About Us

Our Role

The Ontario Community Justice Association (OCJA) is a non-profit organization representing providers of community justice programming throughout the province. It is comprised of professionals from across Ontario, employed by a community based organization affiliated with the justice system.

The OCJA is best known for its annual conference. Held in the fall of each year, and rotated through the OCJA regions, this two-day event gives those in attendance a forum to share best practices, goals and opportunities in community justice work. More than just a yearly conference, the OCJA is an association representing a network of community justice service providers sharing information and resources on a continual basis throughout the year. 

The OCJA Executive is comprised of a President, Vice-President, Treasurer, Secretary and Public Relations members. Additionally, one member from each geographic region attends the Executive meetings and represents all members from that region. The Regional Representatives are the conduit of information to flow from the Executive to the members. Regional Representatives notify members of minutes when they are posted, share timely information and put forth questions to the membership. These concerns then go to the Executive to inform decision-making.

The Executive meets six times per year and facilitates the following

OCJA Website: By ensuring the website is updated regularly, members have access to membership lists, minutes of meetings and other information. Members are encouraged to bookmark our website as a favourite and check it often.
 
Inclusion: The Executive is comprised of members working with youth, members working with adults and members working with both populations, in a variety of community based programs.

Best Practices: The OCJA had aided in the development of both the Adult CSO and Youth CSO standards over the past years. We have opportunities to share both program and policy development. 

Advocacy: The OCJA Executive advocates on behalf of its members regarding community justice issues.

Designated representatives from the OCJA Executive attend and are active participants on the following Committees/Panels/Groups:

Inter-Ministerial Panels: Designated representatives from the OCJA Executive participate actively in the Ministry of Correctional Services Assistant Deputy Minister's Advisory Council on Adult Correctional Issues and the Ministry of Children and Youth's Advisory Council on Youth Justice Issues. This representation ensures that all OCJA members are informed of arising issues and that OCJA member interests are advocated.