2026-2027 Services delivered: Victim Crisis Assistance Ontario Online Training Initiative

Component: Victim Services

Legislation: Ministry of Community and Social Services Act

Service description

The Province provides funding to the Recipient for the administration of the VCAO Online Training Initiative.

The VCAO Online Training enables VCAO service providers in Ontario to better identify the needs of victims/survivors of crime or tragic circumstance and to address their diverse and unique needs.

People served

The VCAO Online Training serves VCAO service providers in Ontario.

Program/service

Specific service provided

The Recipient will be responsible for the administration of the VCAO Online Training Initiative, which includes:

• Entering into a Partnership Agreement with the legal entity, (currently Dual Code Inc.), that hosts and maintains the online training for VCAO service providers in Ontario (the "Host"), which will enable service providers to better identify the needs of victims/survivors of crime and tragic circumstance and to provide support for these victims/survivors to address their diverse and unique needs
• Providing administration support, as needed, to facilitate VCAO service providers access to the training
• Follow-up with the Host should any issues or concerns arise
• Ensuring the Host completes any reporting required by the Province
• Notifying the Province in a timely manner should there be any serious occurrences in relation to the online training, including system outages that cannot be remedied within a reasonable period of time

• Ensuring the following conditions are met by the Host as part of the Partnership Agreement:

  • The previously developed English and French online training modules are maintained on the existing platform and website, which is accessible for persons with disabilities
  • Access and support to the existing VCAO online training is provided for up to 5,000 users from VCAO service delivery organizations
  • Materials are accessible and any necessary adjustments are made to address any technical or accessibility barriers
  • There is password-protected access to the system for users
  • A daily back up of online training data is maintained on a daily basis and any lost or damaged data is restored to the extent of the latest backup
  • There is an online resource available for users to assist with any technical issues that may arise
  • The system is available to users with at least 99.9% availability (excluding scheduled maintenance downtime where notice is provided to service providers)
  • Systems are monitored 24/7
  • System outages are addressed immediately, 24/7, including notifying users of outages
  • Standard technical support is provided to the administrators at each VCAO site via tickets submitted via email or the web 24/7. Technical issues will receive the following response times based on their priority:
    • Blocker or Critical - These requests are addressed immediately, 24/7/365
    • Major - Response is as soon as possible, within four business hours (Mon-Friday, 9am-5 pm EST, excluding statutory holidays)
    • Minor - Response time is as soon as possible, within 1 business day Trivial - Response time is as soon as possible, within 3 business days
  • The Recipient is notified in a timely manner should there be any system outages that cannot be remedied within a reasonable period of time

  Program goals

  The goals of the VCAO Online Training Initiative are to enable VCAO service providers in Ontario to:

  • Better identify the needs of victims/survivors of crime and tragic circumstance
  • Provide supports that address the diverse and unique needs of victims/survivors of crime and tragic circumstance

  Reporting requirements

  Service data and ministry funded expenditures will be reported on at an Interim and Final stage through the Transfer Payment Ontario and the submission of a report. Report back due dates and targets arein the Recipient’s agreement with the ministry.

  On an annual basis the Recipient will provide the Province with specific reporting in relation to the VCAO Online Training Initiative, to be completed by the Host, which will include:

  • Data regarding, the number of people/agencies that access and complete training; and
  • Statistics from the online user satisfaction surveys

  Reporting requirements

  Service data on ministry funded expenditures will be reported on at an Interim and Final stage. Report back due dates and targets are in the Recipient’s agreement with the ministry.

  All service and financial data will be collected through the VQRP+ Customer Relationship Management system.

  Service data name	Definition
  Individuals served: Victim Crisis Assistance Ontario (VCAO) Online Training Initiative	Total number of individuals who accessed the online training during the reporting period (cumulative).
  Ministry-funded Agency Expenditures: VCAO Online Training Initiative	Total ministry-funded expenses for the Transfer Payment Recipient to administer and/or deliver the VCAO Online Training Initiative in the reporting year (cumulative).