Toba Centre provides trauma-informed care for abused children and youth

Toba Centre provides trauma-informed care for abused children and youth

The Toba Centre for Children and Youth, formerly known as Snowflake Place, operates as a child advocacy centre designed to provide a safe and welcoming environment for children aged two to 17 who have witnessed violence or been impacted by abuse. Located in Assiniboine Park following a 2023 move, the facility integrates police, medical, and social work services to offer a coordinated response that reduces potential trauma for youth and their caregivers.

Prior to the establishment of the centre, children and youth were seen at the Health Sciences Centre. Dr. Megan Cooney, a pediatrician specializing in child maltreatment and section head of the Child Protection Centre within the Department of Pediatrics with Shared Health, described the previous hospital setting as disruptive. According to Cooney, children arriving from rural communities often had not eaten or slept and were faced with a chaotic environment filled with alarms, buzzers, and crying babies.

The current model shifts the focus away from the emergency department. At the Toba Centre, children are seen in family-centred spaces after they have had the opportunity to sleep and eat. Cooney noted that the facility represents the gold standard for how children and families should be cared for after a child or youth is physically or sexually assaulted.

A central component of the centre's efficiency is the use of highly trained forensic interviewers. Cooney explained that because children undergo these interviews before the pediatrician sees them, she does not have to ask the children to recount the abuse, which she described as traumatizing. This allows medical providers to focus on the immediate needs and well-being of the child.

CEO Christy Dzikowicz, a social worker with 30 years of experience in child maltreatment across Manitoba and Ontario, describes the environment as homey and rooted in trauma-informed care. The staffing model includes a multidisciplinary team available to each child upon entry:

• A pediatrician and a forensic medical practitioner
• A police officer (the centre has 23 police officers on staff)
• A CFS worker
• A victim advocate
• Three trained dogs for ongoing support

The facility includes a full medical clinic equipped with two exam rooms. Dzikowicz stated that while the centre investigates crime, the priority remains the recovery needs of the children and ensuring the process moves at a pace that manages the families' needs.

The development of the Assiniboine Park location required $15 million. Dzikowicz reported that $10 million was provided by the community and $5 million came from provincial funding. She noted that the community's willingness to contribute was easier than expected, reflecting a widespread concern for children's welfare.

Data from the last year indicates a high demand for these services. The Toba Centre received 813 referrals from the Brandon Police Service, Winnipeg Police Service, Manitoba First Nations Police, and the RCMP. These referrals involved 1,171 children and youth. The volume of forensic interviews has grown, with 809 conducted in 2025/26, representing an increase of 41.7 per cent over three years.

Additionally, throughout 2025/26, support specialists maintained contact with more than 1,200 new and existing families and care providers, while supporting 650 families and providers during appointments.

Dzikowicz linked unattended child abuse to broader social issues such as homelessness and suicide, arguing that abuse thrives in secrecy. To combat this, she encourages public awareness. Looking forward, the centre highlights October as Child Abuse Awareness Month. The Winnipeg Jets and spokesperson Adam Lowry continue to support the campaign, which includes a province-wide toy drive to create comfort kits for children.