Photo of children
Dr. Geoffrey Pawson
With profound sadness we announce the passing of Dr. Geoffrey Pawson on January 30, 2012. Husband to Barbara for 50 years; Father to Jane (David) Loblaw, Gord (Lori) Pawson, David Pawson, and Kate (Scott) Langen. He was an extremely proud Granddad to Rachel, Sydney and Chloe Langen and Demira and Darian Pawson. Brother to David (Doreen) Pawson and Lloyd (Angie) Pawson; brother-in-law to Roger & Vicki Hardage and Ann & Jim Stevens; and their families. Geoff is the founder of the Ranch Ehrlo Society and former Ehrlo Community Services. He was only 27 years of age when he opened the first group home with 6 youth. The agency has grown to currently serving 250 youth and families across Saskatchewan and Canada. There have been thousands of graduates of the program, many of whom continued to maintain contact. He received many honours throughout his career such as the Order of Canada in 2000, the Saskatchewan Order of Merit in 2001, the Family Service Canada Award in 2003, and an Honourary Doctorate of Law from the University of Regina in 2005. Geoff was an inspirational leader who had a tremendous impact at the local, provincial, national and international level for his unwavering commitment to youth. He had a gifted ability to create change, overcome obstacles, and challenge the status quo. He was a master problem-solver and visionary who was respected by his colleagues, employees, community, friends and family. Although Geoff will be profoundly missed, he has left a remarkable legacy. His mission and vision will live on at Ranch Ehrlo, as he laid a solid foundation to continue to improve upon meeting the needs and filling gaps for the most vulnerable members of our society. He truly left the world a better place. Donations can be made in Geoff's honor to the Dr. Geoffrey Pawson Education Scholarship. The purpose of this scholarship is to enable present and/or former residents of the Ranch Ehrlo Society and other deserving individuals to continue with Post-secondary and apprenticeship training. The focus is to improve the likelihood of long-term and continuous employment in the future of the recipients. A Memorial will be held on Friday February 17, 2012 at 7 pm at the Radisson Plaza Hotel Saskatchewan in the Grand Ballroom. An online book of condolences can be accessed at www.Ehrlo.com, as well as www.Facebook.com/RanchEhrlo. This is a wonderful way for the family to stay connected as they have yet to be able to return from Tucson AZ.

Press Releases - french

 
3rd National Symposium on Child & Youth Mental Health - Call for Abstracts
2011-11-29 14:39

The Planning Committee for the 3rd National Symposium on Child & Youth Mental Health invites submissions for oral and poster presentations. Oral presentations will focus on issues related to innovative child and youth mental health programs happening across Canada. More specifically, presentations should focus on initiatives that: 1) help to address access and wait times issues in child and youth mental health services, and 2) demonstrate innovation in the delivery of school-based mental health services.

Deadline for submissions is January 9, 2012

The 3rd National Symposium on Child & Youth Mental Health will be held from May 30- June 1, 2012 at the McEwan Centre in Calgary, AB.

Please click here for the Information Kit and Abstract Template.

For additional information, please contact the Child Welfare League of Canada at info@cwlc.ca.
CWLC Letter to the Editor
2011-07-19 13:36

On July 14, 2011, CWLC responded to a report of an opinion piece in a US medical journal that stated parents should lose custody of children who suffer from lifethreatening obesity. "The proposed solution of removal from the home is both unnecessarily alarmist and unhelpful in addressing realistic solutions to the problem," said Peter Dudding, CWLC's chief executive officer.

To read the full Letter to the Editor, please click here.

To read the original article from the Ottawa Citizen, please click here.
LBEC annonce les récipiendaires des Prix 2010 pour contribution exceptionnelle
2011-03-03 16:01

Galerie de photos

La LBEC a annoncé les lauréats de ses prix de distinction 2010 lors d’une réception qui eut lieu le jeudi 24 février à l’hôtel Château Laurier d’Ottawa. Animée par le chef de la direction de la LBEC, Peter Dudding, le gala des prix de distinction 2010 de la LBEC souligne la contribution des jeunes, des adultes et des groupes des divers secteurs du système de protection de l’enfance canadienne, qui ont accompli d’importantes réalisations afin d’aider les services de protection de l’enfance au Canada à atteindre ses objectifs.

« La LBEC croit fermement que c’est la dévouement remarquable des employés, parents de famille d’accueil, chercheurs, intervenants et jeunes gens qui fait la différence pour les enfants et les familles que nous servons», affirme Dudding. « Nous remercions également RBC pour sa générosité dans le cadre du financement du Prix Jeunesse pour contribution exceptionnelle RBC. RBC et la LBEC ont un but commun, soit la santé et le bien-être des enfants et des jeunes partout au Canada, et nous sommes très fiers de nous associer à eux pour remettre notre prix le plus prestigieux. »

Le Prix Jeunesse pour contribution exceptionnelle RBC 2010 offre une bourse d’études de 2 000 $ en plus des frais de déplacement et d’hébergement, ainsi qu’un chaperon, pour que le lauréat puisse assister à la cérémonie de remise de prix. Jeff Boyd, président régional du Nord et de l’Est de l’Ontario pour RBC, a remis le prix et la bourse au lauréat.

Les lauréats des cinq (5) prix annuels de la LBEC furent :

  • Défense des intérêts : Camil Picard, mis en nomination par le Centre de jeunesse de la Montérégie.
  • Parents de famille d’accueil : Anne Gagné et Gilles Tremblay, mis en nomination par le Centre jeunesse de Montréal – Institut universitaire.
  • Services aux enfants : John Gotowiec, mis en nomination par le Pacific Community Resources Society.
  • Excellence en recherche : Lil Tonmyr, mis en nomination par l’Agence de la santé publique du Canada.
  • Prix Jeunesse pour contribution exceptionnelle RBC: Sheila, 17 ans, mise en nomination par le ministère des Enfants et du Développement de la famille, équipe responsable de l’engagement des jeunes dans la région côtière de Vancouver.

Le discours-programme de la soirée fut prononcé par le Dr Ian Manion, directeur exécutif du Centre d’excellence de l’Ontario en santé mentale des enfants et des adolescents du CHEO (Centre hospitalier pour enfants de l’est de l’Ontario).

On présenta également durant la soirée une vidéo produite par Kinark Child and Family Services (www.SpeakingofKidsMentalHealth.ca), dont le groupe de jeunes a récemment remporté une compétition organisée sur YouTube par Santé mentale pour enfants Ontario afin de « changer la perception » de la santé mentale des enfants et des adolescents.

Vous trouverez des photos de l’événement sur le site de la LBEC sous la rubrique Événements/Prix pour contribution exceptionnelle : http://www.cwlc.ca/en/gallery/cwlc-2010-achievement-awards-reception?page=1
CWLC Quoted in Globe and Mail Editorial
2010-12-14 14:25

CWLC chief executive officer, Peter Dudding, was quoted in a Globe and Mail editorial on Saturday, December 12, 2010 in the article “Native children also have the right to parents”. The article discussed the disproportionate number of First Nations children within the foster care system in Canada, and the various care alternatives that could provide permanency for these children. To read the article, please click here: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/opinions/editorials/native-children-also-have-the-right-to-parents/article1833657/
RBC appui le Prix Jeunesse 2010 pour contribution exceptionnelle de la LBEC
2010-11-30 11:58

La Ligue pour le bien-être de l’enfance du Canada (LBEC) est fière d’annoncer que la Fondation RBC appuiera son Prix Jeunesse 2010 pour contribution exceptionnelle. Maintenant appelé Prix Jeunesse pour contribution exceptionnelle RBC, ce prix rend hommage à une jeune personne, âgée de moins de 21 ans, qui est actuellement ou qui a fait l’objet d’un placement, qui a fait des progrès personnels, qui s’est améliorée dans un domaine précis, qui a fait état d’une contribution positive envers d’autres jeunes, et qui a contribué à l’image positive de la jeunesse.

Le Prix Jeunesse pour contribution exceptionnelle RBC offre une nouvelle bourse d’études de 2 000 $ en plus des frais de déplacement et d’hébergement pour le lauréat et un chaperon, afin de lui permettre d’assister à la cérémonie de remise des prix à Ottawa le 24 février 2011. La bourse peut être utilisée pour des études à temps complet ou à temps partiel au sein d’un programme admissible, notamment les stages et autres programmes offerts par les écoles de métiers, les collèges, les universités, les CEGEP et autres institutions accréditées part le ministère des Ressources humaines et du développement social.

« La Fondation RBC et la LBEC ont un but commun : la santé et le bien-être des enfants et des jeunes partout au Canada », affirme Peter Dudding, chef de la direction de la LBEC. « Nous sommes très fiers de nous associer à la Fondation RBC relativement à notre prix le plus important, soit le Prix Jeunesse pour contribution exceptionnelle RBC. »

“RBC and CWLC are dedicated to promoting the well‐being and protection of vulnerable young people and we take great pride in celebrating those young people who overcome obstacles such as trauma, mental illness and other personal challenges,” says Frances Bedford-Jones, Manager, Strategic Programs, Fondation RBC.

Pour soumettre mettre en nomination un jeune qui a fait une différence au sein de votre communauté, veuillez visiter le site Web de la LBEC, sous l’onglet Événements, Prix pour contribution exceptionnelle. Le bureau de la LBEC doit avoir reçu tous les formulaires de nomination et documents à l’appui avant le 14 janvier 2011. Pour toutes questions, n’hésitez pas à nous contacter à info@cwlc.ca.
 

CWLC and CFFA Announce New Foster Parent Project

 

Support and resources focus of latest initiative

Ottawa – CWLC (Child Welfare League of Canada), in partnership with the Canadian Foster Family Association (CFFA), is pleased to launch its newest project, Every Child Matters: An Action Plan for Foster Parenting Abused and Neglected Children. This 3-year initiative will create opportunities for foster parents to access new information, resources and supports to improve their fostering experience.
 
“Foster children often have complex and challenging needs which require special attention and skills from their foster parents,” says Peter Dudding, Executive Director with CWLC. “There are problems in the current system with overcrowding, placement mismatches, lack of training and support, all of which can result in placement breakdown and harm for these children. Through this project CWLC, along with support from the Canadian Foster Family Association, will work with foster families to enhance some areas. There is a strong commitment by everyone involved to improve the quality of life and outcomes for children growing up in foster care.”
 
Sheila Durnford, current CFFA president, agrees. “Foster parents are involved with the system because they care about the most vulnerable children and youth but we do experience challenges with helping them. New resources and supports that help us develop as foster parents are really needed. We’re very happy with this project and we’re excited to get started.”
 
The new project, funded by the Government of Canada’s Social Development Partnerships Program, will also promote the sharing and interaction among child welfare organizations in the development of best practices for foster parent recruitment, retention, training and standards. CWLC will consult with the provinces and territories to develop a uniform data collection template to ensure consolidated information on fostering families.
 
“Families are the building blocks of our society and the Government of Canada partners with the provinces, territories, private sector and not-for-profit organizations to help families achieve their aspirations for a better and stronger future,” said the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development. “With our investment of almost $600,000, the government supports the Child Welfare League of Canada in their project that will make a big difference in the lives of many foster families.”
 
CWLC is a membership-based national organization dedicated to promoting the well-being and protection of vulnerable young people. CWLC plays a significant role in promoting best practices among those in the field of child welfare, child rights, children and youth mental health and youth justice.
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