PARENT/GUARDIAN & PROGRAM ADVISORY BOARD
Our parent/guardian and program advisory committees (PPACs) are responsible for the development of our programs, policies, and procedures. PPAC provides ongoing professional guidance to the i&i team to ensure that we are exceeding all ethical and professional standards in mental health support.
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innovation & imagination health + wellness is committed to ensuring that the Parent/Guardian Experience Protocol (PEP™) is at the heart of our service delivery.
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Parents/Guardians with lived experience with a child with mental health issues can engage with i&i in many ways:
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As a volunteer content writer
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As a committee member
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As a brand ambassador
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As a registered peer mentor
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As a parent/guardian or program advisor
If you would like to know more about our Advisory membership, or enquire about future terms, please contact the innovation & imagination health + wellness support team to be included in Involvement at the Institute updates.
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INDIVIDUAL COUNSELLING TEAM
At i&i, our team of highly skilled and experienced care providers have our clients best interests and wellbeing at heart.
Meet the talented professionals on our team and schedule an appointment today.
CLINICAL COUNSELLING TEAM
ZAHRA AHMED
As a Black, Muslim Woman, I have a broad view of the world consisting of who I am as a person, and how my different identities interact with diverse populations and systems. My history is in providing clinical counselling services to youth and their families experiencing struggles with emotion regulation, self-control, parenting difficulties, racial discrimination, and overall mental health struggles. My passion lies amid working with diverse populations providing client-centered, trauma-informed, and anti-oppressive care by assisting clients navigate through difficult life changes and circumstances
KRISTEN BEATTIE
Kristen Beattie holds a Master of Social Work Degree and Bachelor of Arts Honours Degree in Psychology. She also holds an Advanced Diploma in Behavioural Science Technology. Kristen has worked extensively with children, adolescents, adults, and families in inpatient, outpatient, and community mental health settings. Kristen is highly skilled in the provision of psychosocial assessments, individual, group, and family counselling, psychoeducation, case management, and service coordination.
SHARLENE GUMBS
MSW RSW
Sharlene Gumbs holds a Master of Social Work Degree from York University, is a Registered Social Worker (RSW) and has extensive experience working with vulnerable, at-risk communities in the GTA. Sharlene has worked across homelessness, mental illness, and the women’s prison system. She is an expert in
intergenerational trauma working within black-racialized communities, including black youth.
KENISHA MORALES
Kenisha Morales holds a Master of Social Work Degree from the University of Windsor and a Criminal Justice degree from Humber College. Kenisha brings extensive experience working with vulnerable youth across criminal justice and supporting youth facing homelessness and mental health and substance use challenges. Kenisha has worked with leading agencies such as Eva's in Toronto and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Peel. With a passion to support persons in the criminal justice she has volunteered with F.E.A.T for Children of Incarcerated Parents, a Toronto-based community group that supports children whose parents are in the criminal justice system. Kenisha was awarded Humber’s President’s Medal for Academic Achievement
LESLIE JONES
Biography coming soon...
KARLIE KLINCK
Biography coming soon...
JANICE R MORO
Biography coming soon...
SARA PARWIZ
Sara Parwiz holds a Master of Social Work Degree and Bachelor of Arts, Honours in Psychology Degree. Sara has worked with a diverse range of clients with developmental disabilities and mental health needs. She is trained in Solution-Focused Brief Therapy and is a skilled facilitator of social and psychoeducational groups. Sara is fluent in English, Farsi, and Intermediate in Hindi
TERESA SANTACROCE
Teresa Santacroce holds a Master of Social Work Degree, a Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology, as well as a Social Service Worker Diploma. Teresa has extensive social sector experience including case management and peer support program design and development. Teresa has collaboratively worked to support people living with diverse social issues including poverty, unemployment, mental health and cognitive health issues, abuse, addictions and racism.
SHAHRZAD SHAHRIARI
MSW
Shahrzad Shahriari holds a Master of Social Work Degree and Bachelor of Arts, Honours in Psychology Degree. Shahrad has extensive post-graduate training including a Certificates in Pharmacology of Mental Health & Substance Use, Settlement Counselling, Applied Suicide Intervention, Pride (Parent Resource for Information Development & Education), and Non-Violent Crisis Intervention. Shahrad is fluent in English and Farsi.
JENNIFER SOARES
Jennifer Soares holds a Master of Social Work Degree, a Bachelor of Arts, Honours Degree, a Bachelor of Arts, Education Degree, as well as a Social Service Worker Diploma. Jennifer has extensive social sector experience developing and implementing programs for people in vulnerable communities. Jennifer works with community partners while maintaining open communication with multiple stakeholders and supporting volunteers.
