Presentations

Building a Bigger Wave-Strengthening our Approach to Gender-Based Violence
Margaret MacPherson, M.A., Research Associate
Centre for Research and Education on Violence Against Women and Children
Western University

Gender-based violence (GBV) is a widespread issue that requires a coordinated and informed response. This workshop is designed specifically for professionals in Parenting Time programs, focusing on their unique role in addressing GBV. Participants will explore effective strategies to prevent and respond to GBV within the context of Parenting Time programs. Attendees will examine the dynamics of power, control, and societal norms that perpetuate violence while also learning how their programs can help ensure safety for survivors and children and accountability for perpetrators.

Margaret has been leading social change initiatives on gender-based violence for over twenty years. She designs projects, curriculum, and related materials for CREVAWC initiatives including elder abuse, community coordination, workplace domestic violence, sexual harassment and violence, and exploitation. Margaret also convenes the Building a Bigger Wave network, a provincial network of Violence Against Women Coordinating Committees. She is passionate in her belief that everyone has an important contribution to make in creating safe and supportive environments at work and in our communities.

 

Why Won’t She Leave?: Shifting the Focus After All These Years
The Honorable Judge Victor Reyes
Mahakaruna Holistic Foundation

In this interactive session, developed in collaboration with domestic violence survivors currently incarcerated, we will explore the complex decision-making process faced by individuals subjected to coercive control by their abusers. Through immersive activities, participants will gain insight into how victims navigate various systems and challenges in their daily lives. Following this experience, we will engage in a discussion about the dynamics of coercive control and its profound impact on victims and their children.

Judge Reyes served as a District Judge from 1999-2014 in the 10th Judicial District located in Pueblo, Colo. He has presided over criminal, civil, county court appeals, probate, domestic, protection order, and juvenile, along with dependency, and neglect matters. Before becoming a judge, he served as a deputy state public defender for the State of Colorado. Judge Reyes also served as the judicial representative on the Colorado Domestic Violence Offender Management Board.

Before becoming a judge, he served as a Deputy State Public Defender for the State of Colorado for 15 years where he also provided training. From October 2021 through January 2023, Judge Reyes served as the Judge in Residence for the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges (NCJFCJ). At NCJFCJ, he was involved with the Judicial Wellness Initiative, specifically hosting the Monday Morning Moments Wellness webinars along with leading wellness sessions at conferences. Judge Reyes also participated in nationwide training, developing curriculum, and writing on all aspects of the law that impact children, their families, and victims of domestic violence. He has written presentations on Compassionate Leadership, Engaged Justice, and Implied Bias. Since 2002, Judge Reyes has facilitated international and nationwide training to a variety of groups and organizations on issues related to mindfulness, every aspect related to domestic violence, the effects of vicarious trauma on judicial officers, judicial leadership, and federal firearms legislation. He provided training on domestic violence for Colorado Judges and has testified before both houses of the Colorado Legislature on DV-related

Supportive Supervised Visitation for Families Impacted by Gender-Based Violence 
Joe Nullet, CAE, Executive Director  & Jennifer Garst, MSW, Director of Training and Development 
Supervised Visitation Network 

This workshop equips professionals with key skills to provide supportive supervised visitation for families affected by gender-based violence. Participants will learn to foster safe and positive parenting time, support both parents and create a child-centered environment. The session will also cover developing safety plans tailored to each family's needs, prioritizing the well-being of all members during visits.

Executive Director Joe Nullet, a graduate of Harvard University, has led the Supervised Visitation Network since December 2007. Before that he was the Executive Director of the Family Nurturing Center of Florida, a Supervised Visitation and Parent Education program in Jacksonville, Florida. During his tenure at FNC, he led the organization through an exciting growth period, helped reshape the organizational culture and design to better serve the needs of clients, and has served locally and nationally on numerous task forces, advisory boards, and collaborative partnerships as an expert in the field of supervised visitation and has trained providers in Great Britain, Japan, and Singapore. Joe also served on the statewide Committee that developed an innovative Supervised Visitation database and as a member of State of Florida Standards Committee that was formed as a result of legislation to establish statewide standards. Joe has completed Graduate Coursework at the Kennedy School of Government, a Nonprofit Executive Program at the Harvard Business School, as well as completing the Jessie Ball duPont Fund's Community Coaches Program.

Jennifer is a passionate advocate for families and a dedicated professional in the field of supervised visitation. Joining the SVN staff in 2017, Jennifer plays a crucial role in supporting supervised visitation professionals worldwide, ensuring they have the tools and knowledge to deliver child-focused, trauma-informed, and safe visitation and exchange services. As a respected member of the SVN community, Jennifer serves as faculty for the SVN credential training programs, contributing significantly to the learning and development of the membership. Her extensive background in non-profits spans over 15 years, including leading a domestic violence/child abuse-focused visitation center in Dallas, TX. 

Jennifer is a proud graduate with honors, with a bachelor's and master’s degrees in social work from the University of Texas-Arlington. She leverages her educational foundation to provide comprehensive training, education, and technical assistance to supervised visitation providers globally. In addition to her professional endeavors at SVN, Jennifer is also certified as a SAFE Home Study practitioner and completes home studies for families seeking to adopt from foster care. As an adoptive mom herself, Jennifer brings a unique and personal perspective to her work, further enriching her advocacy for the well-being of families and children.

Speed Learning

Designed to maximize learning in a short amount of time, Speed Learning Sessions offer attendees a dynamic and fast-paced educational experience. Each session provides focused, bite-sized presentations on key topics, allowing participants to explore a range of subjects in a condensed format. Presenters share essential insights, practical tools, and innovative strategies in rapid succession, offering a variety of perspectives and solutions.

Topic Include: 
Child Refusal: Christine Stark, Pathstone 
Virtually Speaking: Daniella Bozur, YWCA Hamilton
Mental Health: Jennifer Garst, MSW Supervised Visitation Network 
Community Collaboration: Cheryl Clarke Community Services of Belleville and District & Amanda Bruyns Merrymount Family Support and Crisis Centre
Family & Child Services: Angie Murphy The Rose Garden FSC
Policy Writing: Valya Roberts & Beth Pearson of Dalhousie Place 


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