Family Group Conferencing Ontario Provincial Resource
What is Family Group Conferencing?
Family Group Conferencing (FGC) is an alternative approach to working with and engaging families in the child protection context.
The main objective of FGC is to give the extended family group (i.e., nuclear family, extended family, and friends) a voice in the decision-making process to ensure the safety and well-being of children at-risk or in need of protection. FGC is a culturally sensitive, alternative approach to child protection that empowers marginalized families; bringing together family group members to craft a plan of care for their children that addresses concerns identified by child welfare/children’s mental health professionals.
What We Do
Established in 2006, the FGC Ontario Provincial Resource is a quality assurance and training body for Family Group Conferencing in Ontario, and acts as a locus of expertise and best practice in family group conferencing.
Roster of Coordinators and Mentors
The FGC Ontario Provincial Resource maintains a public roster of FGC Coordinators and Mentors. Individuals must be listed on the Provincial Roster of Coordinators to practice Family Group Conferencing in Ontario.
Click here for the FGC Coordinator Roster.
Click here for the FGC Mentor Roster.
To learn how to become an FGC Mentor, click here.
Training of New FGC Coordinators
The FGC Ontario Provincial Resource offers a three-day intensive training program (in-person and virtual options are available) as the first step in the process of becoming an FGC Coordinator. More information on the Application for Training, the training program and the next steps can be found here.
Professional Development for FGC Coordinators
The FGC Ontario Provincial Resource offers semi-annual professional development days to FGC Coordinators, Mentors and community partners on a wide range of topics to support best practices, model integrity and quality FGC services.
Other professional development opportunities offered include regular group case consultation sessions with an experienced mentor, webinars and collaborative development programs with other partners.
To learn more about development opportunities, click here.
Program Consultation
The FGC Ontario Provincial Resource is available to provide training and consultation to service providers across Ontario wishing to enhance their capacity to deliver effective family group conferencing.
To contact the Provincial Resource office:
Lynda Evans, Program Coordinator
levans@georgehull.on.ca
416-622-8833 ext. 176
Mailing Address
The FGC Ontario Provincial Resource
c/o The George Hull Centre for Children and Families
81 The East Mall
Toronto, Ontario
M8Z 5W3
Complaints Resolution Process
As the quality assurance body for FGC practice in Ontario, the FGC Ontario Provincial Resource is available to review and address complaints regarding the conduct, capacity or performance of a Rostered FGC Coordinator, engaged in the practice of facilitating a Family Group Conference.
The complete Complaints Resolution Process is available for review here, ou en français, ici.
To request assistance in resolving a complaint, submit a completed Request for Complaint Resolution (download the form here, ou en français ici) to Lynda Evans at levans@georgehull.on.ca.
For a list of other resources including the FGC Manual and forms, please click here.