Dear WomenatthecentrE Members,

Dr. Robin Mason and Dr. Janice Du Mont of Women's College Research Institute, Women’s College Hospital have received funding from the Ministry of Children and Youth Services to explore improving collaboration between Children’s Aid Societies (CAS) and adult mental health services. In an effort to better understand the current state of collaboration, a survey has been developed to collect and document the opinions and experiences of women survivors of domestic violence who have also received services from a CAS and adult mental health service providers over the same period of time. This survey is being made available to women across Ontario such as yourself (and potentially beyond) through WomenatthecentrE’s website and listserv. 

The purpose of this survey is to help us determine how CAS workers and adult mental health service providers communicate (or not) when working with women experiencing abuse and in turn, inform recommendations for improved collaboration. Specifically, your responses will be first anonymized (meaning anything that could identify you will be removed), then presented at a meeting of experts and workers from groups that provide service to women and children experiencing mental health issues, substance abuse issues and/or domestic violence (to be held this November 2016). Any quotes included in the final report for the Ministry or any other publications will also be made anonymous. 

The survey takes approximately 10-15 minutes to complete. Completion of the survey is completely voluntary and no one will ask you for your name nor will anything you say ever be associated with you when we talk about this study. If we ever do use a quote, we will ensure you cannot be identified. You are free at any time to opt out of answering a question, or the entire survey. 
 
Your decision to take part or not take part in this survey will not affect your relationship with WomenatthecentrE and please note that no one will know if you have participated or not. Should you chose to participate, your insights and experiences will help us make informed recommendations for improved service provision for women and children experiencing mental health issues, substance abuse issues and/or domestic violence.  

If you have any questions, please contact Maeve Paterson, the study coordinator at:

416-323-6400 ext. 5140 or Maeve.Paterson@wchospital.ca

We thank you for considering participating in advance and ask you to submit your surveys

by September 23, 2016. Two reminder e-mails will be sent to you over the next two weeks inviting you to complete this survey.

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