Overview

Safeguards Training for Children and Adult Services is a unique training program that began in 1995 as a joint training project by five provincial associations in Ontario. It was designed to meet the highly specialized training needs of staff serving vulnerable children, youth, adults and families in Ontario.

To remain responsive to changing training needs and evidence-based practice training, Safeguards develops customized and in-service training and a new provincial training program each year.

Now close to 20,000 staff from over 360 agencies across Ontario are affiliated with Safeguards' five association partners and many other organizations participate in the training. People attending training work in: children's mental health centres, residential treatment facilities, group homes, foster care, associations for community living, native child and family services, abuse programs, maternity homes, children's aid societies, detention facilities, custody and observation homes, schools, hospitals and private practice.

Mandate

Safeguards' mandate is to provide state-of-the-art training and resources to improve the well-being of vulnerable children, youth and families within the province. Safeguards' goal is to strengthen the capacity of the children and adult service sectors in Ontario through the delivery of unique, leading-edge training based on the latest research, clinical developments, therapeutic approaches and best practices.

Safeguards specializes in training related to abuse prevention, assessment, treatment and the related effects of abuse.

Partners

Safeguards’ five association partners are:

Children's Mental Health Ontario (http://www.kidsmentalhealth.ca/)

Ontario Association of Child, Youth and Young Parent Centres (http://www.ontchildypro.ca/)

Community Living Ontario (http://www.communitylivingontario.ca/)

Ontario Association of Residences Treating Youth (http://www.oarty.net/)

Association of Native Child and Family Services Agencies of Ontario (http://www.nativecfs.org)

The decision to create such a partnership in 1995 was ground-breaking and it has caused a positive ripple effect at both the provincial and local level. Collaboration amongst associations continues to increase on a number of fronts including: research, advocacy, policy development and conferences. Local training gives staff from various agencies the chance to meet in an informal manner and subsequently many local partnerships and shared resources have developed.

Safeguards grew from a training project to a permanent training program and incorporated as a not-for-profit corporation in 2004 with full support from the association partners. Each association nominates two representatives to sit on the on Safeguards’ Board of Directors. These representatives ensure training meets the needs of their sector.

Why Participate in Professional Development?

For the Individual…

Professional development can help you grow personally and professionally. It can expose you to new ideas and methods that will assist you in realizing your career goals.

For the Organization…

By having your employees participate in professional development, you are showing your commitment to maintaining and enhancing the professional competence of your staff. This demonstrates that your organization is committed to provide the best possible service and professionalism to your own clients. And your commitment to PD will enhance your staff retention and recruitment efforts.

Professional development promotes employee motivation, productivity, morale and creativity. It is a good way to groom employees for advancement, and helps managers realize the full potential for their teams.

For your clients…

You can ensure that you are providing the best possible care and service to the clients you serve in your community. Your clients benefit by having your service based upon recognized best practices in the field.

Funding

Safeguards’ regional training programs are funded by the Ontario Ministry of Community and Social Services and the Ministry of Children and Youth Services.

Safeguards’ Board

Children's Mental Health Ontario

Wendy Fairley, Board Member, CMHO, President of Safeguards  

Judi Parsons, Western Area Youth Services

Ontario Association of Child, Youth and Young Parent Centres

Paula  Forbes, Catholic Family Services

Maritza Sanchez, June Callood Centre for Women and Families 

Community Living Ontario

Elizabeth Arnold, Community Living Ontario

Jessie Phillips, Community Living Ontario

Ontario Association of Residences Treating Youth

Andrea Rifkin, A Circle of Support

Jennie-May Banks, Summit Human Services

The Association of Native Child & Family Services Agencies of Ontario

Betty Kennedy, Association of Native Child & Family Services Agencies of Ontario 
 

Members-At-Large

Barbara Stanton, Queen’s University, Developmental Consulting Program

Murray Hamilton