Child Welfare Law Training – Southern Alberta
June 25, 2021
This training session for will explore the many facets of child welfare law.
Who can attend: LAA staff lawyers, LAA roster lawyers in southern Alberta.
Agenda
Time
8:30 – 8:40 a.m.
Topic
Welcome Remarks
Speakers
John Panusa, LAA President and CEO
Andrea Doyle, Legal Aid Alberta
Time
8:40 – 9:30 a.m.
Topic
Child Welfare 101
- Understanding the basics
- Statutory timelines
- How to count days
- Who is a guardian under CYFEA?
- Disclosure
- Best Practices
- Mediation
Speakers
Vita Houlihan, Legal Aid Alberta
Michelle Protsch, Legal Aid Alberta
Time
9:30 – 9:40 a.m.
Topic
Wellness break
Time
9:40 – 10:45 a.m.
Topic
Initial Custody
- How to effectively conduct an Initial Custody Hearing?
- An Act Respecting – How to use this legislation in the context of ICHs
Speakers
Carla Hopfner, Legal Aid Alberta
Time
10:45 – 10:55 a.m.
Topic
Wellness Break
Time
10:45 – 10:55 a.m.
Topic
Assessments
- Why and when are they are needed
- What type PPA vs. neuro psych
- Negotiating terms re: Assessments,
- What to look for in an Assessment
- How to cross-examine the expert
Speakers
Dr. Jim Tittemore
Kara Irwin
Jennifer Shaften Q.C.
Time
12:00-12:30 p.m.
Topic
Lunch break
Time
12:30 – 1:15 p.m.
Topic
Must-read caselaw
Resources for clients
- Connections
- First steps
- PCAP/P-CAP- E – McMann
Speakers
Stuart Mair
Lauren Raymore
Carrie Lawson
PJ Lumley
Angela Knee
Sharon Dockrill
Time
1:15 – 2:15 p.m.
Topic
Child Welfare Trials
- How to effectively conduct a child welfare trial
- Preparing your client to testify
- Cross examination of child welfare workers
- Private Guardianship Applications
- Negotiating Terms: How to properly enter a Consent on the record and obtaining written instructions
- Ways to resolve and when to focus on negotiating post PGO access
Speakers
Vanessa Cork, Legal Aid Alberta
Michelle Lee, Legal Aid Alberta
Time
2:15 – 2:30 p.m.
Topic
Health break
Time
2:30 – 3:00 p.m.
Topic
Section 35.1 Reviews – Applications by a Former Guardian
- S. 35.1 Reviews of a PGO
- Disclosure in S. 35.1 applications
Speakers
Charles Easton, Legal Aid Alberta
Time
3:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Topic
Panel Discussion
Speakers
Judiciary:
Assistant Chief Judge Cornfield
Judge Ailsby
Director’s Counsel:
Elizabeth Iredale
Parent’s Counsel:
Raj Laroiya, Legal Aid Alberta
Child’s Counsel:
Julie Hart
Time
4:00 – 4:05 p.m.
Topic
Closing remarks
Speakers
Andrea Doyle, Legal Aid Alberta
Event inquiries
[email protected]