Canadian Training Institute
Institut Canadien de Formation

Message from the Executive Director:

I am pleased to provide you with a commentary on the activities, challenges and organizational successes we experienced during the 1998/99 fiscal year. This year witnessed an expansion of our partnership base and a relocation of our offices to 50 Euston Avenue located at the Donlands and Danforth subway stop within the east end of Toronto. We expanded the number of in-service training programs delivered across Canada, achieved our debt reduction targets, initiated the Beyond the Halls project aimed at reducing youth violence and creating safe, respectful and inclusive school environments. At the outset of this annual report, I wish to personally express my gratitude and sincere appreciation to the many individuals, agencies and government departments who continued to support us through grants, memberships, donations and by utilizing our services. Without your confidence and belief in the value of our services, the CTI Canadian Training Institute, Institut Canadien de Formation would neither exist, nor have the capacity to produce this report. I can assure you that we will continue to honour your confidence in our ability to make a difference by remaining committed to the following goals:

"To enhancing the effectiveness of skills, knowledge and services in responding to vulnerable individuals struggling with life threatening crisis, in reducing crime, violence and thereby contributing to healthy individuals, service delivery systems, families and communities."

Training Programs Designed and Delivered:

• From April 1, 1998 to March 31, 1999 CTI designed and delivered 55 training programs across Canada. This involved 9 general offering courses that were advertised in our course calendar and 46 in-service or within agency training programs involving 680 participants. The majority of these training sessions were delivered throughout Ontario and Saskatchewan.
• CTI continues to build partnerships with a number of First Nation communities in assisting with the development of skills and expertise in responding to youth suicide, sexual abuse, solvent sniffing, vandalism and youth violence. Training sessions have been delivered for the staff of the new healing centre in Cat Lake, Akli Pimadezewening, Weecheewayuin, to social services and the youth street patrol at Eabametoong First Nation in Fort Hope and for family violence shelter workers in Dryden. We have also partnered with B'Saanibamadsiwin in providing crisis response training for staff of eight First Nation communities in the Parry Sound region.
• CTI also entered into a number of in-service training agreements in which multiple skill building sessions were provided over an extended period of time. We extend our thanks for utilizing our services and allowing us the opportunity to make a difference to the following agencies:
• Seaton House Men's Hostel
• Clarendon Foundation
• Fort Battleford Urban Metis Development Inc.
• Toronto Catholic District School Board
• Canadian Foundation on Compulsive Gambling - Saskatchewan
• Toronto Parks and Recreation Department
• CTI has also partnered with the Worker's Safety Injury Board (WSIB) and the Health Care, Health and Safety Association in creating safe work place environments in a variety of settings in Ontario. This process will witness CTI delivering two days of training in Crisis Intervention with the Hostile/Aggressive Individual both within this and the 1999/2000 fiscal year. This training will provide for linkages to Health and Safety committees, draft policies to support agencies development of an internal accountability system and the skills to defuse aggressive behaviour. Ten training programs will be provided across Ontario including Thunder Bay, Sudbury, Ottawa, Toronto, London and Hamilton.
• CTI also entered in a number of partnerships aimed at enhancing skills and knowledge and, in providing access to our training programs. Some of these partnerships are described as follows:
• George Brown College - CTI faculty continue to deliver the Crisis Intervention with the Hostile/Aggressive Individual during the Fall, Winter, Spring and Summer calendars. This evening program is included as a core credit within the Advanced Counselling Certificate program.
• Humber College - CTI faculty also delivers the Crisis Intervention with the Hostile/Aggressive Individual in conjunction with the Advanced Crisis Counselling certificate offered at the Lakeshore Campus, Humber College. This core credit program is offered during the Spring and Summer sessions.
• Miramichi Community College/St. Thomas University - This college and university have agreed to partner in offering a Bachelor of Applied Arts in Criminal Justice. This program which will accept students beginning in September 1999 will be delivered under a distance education, Internet web-based format. CTI's publication "A Primer on Community Corrections and Criminal Justice Work in Canada" is being utilized as the core text for the community corrections course.
• First Nation's Forum - CTI has partnered with this vocational training organization located in Prince Albert Sasketchewan in offering the following: A year long First Nation's Government Specialist Certificate and an intensive Problem Gambling Intervention and Treatment Specialist Certificate Program. This organization has initiated plans to begin offering a Conflict Resolution and Domestic Violence Specialist Certificate Program for September 99.
• Fountain of Life School of Ministry - CTI has supported the development of a Pastoral Counselling Level I, II and III Certificate program with this school located in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan. This program is a modified version of CTI's Counselling Certificate program.
• CTI received funding from Correctional Service Canada to assess the need, competency levels and issues facing the Life Line Service. This Canada wide project led to the development of a comprehensive Orientation and Training Resource Manual. It also witnessed the delivery of an intensive four day training session in Ottawa during the week of March 22, 1999. This project included the creation of a Historical storyboard that identified significant events that shaped the expansion of the Life Line Service and in-reach workers across Canada. This intensive training week culminated with a special tribute to John Braithwaite and Edward "Skip" Graham for their tireless commitment to this cause.
• CTI has under the leadership of John Fryters developed a Level IV prevention training program aimed at working with youth and communities to reduce the potential for gambling dependance problems. In developing this program, John Fryters was sponsored for an internship program at two mental health and addiction centres in Holland. Upon his return he finalized the curriculum and has delivered this Level IV training program in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan and Toronto, Ontario.
• CTI also engaged in dialogue with the Ontario Native Education Counsellors Association in preparing a response to the Ontario Substance Abuse Bureau on Gambling Treatment Training and Prevention Initiatives. This dialogue was aimed at entering into a partnership with ONECA, the Office of the Chiefs of Ontario and potentially Sault Ste. Marie Community College along with Nippissing University to create a provincial strategy aimed at both preventing and responding to gambling dependent individuals and families in First Nation communities. This project has subsequently been put on hold due to the change in policy direction of the Ontario Substance Abuse Bureau. We anticipate the Ministry of Health, Ontario Substance Abuse Bureau will announce their intentions some time this summer.

Collaboration with Others in Crime Prevention and Reduction of Youth Violence:

• CTI who is a member of the Solicitor General of Canada's National Reference Group was invited to participate in a round table discussion on at-risk children and youth. As a reference group member CTI facilitated discussions on the issues and strategies required to address at-risk children and youth. This consultation which was held at McGill University in Montreal drew participants from across Canada. Although support for a follow up session was unanimously agreed to, this has not occurred.
• Toronto Catholic District School Board - In June of this year CTI joined with a number of key individuals from the Toronto Catholic District School Board in establishing an Advisory Committee on Youth Violence. Representatives attending this meeting included the Superintendent of Special Services, the Director of Section 27 Schools, Director of Conflict Resolution and Peer Mediation Training, three Vice-Principals representing three secondary schools with the Board, the Director of Special Support Services and the Director of Social Work. The work of the Advisory Committee involves an exploration of strategies aimed at preventing violence and crime within the Board's Secondary Schools. This Committee reviewed a report on critical incidents and the results of a survey completed with teachers on violent occurrences within schools. The Advisory Committee, also reviewed the role of the Committee and articulated a desire to support a three-year strategy aimed at reducing crime and violence within schools. The Committee's next step involves finalizing the identification of the three High Schools which will serve as pilot sites. A needs assessment in identifying incidents of crime and violence will be undertaken with staff and students within each pilot site. A number of strategies including training, curriculum development, parenting courses and neighbourhood development will be considered in light of the needs assessment results. CTI will be preparing a submission to the National Crime Prevention Council to support its involvement in this partnership approach.
• CTI worked with All About Parenting, the Toronto District School Board, the Toronto Catholic District School Board, the Attorney General's office, Toronto and Durham Regional Police to plan and co-sponsor a Youth Violence Conference. This conference was held October 15-16, 1998 at the MacDonald Block and was attended by 178 participants. City TV co-sponsored this session which examined youth violence in schools and among teens. This conference will now be an annual conference with the next one being held in October 1999.
• CTI continues to maintain an active membership with the National Network of Violence Prevention Practitioners. This organization located in Newton, Massachusetts is funded through the Carnegie Foundation of New York. It provides CTI with access to three national data banks on at-risk youth, violence among youth and community mobilization efforts to reduce violence. As the first International member, CTI continues to benefit from the resource materials and discussions aimed at reducing youth violence.

Initiatives Designed to Increase Effectiveness of Community Correctional Programs:

• CTI has also entered into a partnership with the International Community Corrections Association and the National Institute on Corrections to co-sponsor a training seminar in June 1999. This seminar entitled Effective Community Justice Programs: Accountable, Accredited and Validated will be planned in conjunction with an Advisory Committee comprised of private agencies, provincial and federal government personnel. We are pursuing an agenda of involving the provincial government with the hopes that a renewed commitment emerges for programs based on effective correctional treatment. We have just entered into early discussion on the idea of replicating this in the Atlantic region. If we proceed, an Advisory Committee within this region will be established to oversee its development.
• CTI's President and Executive Director played prominent roles in facilitating a one-day strategic planning session with members of the Coalition of Community Correctional Agencies. The President provided a look at the trends, issues and challenges impacting community corrections at a Global, North American, National and to some degree an Ontario perspective. The President of the Ontario Association of Criminology and Corrections then provided a micro-analysis of Ontario's policies and directions. The Executive Director then facilitated a planning session culminating in the identification of issues and immediate actions which might be undertaken in addressing effective correctional treatment programs within the province of Ontario.
• The Solicitor General of Canada issued a press release in May announcing the availability of CTI's publication entitled "A Primer on Community Corrections and Criminal Justice work in Canada". The French version of this publication was completed in August 98, with distribution occurring in September. In paralleling the Miramichi Community College/St. Thomas University partnership, the University of New Brunswick (Moncton) and Dieppe Community College have adopted the French version of the "Primer" for their Bachelor of Applied Arts Degree in criminal justice. The publication will be utilized as the core text for the community corrections course.
• CTI continued to meet with the Director of Research and other senior managers employed by Correctional Service Canada, in urging that funding be made available to conduct outcome evaluations of community residential facilities. Although a proposal that highlighted the commitments of three Community Residential Facilities and one Community Correctional Centre to participate in an outcome evaluation including analysis of within program effect was submitted, support has not been forthcoming.

First Methadone Conference in Ontario

Graham Vardy and Rossana Valladares on behalf of CTI provided leadership in coordinating and organizing the first provincial methadone conference in Ontario for primary care physicians, addiction treatment providers, public health officials, needle exchange staff, AIDS service organizations and Ministry of Health staff in Toronto, March 22-24, 1999. The focus of the conference was to bring together an provide education and a local health planning opportunity for major stakeholders, including consumers, from six areas of the province. These areas were identified on the basis of high opiate use, high HIV transmission rates and a shortage of licensed methadone physicians and support services. Methadon treatment is seen as a key strategy aimed at opiate users to reduce the many harms associated with this drug including criminality.

Bruce Kappel, on behalf of CTI was contracted to write a final report on the conference proceedings. This report was widely disseminated across Ontario to all stakeholders involved in methadone treatment.

Enhancing trauma support service:

• CTI continued to provide leadership during the second conference on Traumatic Stress. Our role included organizing the conference, handling registrations and serving as moderator. The pre-conference institute witnessed 306 individuals enrolled in various trauma response training programs. The actual conference participants, which was down from the first forum, recorded 342 registrations. This conference also witnessed the election of the first National Board of Directors and the appointment of its first Executive Director. This organization has now separated itself from CTI and is physically located in British Columbia. The membership of this organization is drawn from emergency services, search and rescue, policing, corrections, armed forces, and includes peer counsellors, trauma debriefers, therapists and educators. Dr. Lois Rosine, Northern Treatment Centre and the Executive Director of CTI serve on the Board of CTSN and will continue to ensure services are available and responsive to corrections, criminal justice and victims of violent crimes.
• CTI continued to respond to requests from agencies who have been exposed to traumatic events. Our volunteer crisis response team comprised of trainers and service providers with expertise in trauma debriefing, counselling and grief support continues to provide a valuable service. Dr. Bergita Jansen, a clinical psychologist, serves as CTI's Clinical Director for this team. Although this service continues to be utilized, it is currently an unfunded service. CTI requires the financial support of agencies and individuals in continuing to provide this service. Tax receipts will be issued for donations over $10.00.

Participation in National and International Organizations:

• CTI continued to serve as a member of Correctional Service Canada's National Community Corrections Council. Donald Evans, Graham Vardy and John Sawdon represented CTI in contributing to the development of strategies aimed at both enhancing the role of community corrections and increasing effectiveness of efforts. CTI, as an Associate Member of the American Probation and Parole Association continues to represent APPA's membership on the National Community Corrections Council.
• Donald Evans, President of the Board of Directors, continues to represent the CTI Canadian Training Institute on the Executive Committee's of the American Probation and Parole Association and the International Community Corrections Association (ICCA). Don has facilitated roundtable forums on Restorative Justice and provided an overview of CTI's Dynamic Case Management Program during the mid-winter conference. Don is also an active contributor to APPA's Perspective Magazine and ICCA's Journal on Effective Correctional Programs.
• Don also represented CTI in facilitating a workshop with the National Institute on Corrections - Community Corrections Act. The National Institute on Corrections also provided CTI with 150 copies of its publication Public Protection through Offender Risk Reduction: Putting Research into Practice. This comprehensive resource manual will be distributed to individuals attending the Effective Community Justice Programs seminar scheduled for June 14-15, 1999.
• CTI continues its membership with the National Association's Active in Criminal Justice (NAACJ). This organization which has served as a coordinating committee on behalf of a number of national organizations, continues to establish information sharing meetings with the Department of Justice and the Solicitor General of Canada. Lisa Addario, the Executive Coordinator of NAACJ, continues to serve as a vital link in keeping members informed of these Ministries priorities and emerging legislation before Parliament. CTI also participated in a series of Correctional Service Canada research discussions. This series of meetings assists in shaping this organization's future plans.
• CTI also participated in the Ministry Secretariat of the Solicitor General's roundtable discussions on a review of the Corrections and Conditional Release Act, Private Members Bills and Organized Crime during the 1998/99 fiscal year.
• Don Evans also represented CTI at the Attorney General's Office of Justice Programs at a round table discussion in Washington D.C. This round table represented by senior administrators from Prisons Corrections Departments across the United States addressed the topic "Rethinking Probation."
• The President and Executive Director also met with the Executive Director of the International Corrections Prisons Association in Ottawa to explore potential membership within this new organization. One of the goals of this new Association is to link correctional practitioners from around the world in exploring effective correctional treatment. The first Conference of this Association is scheduled for the fall of 1999 in Budapest, Hungary.

Organizational Changes and our Financial Outlook:

• During our Annual Meeting the membership approved a bylaw change allowing for the election of six Directors-at-Large. This change allows the membership the option of electing individuals who bring particular expertise and enthusiasm to the Board. A second By-law amendment allowing for the creation of individual and, agency, associate and patron memberships was also approved. CTI looks forward to recruiting new members in strengthening our capacity to make a difference.
• In January of 1999 Graham Vardy joined CTI's staff as Director of Development and Special Projects. Graham who has provided training on behalf of CTI for approximately twelve years leaves his full-time position as a Program Consultant with the Ontario Substance Abuse Bureau, Ministry of Health. Graham joins Keith Calder, Workshop Coordinator, Frances Sipek, Desktop Publishing and Administrative Assistant in our head office.
• The 1998/99 fiscal year witnessed a reduction in our debt and thus achievement of debt reduction targets established by the Board of Directors. Supported by a substantial increase in the delivery of in-service training, CTI's revenues were $393,194.00 against expenditures of $380,102.00. This resulting surplus of $13,092.00 reduced CTI's previously accumulated deficit from $43,105.00 to $30,013.00. In addition to meeting our debt reduction targets, CTI also spent $9,175.00 on renovations and office equipment in supporting our relocation to new premises. In-Kind Canada, a national charity which seeks out office equipment and furnishings which are then distributed to its member charities, was instrumental in assisting CTI to establish its new office. We wish to convey our appreciation and gratitude to this organization for their donations of a photocopier, office furniture and supplies. Your contributions have assisted us to settle in and to operationalize our services, while assisting with our debt reduction.