PROGRAM GUIDE - American Humane Association

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Honouring the Circle, Connections and Wisdom 1 st Canadian Conference for Family Group Conferencing: Honouring the Circle, Connections and Wisdom For almost 15 years, American Humane Association has been a leader in developing family group decision making (FGDM) as a system reform for promoting and supporting family and community involvement and leadership in decision making about children who need protection or care. We provide training and technical assistance, research and resources to communities implementing FGDM across the U.S., Canada and many of the other 23 countries implementing FGDM as a way to transform systems. Since 1912, the Ontario Association of Children’s Aid Societies (OARCAS) has represented Children’s Aid Societies in Ontario and provided service in the areas of government relations, communications, information management, education and training to advocate for the protection and well-being of children. OACAS is the voice of child welfare in Ontario. Canadian professionals have received ad hoc training in the provinces and have travelled to the U.S. to receive training and to attend the annual FGDM conference and skills institutes. At the June 2009 American Humane Association FGDM Conference., Canadian practitioners expressed an interest in a “made in Canada” conference. Many conversations with Canadian leaders in a variety of sectors about the desire for such an event ensued, and partnerships were formed across national and provincial boundaries in order to design this event. The result is a two-day conference, presented by American Humane Association and the Ontario Association of Children’s Aid Societies, in collaboration with The George Hull Centre. Special Collaborator: Purpose of the Conference Collectively, we view this conference as an opportunity to partner with international and national leaders, further learning about FGC and share the wisdom related to this type of service. With the widespread use of FGC throughout Canada, but the limited opportunities to dialogue across provinces or territories, this conference provides the opportunity to network and learn from one another within the Canadian context. We also see value in including the opportunity to showcase and extend learning opportunities about existing traditional models established in the Aboriginal communities of First Nations, Métis and Inuit Peoples similar to the foundations of FGC. Aboriginal approaches across North America, such as but not limited to original dispute resolution and talking circles, are included as a program stream. Simply put, Honouring the Circle, Connections and Wisdom is about professionals coming together, making connections between honoured traditions and emerging practice wisdom in working with children, families and their communities. The purposes of the conference are to: • Bring together professionals practicing or desiring to learn about FGC to expand knowledge of this system reform. • Increase knowledge about Aboriginal approaches in Ontario and other Canadian provinces, and their use in achieving culturally appropriate results for Aboriginal children and families, including those served by designated Aboriginal Children’s Aid Societies, and especially those served by non-Aboriginal agencies. • Introduce, share and develop skills and experience in FGC and Canadian First Nations, Métis and Inuit practices. 1 st Canadian Conference for Family Group Conferencing 2
Honouring the Circle, Connections and Wisdom History and Context: Family Group Conferencing/ FGDM in Canada The first Canadian initiative was a demonstration project in Newfoundland and Labrador in 1995- 1996 by Dr. Joan Pennell and Gale Burford at Memorial University. Their focus was on using FGDM for families who experienced domestic violence. In 1997, a pilot project was established in Calgary. Also in 1997, two family group conferencing (FGC) projects in Manitoba were established, one in Dauphin and one in Winnipeg, based at local friendship centres. FGC is currently being offered in four locations in Manitoba. In 2002, the first Canadian child welfare legislation on FGC was passed in British Columbia (Child, Family and Community Service Act, 1996) and in Newfoundland (Child, Youth and Family Services Act, 1998). British Columbia began using FGC in late 2002 and is now supported by both legislation and policy (Ministry of Children and Family Development, 2008). Newfoundland has not yet established an FGC practice. FGC projects have also been established in Alberta and Nova Scotia. New Brunswick enacted amendments to its child welfare legislation in 2009 (Family Services Act, 1983) requiring child protection services to consider FGC and FGC practice standards (Department of Social Development, 2008) as part of its system-wide reform of the child welfare service. Yukon passed new child welfare legislation (2008) which requires that a family be offered a family conference or other cooperative planning processes for children involved with child welfare services. As part of a provincial transformation of Child Welfare in 2006, the Province of Ontario proclaimed amendments to the Child and Family Services Act which required child protection agencies to consider using an alternative dispute resolution method that included FGC/ FGDM as an approved method. Since that time, FGC/FGDM service began to spread across Ontario. The FGC Ontario Provincial Resource was established at The George Hull Centre in 2006 to act as a provincial locus of expertise and best practice, overseeing model integrity, coordinating training to FGC service providers and community partners, and maintaining a roster of FGC coordinators, trainers and mentors. Indigenous Practices: While FGC has evolved as a disciple in North America, there are many indigenous practices that are part of original tradition and culture and have been used by First Nations for hundreds — if not thousands— of years. Much of this practice is similar to the origins of Family Group Decision Making, and included talking circles, healing circles and the use of stories and symbols. Across Canada Aboriginal peoples still use these practices to enable healing for children, families and communities. This conference incorporates many such practices and allows Indigenous peoples to share their unique helping practices with others including those who are practicing FGDM/FGC. The first FGC program launched in Ontario was the FGC Project of Toronto in 1998, at The George Hull Centre, in collaboration with child welfare and children mental health agencies, which is now well-established in the metro Toronto area. This was followed by a pilot project at The Children’s Aid Society of Brant in 2002, which developed into an established FGC/FGDM service. During 2004-2005, several other FGC/ FGDM services were established in London, Simcoe County and Sault Ste. Marie. 3 1 st Canadian Conference for Family Group Conferencing
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PROGRAM GUIDE - American Humane Association

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