The Residential Program - Adult and Child Services

Leaving a violent relationship is the most dangerous time for a woman. Given the elevated risk level for this group, it is essential that we provide a safe, healthy and secure building for the women and children who reside at Discovery House as they heal from the trauma and abuse and begin to rebuild a live free of family violence.

Discovery House has 19 apartments and is the most secure shelter in Alberta with a state-of-the-art, twenty-four hour security and surveillance system, overseeing 16 monitors. The security system requires around-the-clock personnel to monitor it. The average stay at Discovery House is approximately six months during which the clients are provided a wide range of programs and services.

The Residential program is for all women and children residing at Discovery House. Each family member’s individual needs are assessed and a staff team is composed to provide the services that address the specific needs of the client. The team includes residential adult and child service case managers, clients, an in-home support worker and child and youth support workers.

A full range of integrated services are “wrapped around” each individual adult and child client. Services include individual and group counselling, safety planning, education, referrals, developmental assessments for children, advocacy, and life skills training. They help clients enhance self-esteem, confidence and empathy. All services focus on building capacity and reducing the impact of violence in our adult and child clients to facilitate independence in the community and a life free from domestic violence.