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The Honourable Michael J.L. Kirby

On September 28, 2011, The Honourable Michael J. Kirby spoke at Vanier's 4th Annual Breakfast - Child and Youth Mental Health:  Successes Today Mean Brighter Futures. Click here for more information.

Willy Van Klooster, Executive Director, Vanier; The Honourable Michael Kirby

May Court Recognition Award

The May Court Club of London was instrumental in establishing Vanier in 1965.  During the subsequent 46 years they have continued to provide funding and have always been represented on the Vanier Board of Directors.  This award is presented to a person, agency or group that has had a positive impact on the emotional health of children/youth in the London-Middlesex community as:
- a Champion/Advocate for children's mental health.
- an Unsung Hero whose contributions have improved the lives of children and families.
- a Partnership (formal or informal) with Vanier in serving client needs.
Today, at the Breakfast, an Award was presented in each category.

CHAMPION/ADVOCATE Awarded to Helen Lowe, program supervisor (retired).  Peter Steckenreiter, Regional Director, Ministry of Children & Youth Services, accepting from Sheila Hughes, President, May Court Club, on behalf of Helen Lowe.

UNSUNG HERO Awarded to David Jamieson, Vanier driver; accepting Award from Sheila Hughes.

PARTNERSHIP Awarded to Chelsea Green Children's Centre.  Geri Doerr, Executive Director (right) accepting award from Sheila Hughes.

The Krista Sepp Memorial Award

Vanier supports the Krista Sepp Awards and this year we were delighted to nominate Sandra Pontes for the HORIZON Award! An enthusiastic troupe of 11 colleagues plus Sandra's husband, mother, and sister attended the Awards ceremony in Toronto.   Click here to read more ........Congratulations Sandra!

Information about H1N1

Click here for Flu or Cold - Know the Symptoms

Click here for the artlcie:  Care of a Child with the Flu

Thank you to Aeropostale, Inc.

To Our Friends at Vanier Children's Services:

The holidays remind us all of the value of family, the importance of reaching out to those we love, and also doing what we can to bring a little more happiness to those less fortunate.  In keeping with the spirit of the season, please accept our donation of 48 Aero Holiday Bears to your organization.  Our Aero Holiday Bear was created for the purpose of putting smiles on children's faces at a time of year when we feel they may need it most.

Your Friends at Aeropostale
Store #3013 White Oaks Mall

LtoR  Leanna Brkljaca, Stacey Robinson, and Megan Young, Manager, present Teddy Bears to Sherri Whitman, Supervisor of Day Treatment, and Willy Van Klooster, Executive Director.

October was Child Abuse Prevention Week

On October 20 the employees of Vanier dressed in purple to support Child Abuse Prevention Month AND Stomping out Bullying related to kid's sexuality.

What can you do to help?

• Learn to identify the subtle signs of child abuse and neglect.

• Use your voice! Call your local Children's Aid Society to report known or suspected child abuse and neglect.

For more information go to:  Use Your Voice

Dr. Bruce Perry

On October 27, 2010 Vanier was host to Dr. Bruce Perry for a day-long professional development workshop.  To view the powerpoint presentation, click on the link below.

http://www.childtrauma.org/index.php/articles/cta-neurosequential-model

The Honourable Michael Wilson

On September 30, 2010, The Honourable Michael Wilson, former Ambassador to the United States, spoke at Vanier's 3rd Annual Breakfast - Canada's Mental Health Crisis - the Social and Economic Cost.

Click here for more information. (pdf)

Eric Hipple Comes to London

On June 23, 2010 Eric Hipple, former quarterback for the Detriot Lions, will be speaking at a joint Children's Mental Health celebration.

Vanier's Annual General Meeting

Click here to download Invitation details (pdf)

Dr. Fraser Mustard

View Slideshow Presentation September 30, 2009

Click here for more information on the Founders Network website.

Don Efron receives the 2009 Elizabeth Manson Award for Community Service in Children's Mental Health!  Read more on the Award. (PDF download)

Don has been an employee of Vanier Children's Services since 1978, holding down a number of roles over the past 30 years.  His area of practice has been primarily focused on the provision of family therapy within a children's mental health setting.  Don developed and facilitated groups for children of alcoholics in the Outpatient Clinic at Vanier in the late 1980's.  Don has also acted in the role of Team Leader within the Residential Treatment program at Vanier, providing direction and clinical expertise to a multidisciplinary team.  He has stepped in to support the work of the Early Years Team, Intensive Family Services program and leads the community of practice group for the Child & Family Therapists at the agency.  During the past four years, Don has been the cornerstone of an innovative clinical training program for professionals and students, known as the "Focused Family Therapy Program".  This program also provides valuable Canadian experience and intensive supervision for new Canadian professionals.  His widely recognized acclaim in the field has drawn both staff and clinical trainees to Vanier over many years.

In 1980, Don developed "The Journal of Strategic & Systemic Therapies" published by Guilford Press, N.Y. USA.  He held the position of Senor Editor for over 20 years.  It is now known as "The Journal of systemic Therapies" with Don being the "Editor Emeritus".  This journal has had many contributing editors and writers including established leaders in the field:  Steve deShazer, Insoo Berg, Michael White, Harlene Anderson, Harry Goolishan, Bill O'Hanlan, Evan Imber-Black, Karl Tomm, and Eve Lipchick, to name a few.  Due to Don's influence, a number of experts in the field have come to London to share their knowledge with community professionals.  In 1986, Don was the editor of "Journeys, The Growth of the Strategic-Systemic Therapies" (Brunnel/Mazel Press N.Y. USA).  He also co-authored the "Strategic Parenting Manual" in 1989.

During 1988, he led a two year trial of strategic family therapy known as the "Tiger-Shark Model".  Around this time, Don initiated a professional consultation group in London, Ontario involving many local therapists, many of whom continue to participate in the process.  Don also taught courses in the extern program at the Hincks-Dellcrest Centre throughout the 1980's - 1990's.  During the last few years, Don's interest and clinical work became grounded in Emotionally Focused Family Therapy.  He has provided ongoing EFFT training at Vanier and other Southwestern Ontario agencies.

Don engages children, families and professionals using an authentic and warm curiosity about human behaviour which builds the platform underlying what is in the best interests of the child.  His rather self-effacing style is non-threatening and allows families to voice their own experience as co-creators of the path towards health.  He is a team player and has gained the admiration and respect of all those who have worked with him.

Vanier Wins Award!

In March, Vanier Children's Services was awarded the 2010 London Race Relations Advisory Committee Award in the Social & Community Services category.   We were nominated by "Partners in Diversity"- a local Children's Mental Health Inter-agency Committee.   Receiving the award were Joanne Sherin & Judy Jones (Co-chairs, Vanier's Diversity Committee) and Willy Van Klooster, Executive Director.