The Family Assistance and Parent Support Program

National Participation Invited

It was the expectation of the steering committee during the development of the Family Assistance and Parent Support Program, to develop a widely accepted and universal program that will effectively address the conflicts affecting parents and children during the stressful times of separation or divorce.  It was the intent of the organizing committee to create a program that would significantly reduce the devastation of families experienced through the current adversarial family-court process.

At the time of the first printing of this resource manual, most of those contributing to its development were from the Province of Ontario.  It should be noted that interest is being expressed in this program from professionals from outside the Province.  It is hoped that similar, if not identical programs, will be adopted nation-wide, as the principles upon which this program is based are universal and can be applied in any given family-conflict situation.

It is intended that the Family Assistance and Parent Support Program will be kept amended in recognition of ongoing changes to legislation that may be applicable at the time, and to make available, as currently as is possible, updated versions of this manual.

Members of the core-organizing team invite participation by all interested individuals or organizations across Canada to contact us in seeking assistance in establishing similar programs.  Public input into the development and enhancement of this program is highly welcomed.  The organizing committee, the professional advisory group and all involved with the development of this project, would appreciate submissions from any group, individual, or organization from anywhere in Canada about any part of this program.  All submissions will be reviewed and incorporated into the next review of program materials should such submissions fall within the program goals and objectives.  Should any group or individual have any questions, concerns or criticisms about this program that they feel need to be addressed, then they are also invited to submit their queries in writing by mail, fax or e-mail.  All submissions will be reviewed with a full hearing available to anyone willing to have their concerns addressed before a public forum.

Pauline Greene B.A., LL.B.

978 Kingston Rd.

Toronto, Ont. M4E 1S9

Fax (416) 699-0285

Dr. Douglas Steane Ph. D.

Box 842

Pemberton, B.C.

(604) 894-6777; E-mail: dasteane@hotmail.com

Joel Miller B.A. LL. B.

c/o Law offices of Gardiner, Bloomburg

390 Bay St. Suite 1202

Toronto, Ont. M5H 2Y2

Fax: 416-361-9418; E-mail: joelmiller@familylawcentre.com

Sept 13, 2000