Voice of the Child Reports
A Child’s Voice Matters: Learn how to conduct effective Voice of the Child Reports
Did you know that a child has a right to have their voice heard when important decisions are being made about them? This right is supported by the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, the Divorce Act in Canada, and in Ontario, the Children’s Law Reform Act and the Child Youth and Family Services Act.
When parents separate, involving children in family decision-making can be a complex exercise and must be approached with great sensitivity and care. A Voice of the Child Report is often helpful in obtaining the children’s views and preferences. Research has shown that Voice of the Child Reports help parents resolve their disputes and make child-centered decisions.
Voice of the Child Reports training will provide the tools and practical skills that lawyers and mental health professionals need to conduct Voice of the Child Reports and elevate the child’s voice for parents and other decision-makers in Court or in Alternative/Family Dispute Resolution. Our 3-day (21 hour) online comprehensive foundational training was co-developed with Debra Rodrigues, former Director of PCCS Mediators and Counsellors, and Dr. Dan Ashbourne, former Executive Director of the London Family Court Clinic, both now semi-retired (but still training).
Participants will have the opportunity to learn and apply concepts and skills through lectures, case studies, role plays, small and large group discussions, technology innovations, and problem-based learning. A brief list of topics covered over the three days is as follows:
Day 1: Models and approaches for bringing the child’s voice into Court and mediation; relevant legislation; risks and benefits of implementing the child’s participation rights; relevant Best Practices, Standards and Guidelines; outcome research; parent factors to consider; parent readiness and consent.
Day 2: Ages and stages of child development; children’s needs through separation/divorce; child interviewing within the legal context; confidentiality and consent; identifying the least intrusive approach; process for interviewing the children directly; tools and tips for interviewing; cultural and diversity considerations.
Day 3: Implementing participation rights for neurodiverse children; managing sibling groups; mandatory reporting; ethical decision-making and dilemmas; roles and boundaries; managing difficult family dynamics including domestic violence or parent-child contact problems; providing feedback to parents; file management.
Learning Objectives:
- Discover the 12-step process for Voice of the Child Reports.
- Learn critical and pertinent concepts in child development, children’s communication, and children’s special needs.
- Develop and practice skills for interviewing children in the legal context.
- Understand parent readiness and learn to provide parent feedback.
- Develop strategies for risk mitigation and managing the process.
- Hear about the legislation, guidelines, and research that support the work.
What else do you get with our training:
- Registration for the training is limited in order for us to meet the needs of each trainee in a small class setting.
- Access to trainers for future consultation as you begin to undertake the work.
- A certificate of completion.
- Training updates and continuing education.
- An opportunity to join the roster of professionals who are trained VoC practitioners. You can connect and refer to each other. Also, the public and other professionals can find you.
Professionals across Canada and internationally have completed our training in Voice of the Child Reports. This is what they had to say:
“The trainers were amazing. So much knowledge imparted, and they made it easy to learn while helping us keep in mind our boundaries in this role.”
“So much is included in the training. I especially appreciate the tools developed for every step.”
“Fantastic. I learned so much and feel confident to do this work.”
“By the end of the training and given my professional background, I felt confident enough to add VCRs to my own repertoire of services.”
“Overall, the 12-Step VCR training was very comprehensive. I think it includes all the steps and considerations a practitioner needs to follow. It was also helpful that the trainers provided all the forms needed for completion of the process. The guest speakers, the practitioners, researchers, and judges were very helpful, too. The training covers the entire process of the VCR and the interviewing skills and techniques. All the trainers provided useful examples, tips and guidelines, including videos of how it should be done.”
“I think a VCR can provide professionals and parents with a glimpse into the life of the children as the children see it and experience it. That can be extremely valuable to both the parents and, when litigation is involved, the courts.”
“As I went through the training, I was reminded of the impact of separation and divorce on children. I believe that the VCR process provides parents with a useful non-biased option to better understand their children when parents need to make decisions in the children’s best interest.”
“The trainers really want to help you and offer supervision.”
Roster of Voice of the Child Professionals
It is important for the public and referring professionals to be able to find trained practitioners to obtain the Voice of the Child. The professionals listed on our roster have taken our foundational training.
This roster can also be used by Voice of the Child practitioners to learn about others in their area providing the service, to cross-refer, and for consultation.
This roster does not vet, qualify, or regulate the professionals listed. NavOn is not responsible for the quality of anyone’s work or complaints made against anyone on the roster. Any complaints should be directed to that professional’s licensing body or professional association.
Trainers / Supervisors / Practitioners
Dan Ashbourne
Specialties
Psychology, VOC Trainer, CIM Trainer
Qualifications
Ph.D., C. Psych., AccFM
Areas
London and Surrounding Area
Ages
All
Contact
519-679-7250 Ext. 107
Kim Harris
Specialties
Psychology, VOC Trainer, CIM Trainer
Areas
London and Surrounding Area
Ages
All
Contact
Debra S. Rodrigues
Specialties
Social Worker, Mediator, Counsellor, VOC Trainer, CIM Trainer
Qualifications
Hons. BA/BSW, RSW, Acc. F.M., Acc. CP Med., Acc. Elder Med.
Areas
Peel, Halton, Wellington Regions
Ages
All
Contact
Practitioners
Jennifer Barkin
Specialties
Mediation, Social Work, Diversity, Special Needs Children
Qualifications
BA, BSW, MSW, RSW, CDC, Acc. F.M.
Areas
Toronto: GTA
Ages
All
Other languages
Intermediate Hebrew
Contact
Sherry Barrett
Specialties
MSW student; mental health
Areas
GTA
Ages
All
Contact
Kathy Batycky
Specialties
lawyer
Areas
Hamilton; halton
Ages
10 up
Contact
Kavita Bhagat
Specialties
Lawyer
Qualifications
B.A. Psych., L.LB, L.LM., Cert. Spec. LSO, Acc. F.M. OAFM
Areas
Peel
Ages
All
Other languages
Punjabi, Urdu, Hindi, Tamil, Malayalam, Kannada
Contact
Jacqueline Bobyk-Krumins
Specialties
IPV
Qualifications
MSW RSW
Areas
Ontario
Ages
7+
Contact
Stacey Brion
Specialties
Child Therapy, Divorce Counselling, Parenting Plans, Couples Counselling
Qualifications
Psychotherapist
Areas
Toronto
Ages
5-18
Contact
Gail Brochu
Specialties
Adoption, Mediation, Court, Mental Health
Areas
Toronto; Peel; York
Ages
All
Other languages
French
Contact
Carolyn Brown
Specialties
Over 18 years experience interviewing and meeting with children
Qualifications
B.A., AccFM(OAFM)
Areas
Southwest Ontario
Ages
5-17
Contact
Julie Cho
Specialties
Family Law Lawyer + Mediator
Qualifications
B.Sc (Hons), J.D. (Barrister and Solicitor)
Areas
Greater Toronto Area/York Region, Ontario
Ages
7-16
Contact
Laura Cochrane
Specialties
Family Mediation, Child Inclusive Mediation, Voice of the Child Reports
Qualifications
B.A. (Hons), AccFM
Areas
Hamilton and surrounding area, Any area virtually
Ages
All
Contact
Sherri Cully
Specialties
Mediation, Separation Divorce, Voice of the Child, Child Inclusive Mediation
Qualifications
B.A. Psych, AccFM, FDRP. Med, VOC Practitioner
Areas
Hamilton, GTHA
Ages
7+
Contact
Paula De Vetto
Specialties
Social Worker, Mediator, CP Mediation, OCL, Parenting Coordinator, RE-Integration Counselling, Counselling
Qualifications
MSW, RSW, Acc. F.M, CP Med.
Areas
London and surrounding area
Ages
All
Contact
Erica Eugenio
Specialties
Social Worker, Therapist, Family Mediator, VOC and VCR
Qualifications
MSW, RSW
Areas
Guelph, Virtual
Ages
All
Contact
Caroline Felstiner
Specialties
Mediation , Child Protection Mediation
Qualifications
MSW
Areas
Greater Toronto Area , Ontario
Ages
8 years and older
Contact
Mandy Folwer
Specialties
AccFM, CPMed
Qualifications
B.A., BSW., AccFM, CPMed, VCR Practitioner
Areas
Ontario
Ages
All ages
Other languages
French
Contact
Kristen L. Hales
Specialties
Family Mediation; Family Arbitration; Family Law
Qualifications
B.A., LL.B.
Areas
ON
Ages
All
Contact
Tina Hinsperger
Specialties
Social Worker, Family Mediator, Child-Inclusive Mediator, Clinician with the Office of the Children’s Lawyer
Qualifications
BSc, BSW, RSW, Acc FM, FDRP Med, ODR Specialist
Areas
Dufferin, Peel, Simcoe, Grey, Wellington
Ages
All
Contact
Cindy Holovac Leithead
Specialties
Family Mediator – specializing in Parenting Plans, Instructor
Qualifications
BA(Hons), M.C.A., Acc. F.M., Acc.Elder Med., CP Med., Openness in Adoption Mediator
Areas
Toronto and GTA
Ages
All
Contact
Jane Howlett
Specialties
Trained parenting coordinator, child inclusive mediator & child protection mediator
Qualifications
BSW, LLB, Acc FM, FDRP Med, CP Med
Areas
Ontario
Ages
All
Contact
Strybos Jacqueline
Specialties
Lawyer
Qualifications
Lawyer
Areas
Timmons; Cochrane; Kapuskasing; Kickland Lake; Haileybury
Ages
All
Contact
Christopher Knowles
Specialties
OCL Panel; Child Protection
Qualifications
Lawyer/OCL Panel
Areas
Essex; Lambton; Kent; LondonMiddlesex
Ages
All
Other languages
French
Contact
Daniel Lanoue
Specialties
Family Court Mediator; Social Worker; PC;
Qualifications
B.A. (Hons. Psych) M.S.W. R.S.W Acc.FM C.P.Med
Areas
OttawaCarleton, Renfrew & Lanark counties
Ages
All
Contact
Heather MacInnis
Specialties
OCL; MSW; Mediation
Areas
Toronto; Durham
Ages
All
Contact
Carolyn McAlpine
Specialties
Family mediator specializing in parenting plans, social worker, reconciliation therapy, ability to work effectively with counsel in context of mediation/court/collaborative law
Qualifications
ACC.FM,RSSW
Areas
KawarthaHaliburton, Durham and surrounding areas, Cobourg and surrounding areas
Ages
All
Contact
Shelby McCaw
Specialties
Family Mediation, Co-Parenting Coaching, CLRA Section 30 Assessments
Qualifications
B.A. Psych. Child Development Specialization, AccFM
Areas
Burlington and Oakville
Ages
All
Contact
Willow McLean
Specialties
Mediation, Family and Child Wellbeing, Social Work
Qualifications
MSW, RSW
Areas
Nova Scotia
Ages
6-18
Contact
Shannon More
Specialties
Family Law Lawyer
Areas
Barrie; Newmarket
Ages
All
Contact
Drew Morrision
Specialties
At-Risk Youth
Qualifications
MSW, RSW, LICSW
Areas
London, Ontario
Ages
Youth
Contact
Ritika Narang
Specialties
Lawyer
Areas
n/a
Ages
12 up
Other languages
Punjabi, Urdu, Hindi
Contact
Chantel Oshowy-Carvallo
Specialties
Legal Panel for the OCL
Qualifications
Family Lawyer
Areas
Eastern Ontario
Ages
Ages 7-18
Contact
Sandi Sherk
Specialties
Counselling; private practitioner
Qualifications
MSW, RSW
Areas
Cambridge; KitchenerWaterloo; Brantford; Woodstock; Stratford; HaldimandNorfolk; Dundas
Ages
7 and up
Contact
Aubrey J. Sherman
Specialties
Family/Divorce Mediation; Child-Inclusive Mediation; Intergenerational (Elder) Mediation; Online Dispute Resolution
Qualifications
B.A., LL.B., AccFM, AccIM, CODR, Certs. Mediation/Conflict Management – Harvard Law School PON & Conrad Grebel University College/University of Waterloo
Areas
Kitchener-Waterloo, Cambridge, Guelph, Hamilton, London – Available online throughout Ontario
Ages
All
Contact
Gabbi Silverberg
Specialties
Social worker, trauma, high conflict, CAS and mental health
Qualifications
BA, BSW, RSW
Areas
GTA Ontario
Ages
7 and up
Contact
Age Smies
Specialties
Parenting and Education Planning, New Ways for Life and New Ways for Families
Qualifications
CD, MMus, BEd, AccFM, CPMed, FGC, Openness Adoption Specialist, QMed
Areas
Kawarthas, Hastings County, Northumberland, Peterborough, Durham and online
Ages
n/a
Contact
Jane Thurber
Specialties
Lawyer
Areas
Kingston; Belleville; Napanee; Brockville; Perth
Ages
All
Contact
Janet Trichilo
Specialties
Exp. Children; special needs; at risk youth
Areas
Barrie; Collingwood; Wasga; Bradford; Orillia
Ages
All
Contact
Eric Vallillee
Specialties
Family Law, Children's Law, OCL, Separation/Divorce, Child Protection and Adoption
Qualifications
B.A. (Law), J.D. Barrister & Solicitor (LSO/Ont)
Areas
London, St. Thomas, and Southwest Ontario
Ages
All
Contact
Julie Verbitsky
Specialties
adolescents; diversity; mental health
Areas
Hamilton Area
Ages
All
Contact
Juanita Wilson
Specialties
Psychotherapist Clinical Social Worker
Qualifications
RSW CCC
Areas
MB
Ages
All
Contact
Join the Voice of the Child Practitioners Roster
Listing your name on the roster is a great opportunity to let the public and your colleagues know that you are trained to provide Voice of the Child Reports. We are constantly referring clients, lawyers, and mental health professionals to the roster so that they can connect with a trained Voice of the Child practitioner in their community.