Advancing racial justice in Canada’s criminal justice system.
The Viola Desmond Justice Institute strengthens access to Impact of Race and Culture Assessments, builds practitioner capacity, advances public education, and advocates for systemic change addressing anti-Black racism in the justice system.
Training
Building capacity for more equitable
and informed practice.
IRCA Assessor Training
We offer English and French IRCA Assessor training to advance the quality, integrity and influence of Impact of Race and Culture Assessments.
Our training is designed for qualified graduate-level clinicians and builds skills in IRCA writing alongside a deeper understanding of race, culture and systemic bias in the legal system.
The accreditation program includes:
- Structured Curriculum
- Accreditation
- Comprehensive Training Materials and Content
- Expert Contributions
- In-Depth Modules
- Resource Library
Training & Accreditation Details
Open a topic to learn more about the program.
Who can become an IRCA Assessor?
To become an IRCA Assessor with VDJI, you must be recognized as a clinician registered with a clinical order and possess a graduate-level (Master's or PhD) degree. You must also have:
- Successfully completed IRCA Assessor Training;
- Been trained or mentored by Natalie Hodgson;
- Obtained the Dalhousie University IRCA Assessor Microcredential
Contact us if you are interested in becoming a microcredentialed IRCA Assessor.
Contact VDJI about assessor accreditationOur training approach
The Viola Desmond Justice Institute is committed to advancing the quality, integrity, and influence of Impact of Race and Culture Assessments (IRCAs) through a comprehensive training program. This program is designed to accredit new IRCA Assessors with the Dalhousie University IRCA Assessor Microcredential, ensuring they are equipped with the knowledge, skills, and sensitivity required to produce assessments that are insightful, impactful, and instrumental in promoting justice.
The primary goal of the training program is to train IRCA assessors who are both skilled in writing and deeply attuned to the complexities of race, culture, mental health, trauma, and systemic bias in the legal system.
The Dalhousie University Microcredential IRCA Assessor Training is designed to evolve continually, incorporating new research, legal developments, and feedback from past participants. This ensures that the training remains relevant, effective, and aligned with the best practices in the field.
The Dalhousie University Microcredential IRCA Assessor Training embodies our commitment to excellence, education, and empowerment in the field of IRCA writing. By providing rigorous and comprehensive training, we aim to equip a new generation of IRCA assessors with the tools they need to produce high quality IRCAs.
English and French training
Language Inclusivity: Recognizing the linguistic diversity of Canada and the importance of accessibility, the training program is designed to be offered in both English and French. Separate trainings ensure that all participants can engage fully and benefit from the program in the language they are most comfortable with.
Cultural Competency: The inclusion of both English and French training options not only caters to linguistic preferences but also aligns with our commitment to cultural competency. It ensures that IRCA assessors can effectively communicate and address the cultural and linguistic nuances relevant to the populations they serve.
Training Opportunities
Contact us if you are interested in becoming a microcredentialed IRCA Assessor. Register your interest to learn more about training and accreditation.
Register Your InterestEducation for Communities and Practitioners
VDJI’s education and advocacy work promotes awareness of anti-Black racism and systemic issues in the legal system. Our initiatives include educational materials and position papers highlighting the importance of culturally informed legal practices.
Explore Education & Advocacy-
Mandate, Mission, Vision, & Values
The Viola Desmond Justice Institute (VDJI) is a bilingual B3 service delivery organization dedicated to fostering an equitable criminal justice system in Canada through addressing institutional anti-Black racism and promoting an understanding of the impact of race and culture. VDJI supports the provision, management, and evolution of Impact of Race and Culture Assessments (IRCAs) through the training and mentorship of IRCA Assessors, enhancing the quality and accessibility of IRCAs, and advocating against systemic anti-Black racism.
VDJI is dedicated to justice, education and racial and cultural competence in understanding systemic anti-Black racism. At VDJI, we seek to create meaningful impact and equitable justice for Black individuals involved with the law, with the objective of honouring Viola Desmond’s legacy and the values she stood for: a social and legal landscape free from racial discrimination and systemic barriers.
Viola Desmond
In 1946, Halifax businesswoman Viola Desmond confronted the racism that African Nova Scotians routinely faced when she refused to move from her seat in the “whites-only” section of the Roseland Theatre. For this, she was arrested, jailed overnight, and fined. Her unsuccessful appeal to the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia attracted national attention. It confirmed for African-Canadians that the law did not protect them and sparked their activism. Desmond’s resistance to racial discrimination was an important milestone in Canada’s human rights history and an inspiration for the civil rights movement in this country.