PROGRAM GUIDE - American Humane Association

More documents

Recommendations

Info

$Marie Collins \$

Honouring the Circle, Connections and Wisdom Family Group Conferencing Where Child Abuse and Domestic Violence Intersect: Safety Planning for the Whole Family TRACK 3 Collaboration and Implementation Within and Across Systems LEVEL Intermediate Marilee Sherry and Denise Morton-Sayles, The Children’s Aid Society of Brant; and Sue Longtin, Nova Vita Domestic Violence Prevention Services, Brantford, ON, Canada This workshop will focus on using FGC in the context of the collaboration relationship between The Children’s Aid Society of Brant and Nova Vita Domestic Violence Prevention Services as a way to help create safety for the whole family. The workshop will also focus on how this collaborative relationship supports FGC with families who are involved in both services. FGC challenges the “safety is created through separating the victim and offender” paradigm. The facilitators will provide an overview of some of the dilemmas that both child welfare and domestic violence prevention services face and will discuss some of the benefits and challenges in using FGC where there is conflict between parents/ caregivers. Workers from Nova Vita Domestic Violence Prevention Services and from The Children’s Aid Society of Brant will share their experiences about using FGC. Key factors to consider when holding an FGC where there is conflict between parents/caregivers will be discussed, including identifying where the parent/caregiver fits on the continuum of violence and creating enough safety in the FGC circle for every participant to have a voice in addressing the issues the family is facing. Naming, Discussing and Exploring the Challenges within Family Group Conferencing TRACK 4 Implementation: Building a Strong and Sustainable Foundation LEVEL Intermediate Dana Gillespie Tozer and Christina Vengris, Catholic Family Services of Hamilton; and Shawn Chisholm, Children’s Aid Society of Hamilton, Hamilton, ON, Canada Conferencing is an Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) that is widely supported, extremely effective, and often adopted and integrated into standard child protection service delivery. Further, those who choose to engage in this work are frequently driven by passion for this model and its commitment to strengths-based, family-centred decision making. However, there have historically been and continue to be barriers, struggles, dynamics and hiccups that challenge this work and the ability of professionals to provide service under this model. This discussion group aims to facilitate dialogue about the challenges to FGC with the intent to validate, reflect, strategize and move forward and beyond these barriers in order to create a strong and sustainable foundation. 1 st Canadian Conference for Family Group Conferencing 10
Honouring the Circle, Connections and Wisdom From One Settler Society to Another: Family Group Conferencing and the Challenge of Anti-Native and Anti-Black Racism TRACK 5 Culture, Privilege, Bias and Power LEVEL Foundational Gordon Pon, Ryerson University, Toronto, ON, Canada; Doret Phillips and Kevin Gosine, Brock University, St. Catharines, ON, Canada FGC is increasing in popularity in Ontario child welfare practice. FGC is often viewed as an anti-oppressive way to respond to the racial disproportionality evidenced in the child welfare system, namely the over-representation of Aboriginal and black children in care of the child protection authorities. The facilitators contend that FGC is largely a social order perspective that does not adequately address structural issues such as white supremacy, anti-black racism and colonialism vis-à-vis child welfare in Canada. This workshop will introduce these concepts. The aim is to urge FGC to be more critical and responsive to structural forces that underpin racial disproportionality. Talking Together: Alternative Dispute Resolution in Nishnawbe Aski Nation TRACK 6 Aboriginal Practices LEVEL Foundational Celina Reitberger, Nishnawbe-Aski Legal Services Corporation (NALSC), Thunder Bay, ON, Canada Talking Together is a unique, culturally appropriate approach to mediating child welfare cases while preserving and healing the family unit. Since 2002, facilitators have used the circle effectively to allow parents, children, extended family, service providers and elders to come together in a non-judgmental forum. Once the issues the family faces have been identified in the first round, the facilitator will invite suggestions as to how to best address the challenges the family is facing. A plan will emerge that all parties agree to. Follow-up circles ensure that the plan is adhered to or altered to suit the ever-changing needs of the family. The best interests of the child remain paramount. Ganawendaasowin (Taking Care of Children in a Sacred Way) TRACK 6 Aboriginal Practices LEVEL Intermediate Lori Flinders, Shannon Blight and Sandra Stevens, Weechi-it-te-win Family Services, Fort Frances, ON, Canada Participants will gain an understanding of the healing powers of circle by engaging in a process of restorative practice rooted in traditional Anishinabe values and beliefs. The Anishinabe approach utilizes the four quadrants of the Medicine Wheel by ensuring that the body, mind, heart and spirit are taken care of during the circle process. This will be an interactive presentation that makes use of the sacred medicines and sacred items utilized for strength, support and good process. Presenters will engage participants in a process that benefits youth who are difficult to serve. The circle process utilized is inclusive and participants include child welfare workers, family members, clinicians, the youth and a chosen support person. 1 st Canadian Conference for Family Group Conferencing 11
Page 1 and 2: PROGRAM GUIDE Sunday, September 25
Page 3 and 4: Honouring the Circle, Connections a
Page 9: Honouring the Circle, Connections a

PROGRAM GUIDE - American Humane Association

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?