Manitoba Domestic Violence Coordination Framework

DV response and partnership integration guidelines for organizations in Manitoba.

Manitoba: Cross-Agency Coordination Framework

Overview

This page outlines an operational framework for Manitoba-based organizations seeking to coordinate domestic violence–related services, with emphasis on Winnipeg hub structures, rural and remote service gaps, provincial collaboration mechanisms, and common eligibility parameters for cross-agency initiatives.

Winnipeg-Based Hub Coordination

Winnipeg typically functions as the primary coordination hub for Manitoba, concentrating specialized services, interagency working groups, and provincial liaison functions. The objective is to support predictable referral pathways and consistent standards across urban and non-urban areas.

Core Functions of the Winnipeg Hub

• Convene multi-agency coordination tables (e.g., shelter networks, legal and justice system partners, health and mental health providers, child and family services, Indigenous-led organizations).
• Host centralized intake or triage models where appropriate, while maintaining clear protocols for decentralized local access in other communities.
• Coordinate training, technical assistance, and policy alignment with provincial directives and funding requirements.
• Act as an anchor for provincial data projects, including standardized indicators, anonymized trend reporting, and cross-agency reporting templates.
• Support development and maintenance of shared tools (e.g., referral forms, consent templates, risk screening tools determined by participating agencies).

Hub Governance and Participation

Agencies engaging with a Winnipeg-based hub can benefit from clear, documented governance arrangements.

• Establishment of a steering or coordination committee with defined roles (chair, data lead, training lead, provincial liaison).
• Written terms of reference covering decision-making approaches, quorum expectations, and communication protocols.
• Defined membership categories (core partners, advisory partners, time-limited project partners).
• Regularly scheduled coordination meetings with documented agendas, action items, and follow-up timelines.
• Mechanisms for regional input from outside Winnipeg (virtual participation, rotating rural representation, standing agenda items on rural/remote issues).

Rural and Remote Service Gap Considerations

Service access in rural and remote Manitoba communities often differs substantially from Winnipeg, requiring tailored coordination approaches. Agencies can document these differences to better align provincial resources and advocacy.

Common Rural/Remote Coordination Challenges

• Limited local service providers, resulting in single-agency or single-worker coverage across large geographic areas.
• Transportation barriers affecting access to courts, shelters, and specialized services concentrated in Winnipeg.
• Connectivity limitations that influence the feasibility of virtual services and shared data systems.
• Smaller community contexts where confidentiality and anonymity can be harder to maintain operationally.
• Inconsistent access to specialized supports (e.g., legal aid, family law expertise, trauma-focused clinical services) outside urban centres.

Coordination Models for Rural and Remote Areas

Several coordination models can be considered and documented through local MOUs or partnership frameworks.

• Hub-and-spoke arrangements
  • Winnipeg or regional towns function as service “hubs,” providing specialized supports.
  • Rural/remote agencies act as “spokes,” coordinating local engagement, transportation solutions, and continuity of support.
• Shared outreach models
  • Designated outreach days or circuits for legal, counselling, or advocacy services into rural and northern communities.
  • Coordinated scheduling to avoid duplication and maximize coverage.
• Virtual and blended service models
  • Use of secure virtual platforms for select services, combined with in-person support when feasible.
  • Protocols for local agencies to provide on-site practical assistance where virtual tools are in use.
• Regional consortia
  • Groups of rural and remote agencies forming a formal consortium for funding applications, shared staffing, and training.
  • Agreed procedures for prioritizing regions and communities when resources are limited.

Provincial Collaboration Notes

Provincial ministries, arms-length agencies, and funding bodies in Manitoba often expect cross-agency coordination in planning and reporting. Organizations may find it useful to document how Winnipeg hub processes and rural/remote coordination structures integrate with provincial priorities.

Interfaces with Provincial Systems

• Establish named contact points between Winnipeg-based hubs and key provincial units (e.g., violence prevention, housing, health, justice, child and family services).
• Align local coordination frameworks with provincial strategies, action plans, or multi-year funding envelopes where available.
• Use standardized language and indicators to facilitate aggregation of data at the provincial level.
• Maintain channels for two-way communication to share emerging issues from rural and northern communities.
• Coordinate timelines for grant reporting and evaluation requirements across agencies when feasible.

Recommended Collaboration Mechanisms

• Provincial advisory tables
  • Winnipeg hub representatives and rural/northern delegates participate in provincial-level advisory groups.
  • Rotating representation to ensure broad regional input over time.
• Framework MOUs with provincial partners
  • High-level MOUs outlining roles of provincial bodies and community partners, without altering statutory responsibilities.
  • Annexes specifying Winnipeg hub functions, rural/remote pathways, and escalation channels.
• Shared evaluation frameworks
  • Common outcome measures and reporting templates to minimize duplication across funded projects.
  • Mechanisms for incorporating qualitative operational feedback from front-line teams.

Additional coordination resources within the broader national ecosystem, including examples of provincial collaboration structures, are available through the reference materials hosted at DV.Support.

Eligibility Requirements for Manitoba-Based Collaboration

Eligibility requirements vary by initiative, but Manitoba agencies can increase predictability by agreeing on core eligibility concepts for participation in Winnipeg-based hubs, rural consortia, and provincial projects.

Organizational Eligibility Criteria

• Operating as a legal entity (e.g., non-profit, registered charity, public agency, Indigenous government or organization) with authority to enter into agreements.
• Delivering services related to domestic or family violence, justice, housing, health, social services, or closely aligned areas.
• Maintaining policies on privacy, recordkeeping, and information management consistent with relevant Manitoba and federal requirements.
• Having designated staff or leadership responsible for interagency coordination and partnership management.
• Willingness to participate in shared planning, data discussions, and evaluation activities as defined in specific project agreements.

Project-Specific Participation Parameters

Specific initiatives (e.g., pilot projects, data collaboratives, joint outreach programs) may add further parameters, such as:

• Geographic scope (e.g., Winnipeg only, specified rural health region, northern Manitoba communities).
• Service focus (e.g., shelters, legal supports, cultural and community-based organizations, health providers).
• Minimum operational capacity (e.g., staffing levels, after-hours coverage, data entry capability).
• Agreement to use shared tools or protocols relevant to the project (e.g., standardized referral forms, common intake fields).
• Commitment to participate in scheduled coordination meetings and reporting cycles.

Documentation and MOUs

To formalize eligibility and expectations, participating agencies can:

• Develop standing MOUs for Winnipeg hub participation, with clear entry and exit processes for member agencies.
• Use project-specific addenda describing roles, deliverables, and data requirements for time-limited initiatives.
• Maintain an updated registry of participating agencies, including contact details and designated liaison staff.
• Review eligibility criteria on a regular cycle to reflect changes in capacity, funding, or provincial policy.

Manitoba Coordination Practice Notes

Manitoba partners can periodically review the following practice areas to sustain effective coordination across Winnipeg, rural, and remote contexts:

• Consistency of referral and feedback loops between Winnipeg hubs and rural/remote agencies.
• Inclusion of Indigenous-led and northern organizations as equal partners in planning and decision-making structures.
• Data quality, comparability, and shared interpretation across diverse service settings.
• Joint planning for emergent issues (e.g., sudden capacity constraints, new funding programs, policy changes).
• Mechanisms to document and communicate service gaps to provincial partners in a structured, evidence-informed manner.

Recommended Articles

• Coalition Frameworks for Multi-Agency Coordination
• Partnership Eligibility and Participation Standards
• Data Sharing and Information Management Models
• Rural and Remote Coordination Structures
• Aligning Local Initiatives with Provincial Strategies