Workshops
Understanding
Care in a Long-Term Care Home
Date: Tuesday, November 22
Time: 12:00 to 1:30 p.m.
Location: UTM, Dean's Lounge in North Building, Room 262
Are you concerned about an elderly family member in a long-term care
home? Do you have questions regarding quality of care? Are you in need
of guidance and support?
Join Phyllis Hymmen of Concerned Friends of Ontario Citizens in Care
Facilities for an informative and interactive workshop. The following
topics will be discussed:
- Recent changes affecting the quality of care in Ontario's long-term
care homes
- Rights and responsibilities within the long-term care system
- Strategies and suggestions to help family members advocate for improved quality of care
- Resources within the system to help
Concerned Friends of Ontario Citizens in Care Facilities is a non-profit
corporation and registered charity dedicated to reform of the long-term
care system and improvement of quality of life for residents.
Please register early, space is limited! All students, staff, faculty
and postdoctoral fellows are welcome.
Register
"Stuck in
the Middle": Managing Multiple Responsibilities (Students Only)
Date: Thursday, November 24
Time: 12:00 to 2:00 p.m.
Location: Grad Room, 66 Harbord St.
"Stuck in the Middle" is a self-discovery session on dealing
with constant challenges of having family responsibilities, working and
being a student.
This self-awareness session will help you understand the feelings of
guilt that arise when juggling your role as a student and not always having
enough time to spend with your children and/or your loved ones. It's for
everyone who feels overwhelmed.
Most of the exercises are done in pairs and within the group. In this
session you will discover your patterns of 'stuckness' and learn to convert
feelings of being overwhelmed into action, energy and change.
Facilitator: Anna Wesolinska is a Gestalt psychotherapist who has a private practice
and has been running workshops at the Gestalt Institute of Toronto, the
North York Women's Centre, and the Family Care Office.
Doctoral stream students can take this course as part of the GPS Program.
GPS is an initiative from the School of Graduate Studies that comprises
a variety of offerings that provide students a full range of optional
opportunities for professional skills development at University of Toronto.
Your successful completion of GPS will be recognized by a transcript notation.
Register
Parenting
Adult Children – What would Dr. Spock say?
Date: Thursday, November 24
Time: 12:30 to 2:00 p.m.
Location: UTSC, Council Chambers, AA160
Dr. Spock had much to say about toilet training, when to add solid food,
and when to let our children cry. But most of the parent educators go
silent after the teen years. Whether they remain in the nest, come and
go, or have moved on, we remain parents to our adult children.
The goal of this session is:
- Explore, developmentally, what is going on in the lives of our adult
children
- Examine what we can expect in our lives as this occurs, both individually and in our relationships
- Discuss parenting strategies that are helpful
- Discuss challenging situations and how to deal with them
Facilitator: Lynne Mitchell is a registered social worker with 25 years of experience.
She conducts a private practice for individuals, couples and families
and facilitates workshops both in the community and the private sector.
Please register early, space is limited! All students, staff, faculty
and postdoctoral fellows are welcome. To register please call
(416) 978-0951.
Family
Law: Custody, Access & Child Support
Date: Friday, November 25
Time: 12:00 to 2:00 p.m.
Location: 214 College St., Room 313
Learn the basics of Family Law and what is involved in child support,
custody claims, and access:
- What is custody and different types of custody, what happens when
parents do/do not agree, what courts look at in determining custody?
- What is access?
- Who is obligated to pay child support, how is the amount calculated,
how long it lasts, when and how can you apply for it, how is it enforced?
Q & A session will follow.
Facilitator: Downtown Legal Services
Please register early, space is limited! All students, staff, faculty
and postdoctoral fellows are welcome.
Register
Increase
Your Cultural Fluency – A Key to an Effective Transition to Your
New Life in Canada
Date: Monday, November 28
Time: 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Location: ODLC, 215 Huron St., 6th Floor
Although many newcomers to Canada have a high level of English proficiency
and extensive professional experience, they face barriers in finding suitable
employment and adapting to a new life in general. The evidence shows that
a newcomer's "cultural fluency" has a great impact on the individual's
transition and how well they adapt to a new country. In this session, the presenter
will provide insightful observations and clear analysis on how cultural
values and assumptions influence people's perspectives, communication
and behavior. The presenter will also share strategies on how to improve
your cultural fluency in Canada so you can communicate and work more effectively
in the Canadian context.
Presenter
Ben Yang came to Canada from Beijing China as a graduate student at OISE/UT
over 20 years ago, and has had first-hand experience of adapting to a
different cultural and academic environment. Currently, he is the Executive
Director, International Education and Training at Georgian College in
Barrie, Ontario.
He is a frequent presenter on globalization, cross-cultural communication
and career development, and has been teaching as an instructor for the
International Educator Training Program (IETP) at Queens' University for
the past 9 years.
Please register early, space is limited! All students, staff, faculty
and postdoctoral fellows are welcome.
Register
Mindfulness
for Children & Families
Session One
Date: Tuesday November 29
Time: 12:00 to 1:30 p.m.
Location: CIE, 33 St. George Street, Cumberland Room
Session Two
Date: Friday December 9
Time: 10:00 to 11:30 a.m.
Location: CIE, 33 St. George Street, Cumberland Room
In this 2-part workshop, participants will learn about developing a mindfulness
practice for the whole family.
In the first session, parents will be introduced to mindfulness, ways
they can share mindfulness practice with their children and how to develop
an ongoing practice with their children.
In the second session, children and parents together will learn about
mindfulness and a range of ways to practice together at home. The practices
are playful, fun and engaging for children; all the while teaching important
skills such as awareness of thoughts & feelings, slowing down, paying
full attention to tasks, body awareness, gratitude and compassion. Participants
will receive information about resources to support their practice.
Facilitator: Sara Marlowe, MSW, RSW, is a clinical social worker in both community-based
and independent practice, where she incorporates mindfulness into her
work with children and adults. She also teaches regularly at Ryerson University
in Early Childhood Education.
Please register early, space is limited! All students, staff, faculty
and postdoctoral fellows are welcome.
Register
Managing
Flexible Work Arrangements to Deal with Family Concerns (POSTPONED - JANUARY 17, 2012)
Date: Friday, December 2
Time: 12:00 to 1:30 p.m.
Location: ODLC, 215 Huron St., 6th Floor
Are you returning from a maternity leave or taking care of young children
and are thinking of a different work arrangement? Perhaps you are caring
for an aging relative and realize you just don't have enough time in the
day to handle all your responsibilities. Attending this session will help
staff understand:
- The different types of flexible work arrangements that may be possible
for staff
- How appropriate flexible work arrangements can be put in place (case
study examples will be used)
- How you would proceed to request a flexible work arrangement for yourself
Facilitators: Teresa Scannell, Career/Work-Life Consultant; Kaye Francis,
Manager, FCO Office
Please register early, space is limited! All staff are welcome.
Register
Maternity/Parental/Adoption/Primary
Caregiver Leave Planning Seminar
– Faculty Only Dates –
Mondays, December 5
Mondays, February 6, April 2, June 4, August 14 (2012)
Time: 12:00 to 2:00 pm
– Staff Only Dates –
Tuesdays, December 6
February 9, March 9, April 10, June 5, August 14 (2012)
Time: 12:00 to 2:00 pm
Please register early. Registration closes 1 week
prior to each workshop.
Becoming a parent is one of the most monumental experiences in a person's life. Unfortunately, children do not come with foolproof instructions!
Combining a career and family life presents special challenges. This workshop adopts a highly practical approach to preparing faculty, staff and librarians for maternity / parental / and adoption leave, and for a successful return to work. While you may attend the seminar at any point during your pregnancy or adoption process, the ideal time is two months prior to the arrival of your child. Topics will include:
- Forms and more forms - a guide to government maternity / parental benefits & U of T policies
- Planning your return to work
- Resources on campus and in the community that will make your life easier
- Do we really need all that equipment? - a guide to baby paraphernalia
- Helping older children and pets to adjust
- Enjoying it all!
Register
How
to Choose the Right Elementary School for Your Child with Special Needs
Date: Monday, December 5
Time: 4:00 to 5:30 p.m.
Location: 214 College St., Rm 313
This session will help parents determine what factors should be taken
into account when choosing an elementary school to enable children to
reach their full learning potential.
In this session you will:
- Learn about how the Toronto District School Board works to accommodate
childrens special needs both in a variety of mainstream classroom environments
and in Intensive Support programs;
- Find out how to work with the school if your child has special needs
or needs extra resource help.
Panelists: Karen Falconer, TDSB Superintendent; Cindy Jaques, TDSB Coordinator
(Acting), Low Incidence Special Education; and Dr. Mary Pugh, U of T Faculty, Special Needs Parent and Member of the TCDSB Special Education Advisory Committee
Please register early, space is limited! All students, staff, faculty and postdoctoral fellows are welcome. To register please call
(416) 978-0951 or email family.care@utoronto.ca
Choosing Childcare That Works for Your
Family
Date: Thursday, December 8
Time: 12:00 to 1:30 p.m.
Location: 214 College St., Room 313
A practical session to help you choose the child care option that will best meet the needs of your family. At this session you will:
- Find out what are the childcare options available
- Learn what factors to consider when looking at options, choices, and caregivers
- Learn how to find a childcare centre and individual caregivers
- Find out about the financial assistance available and waiting lists
Facilitator: Maria Jardim is the Information and Outreach Coordinator
for the Family Care Office.
Please register early, space is limited! All students, staff, faculty
and postdoctoral fellows are welcome.
Register
Seniors
and Safety in the Home
Date: Monday, December 12
Time: 12:00 to 1:30 p.m.
Location: 214 College St., Room 313
Occupational therapists from VHA Rehab Solutions, a community based organization
providing rehabilitation services to adults in their home will provide
a presentation that will include the following:
- Signs a caregiver should be looking for to determine a senior's safety
- Assessing the need for assistive devices, mobility devices, home renovations
and the services of a professional
- Helpful commercial products versus prescribed devices and funding
sources
- Where to get advice and practical assistance and what help is out
there and how to get the right help
Facilitators: Morgan Gadsby MSc OT Reg. (Ont.) and Andrea Cook OT Reg (Ont) are the
Clinical Leads for Physical Medicine in the Toronto Central area, for
which they orient new hires, act as mentors, and provide team support.
They are also both active supporters of the student program and have taken
on numerous University of Toronto OT students.
Please register early, space is limited! All students, staff, faculty
and postdoctoral fellows are welcome.
Register
Elder
Care: Coping with Change and Loss
Date: Thursday, December 15
Time: 12:00 to 1:30 p.m.
Location: UTSC, Council Chamber, AA160
As seniors age, they experience a number of losses. Concerned family
and friends simultaneously experience loss, and both seniors and caregivers
have to find ways to cope with these changes.
This interactive workshop will address these losses, and examine their
impact on the family. Coping strategies for adapting to change will be
offered.
Facilitator: Lynne Gallagher B.A., B.S.W., M.S.W., R.S.W. is a social
worker and the Coordinator of Caregiver Education Programs for Family
Service Toronto. She provides workshops on caregiving, aging, work and family
issues, as well as individual and group counselling to seniors and caregivers.
Register
Elder
Care: Understanding Canada's Retirement Income System – Canada Pension
Plan and Old Age Security
Date: Wednesday, March 7, 2012
Time: 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Location: AA160 (Council Chambers), University of Toronto Scarborough
In this session, a representative from Service Canada will provide an
overview of Canada's Pension Plan and Old Age Security. She will review
eligibility requirements, the application process, and what your entitlements
are. This session would be of benefit to those who may be retiring shortly
or for individuals who may be caring for an aging relative who is entitled
to these benefits.
By the end of this session you will understand how Canada's retirement
income system is structured, what an individual is entitled to through
CPP and OAS and what you need to do to receive these benefits.
The facilitator will also be available for questions after the session.
Facilitator: Sarita Censoni is a Public Liaison Officer with Service
Canada
Register