program that provides education and support for newcomer parents of young children aged 0–5 years. | 4 | Winnipeg | |
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Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters | Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters | HIPPY is an at-home program that helps parents of 3–5-year-olds build teaching skills, foster positive interactions, and support school readiness. | 1 | Steinbach | |
| Image | Agency | Program | Description | Evidence Grade | Location | Contact Info |
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Young Women’s Christian Association | Independent Legal Advice & Representation (ILAR) Program | The ILAR program is available to anyone experiencing family or sexual violence or with legal concerns about an Emergency Protection Order. | 4 | Yellowknife | |
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Young Women’s Christian Association | Project Child Recovery | Project Child Recovery supports children and youth affected by trauma, including family violence, substance abuse, grief, and bullying. | 4 | Yellowknife | |
| Image | Agency | Program | Description | Evidence Grade | Location | Contact Info |
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Kingston Interval House | Kingston Interval House Community Outreach Program | Kingston Interval House’s Community Outreach Program provides free, confidential support to women 16+ and their children who have experienced or are at risk of intimate partner violence. | 2 | Kingston | |
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Elizabeth Fry Society of Ottawa | Adult Programming | The Elizabeth Fry Society of Ottawa provides individual and group programs for women and gender-diverse individuals involved in the criminal justice system. | 2 | Ottawa | |
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Elizabeth Fry Society of Ottawa | Court Support Program | The Court Support Program is run by a dedicated court support worker and volunteers. | 4 | Ottawa | |
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Elder Abuse Prevention Ontario | Local Elder Abuse Networks | Local Elder Abuse Networks in Ontario are community-based collaboratives supported by Elder Abuse Prevention Ontario (EAPO) to prevent elder abuse and neglect. | 2 | Ontario | |
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Vesta Social Innovation Technologies | Vesta Community | Vesta Community is an online information and reporting platform for gender-based violence. | 1 | Ontario | |
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Ontario Association of Interval & Transition Houses | Seniors Safety Line | The Seniors Safety Line is Ontario’s only 24/7 crisis and support line for seniors experiencing abuse or neglect. | 3 | Toronto | |
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Ontario Association of Interval & Transition Houses | The Assaulted Women’s Helpline | The Assaulted Women’s Helpline is a free, anonymous, and confidential 24/7 crisis line for women in Ontario who have experienced any form of abuse. | 4 | Toronto | |
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Ontario Association of Interval & Transition Houses | Talk 4 Healing | Talk 4 Healing is culturally safe telephone helpline designed specifically for Indigenous women in northern Ontario. | 4 | Toronto | |
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Ontario Association of Interval & Transition Houses | Fem’aide | Fem’aide is a confidential provincial crisis line providing support to Francophone women in Ontario who are experiencing violence or distress. | 2 | Toronto | |
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Muslim Resource Centre for Social Support and Integration | Caring Dads | Caring Dads is a group program for men struggling with parenting or at risk of, or with a history of, child abuse or domestic violence exposure. | 4 | Waterloo | |
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Muslim Resource Centre for Social Support and Integration | Strengthening Families Program | The Strengthening Families Program is a skill development program for children aged 6 – 17 years of age and their families. | 2 | Waterloo | |
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Children’s Aid Society of Toronto | RBC Youth Works Program | The RBC Youth Works program helps youth 16–29, including former youth in care, develop skills for independence and employment. | 4 | Toronto | |
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Children’s Aid Society of Toronto | HSBC Skills & Leadership Program | The HSBC Skills and Leadership program is designed for youth facing vulnerable situations. | 1 | Toronto | |
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Children’s Aid Society of Toronto | Connections Program | The Connections Program is an in‑house health and wellness transition hub for youth 18–29 years of age who are moving out of the child welfare system. | 1 | Toronto | |
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Parent Resource Centre | EarlyOn Child and Family Centre | EarlyOn Child and Family Centre is a welcoming, safe and inclusive space for parents, caregivers and children aged newborn to six years old. | 1 | Ottawa | |
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Parent Resource Centre | Family Resilience Program | The Family Resilience Program offers parenting support services that are client‑centered and trauma‑informed to all parents and caregivers in the Greater Ottawa Area. | 2 | Ottawa | |
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Parent Resource Centre | Circle of Security Parenting Group | The Circle of Security® Parenting™ Group is an 8-week online program for parents with children aged 0-18. | 2 | Ontario | |
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Jewish Family and Child Service of Greater Toronto | Here to Help | Here to Help is a group program offering a safe, supportive environment for youth aged 4–16 and their mothers who have experienced domestic violence. | 4 | Toronto | |
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Jewish Family and Child Service of Greater Toronto | Separation & Divorce Programs | Jewish Family & Child Service offers a range of programs to support individuals and families going through separation and divorce. | 2 | Toronto | |
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Legal Assistance of Windsor | Supporting Survivors of Gender-Based Violence and Sexual Assault Project | Legal Assistance of Windsor’s project offers confidential, trauma-informed legal and social work support to survivors of gender-based violence and sexual assault. | 2 | Windsor | |
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Legal Assistance of Windsor | Windsor-Essex Counter-Exploitation Network | The Windsor‑Essex Counter‑Exploitation Network is a Legal Assistance of Windsor program dedicated to supporting survivors of domestic and international human trafficking. | 4 | Windsor | |
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Jean Tweed | Building Resilience | Building Resilience is a 4-week group program helping women understand the impact of trauma and its links to substance use or gambling. | 4 | Etobicoke | |
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Jean Tweed | Seeking Safety | Seeking Safety is a 20-week program that addresses the impact of trauma and its connection to substance use or gambling. | 3 | Etobicoke | |
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LOFT Community Service | Peer Support | Peer support is available for clients with mental health challenges, including trauma from domestic violence. | 2 | Toronto | |
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Anova | Man|Made | Man|Made is a four-week psychoeducational group for postsecondary men that offers facilitated discussions and peer modeling on healthy masculinity and sexuality. | 1 | London | |
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Anova | Sexual Assault Counselling | Anova offers free, trauma-informed sexual assault counselling for women, female-identified, and gender non-conforming individuals aged 15 and older. | 2 | London | |
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Anova | Family Court Support | Anova provides free Family Court Support services to women, particularly those who have experienced abuse, navigating the family court system. | 4 | London | |
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St. Mary’s Home | Child Development Program | St. Mary’s Home offers a child and youth development program for pregnant and parenting youth up to 29 with children under six. | 2 | Ottawa | |
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St. Mary’s Home | Infant and Early Mental Health Programming | St. Mary’s Home offers Infant and Early Mental Health programs that strengthen parent–child relationships through attachment-based, trauma-informed care. | 2 | Ottawa | |
| Image | Agency | Program | Description | Evidence Grade | Location | Contact Info |
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Viol-Secours | Prevention Programs | Viol-Secours has implemented a comprehensive range of sexual violence prevention activities. | 2 | Québec City | |
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Viol-Secours | Support Groups | Viol‑Secours, the Québec City CALACS, offers support groups for women, adolescents, and their loved ones affected by sexual violence. | 2 | Québec City | |
| Image | Agency | Program | Description | Evidence Grade | Location | Contact Info |
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Moose Jaw Family Services Inc. | Diversion | Diversion is a voluntary program that provides supportive services to help families address challenges early and prevent them from escalating. | 1 | Moose Jaw | |
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Moose Jaw Family Services Inc. | Family Support Program | The Family Support Program works with families referred exclusively through Child and Family Services, where children have been identified as being in need of protection. | 1 | Moose Jaw | |
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Family Service Saskatoon | Parenting Groups | Six-week parenting groups boost confidence and parent–child relationships. Programs include Nobody’s Perfect (parenting skills), When Anger Gets in the Way of Parenting (anger management), Effective Co-Parenting, and ATTACH™ (secure attachment). | 2 | Saskatoon | |
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Family Service Saskatoon | Youth Programs | Family Service Saskatoon offers a diverse range of youth programs designed to help teens build emotional resilience, develop healthy relationships, and strengthen life skills. | 2 | Saskatoon | |
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STOPS to Violence | STOPS to Violence | STOPS to Violence is a cross-sectoral network that works collaboratively to take collective action to prevent and reduce interpersonal and gender-based violence and abuse in Saskatchewan. | 4 | Regina | |
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SOFIA House | SOFIA House | SOFIA House offers secure housing and support services for families who have experienced domestic violence. | 4 | Regina | |
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Family Service Regina | Thrive Rapid Access Counselling | The Thrive Rapid Access Counselling program offers free, short-term support for various mental health and relationship concerns, available in person, by phone, video, or through walk-ins at select library branches. | 1 | Regina | |
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Family Service Regina | Youth Parent Program | The Young Parent Program empowers pregnant and parenting youth (13–23 years of age) by combining academic support with parenting guidance in a safe, caring environment. | 4 | Regina | |
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Regina Transition House | Regina Transition House | Regina Transition House offers safe shelter and a range of support services to promote the well-being of women and children. | 2 | Regina | |
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Family Service Regina | Victims Compensation Counselling | The Victims Compensation Counselling program supports approved applicants with the application process using compassionate, evidence-based approaches. | 1 | Regina | |