9. Guidelines for the Ongoing Support of a COSA

A. Ongoing COSA Support for the Whole COSA

Volunteer support is a central part of healthy COSA functioning. This support is ongoing and is usually offered within a group context. Individual support is also provided. Following are some suggestions for providing COSA support.

i. Educational Evenings

The Local Initiative Co-ordinator (LPC) should schedule frequent educational evenings (approximately every 8 weeks when possible). Depending on the content, the core member can be included in these events.

These events may include a problem-solving component around the COSA ability to relate in a healthy manner with a core member. These in-service training components are intended to be held in a supportive environment allowing volunteers to express themselves emotionally, problem-solve or brainstorm.

The LPC should also canvass volunteers frequently to find out what they would like for further training and/or education. Topics such as Fetal Alcohol Syndrome/Effect, Alcohol-Related Neurological Deficits (AND), working with mentally challenged individuals, substance abuse, brain injury, conflict resolution, restorative justice and others are topics that local professionals can be asked to talk to COSA volunteers about.

The LPC should also notify volunteers when relevant workshops, conferences and courses are held in the community and elsewhere.

ii. Volunteers Support for One Another

All COSA volunteers should be encouraged to exchange telephone numbers and to contact the co-ordinator and one another as needed. The responsibility for contact is mutually shared. If a phone list is prepared, volunteers should asked if they are willing to have their home numbers shared with a core member. For those who do not want to share this information, steps should be taken to protect their information.

iii. Annual Regional Meetings

When possible, the Regional Co-ordinator should schedule annual events (e.g.one-day mini conference, public forums or workshops) on a regional, provincial or territorial basis. These events facilitate inter-group contact, story telling and the sharing of experiences.

iv. Annual Evaluations

The LPC is encouraged to remain attentive to the dynamics of the COSA volunteers. Also, the LPC should facilitate an annual evaluation of the COSA to ascertain if volunteers wish to continue in their capacity and to identify ongoing training or other needs.

At the annual anniversary date of the core member joining the COSA, the LPC should facilitate an evaluation to determine the core member's ongoing needs, including whether or not he wishes to continue with a COSA. If the core member decides not to continue then an appropriate celebration is held to allow for closure of the COSA relationships.

B. Ongoing support - Individual Volunteers

Individual volunteers should have their own support networks in the community. These usually include family, friends, professionals (e.g. medical professionals, counselors), and, in some cases, their faith community including pastors and priests.

A COSA volunteer should not rely solely on the COSA for support. During the recruitment and screening of volunteers, care should be taken to ensure that volunteers have a balanced lifestyle that includes a strong and healthy support network outside of the COSA.

C. Citizens' Advisory Committees

Citizen's Advisory Committees (CACs) also are a potential source for supporting volunteers. They are represented in many communities across Canada and one of their goals is "to foster public participation in the correctional process." They function in a Liaison role between the CSC and the general public part of which is to provide a "link between communities and CSC, educate the public about CSC, address public concerns and build support for the correctional process. Please become aware of the support the CACs can provide. For further information please see their web site, Citizen Advisory Committees.