"Managing Mental Health, a Vocational Rehabilitationist Perspective."

6 CEUs
1.5 considered Ethics

*If you are attending the AGM ONLY, please register with the VRA Ontario office (office@vracanadaon.com). There is no cost to attend the AGM,  however lunch is not provided for non-paying attendees.

More information on our speakers below:

Elizabeth Manley, Olympic Figure Skater and World Silver Medalist

Striving for a Healthier You: Fit, Healthier and Happier Than Ever!

Having comeback from depression to win an Olympic Medal, Manley speaks out on her struggles with depression, and how she came back from it. Manley outlines the stigma of mental illness and talks about dealing with it and helping others.

Post Olympics, Manley shares her experiences with losing loved ones to many of today’s diseases. Manley speaks about her experience with losing her mother to Ovarian Cancer, and her father from Alzheimer’s. She opens her heart and talks candidly about taking on the role as caregiver.

Like many people, Manley had a long struggle with weight issues. She presents on when and why her struggle with her weight began, her associated health challenges, as well as the social stigma associated with being overweight (especially for an Olympian). Although it’s an everyday challenge, her presentation ends with discussing how she deals with these obstacles in her way to become more fit, healthier and happier than ever!

Frank Wagner, BA, MA, MHSc

Bioethicist, Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Science, Member, University of Toronto Joint Centre for Bioethics, Assistant Professor, Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Toronto

Frank Wagner holds degrees in physical anthropology (BA) and medical anthropology (MA) and is a graduate of the MHSc program in Medical Ethics at the Faculty of Medicine, Joint Centre for Bioethics, University of Toronto. He is an Assistant Professor, Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Toronto.

As a senior manager with the Ontario Ministry of Health, he helped develop key pieces of health legislation as well as policy, programs and services for persons with physical disabilities, acquired brain injury, as well as drafts of the RHPA, the Home and Community Services Act, and the Long Term Care Homes Act.. He was Manager of Client Services for Palliative Care with the former Toronto Community Care Access Centre, the Co-Chair of the Hospice Palliative Care Network (HPCNet), a partnership with the Temmy Latner Centre for Palliative Care at Mt. Sinai Hospital, Vice-Chair of the Toronto Palliative Care Network, and Vice-Chair of Women's College Hospital Board.

Frank was also a Trustee of Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre former Chair of the Patient Care Committee, and a member of the Hospital Ethics Committee, and was a vice-chair of Women’s College Hospital. He sits on the HQO Health Technology Advisory Committee (OHTAC), the Law Commission of Ontario Task group on Consent, Capacity and Guardianship, and the Law Commission Task group on End of Life.

The former Toronto Community Care Access Centre was the first non-hospital organization to be accepted as a partner by the Joint Centre for Bioethics and the first CCAC (home care agency) to appoint an ethicist. The whole area of community-based ethics is a new frontier and Frank Wagner is one of those at the forefront.

Viki Scott, RC (c); BSc OccHealth; RRP; CHRM; MBA; ADR (c)

Viki Scott is the President and Principal Consultant & Chief LobbyistofScott & Associates Inc.

Viki currently manages a successful National Consulting Firm of which provides solutions to Canadian based companies with at concentration in Labour Management Relations, Conflict Risk Management, Occupational Health and Safety compliance, Human Rights, AODA, Disability Program and Case Management, Human Resource Management, Organizational Development and Effectiveness, Board Governance and General Business Advisory Services. Her firm also provides lobbying and advocacy services to their not for profit and broader public service clients.

Viki has an extensive history with both the public and private sectors, primarily in unionized environments. She has lead significant change management initiatives for major public, non for profit and private sector organizations. Her leadership positions include the Ontario Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services, Workplace Health and Safety Agency, OPSEU and Extendicare, Canada   In addition, she was a National Practice Leader at Watson Wyatt Worldwide and a Senior Manager with KPMG LLP where she directed and lead a high performance team supplying direct technical consulting services to Employers concentrating in the areas of labour management relations, occupational health & safety, absence and attendance and human resource management consulting practice. She also, has had the privilege of being a Chief of Staff and Senior Policy Advisor to an Ontario Premier and a Cabinet Minister where she influenced the appointment of the first Employment Equity Commissioner for the Province of Ontario.She also has worked as a Senior Policy Advisor for various Political Leadership Campaigns, Nationally and Provincially.

James Bremner

James Bremner has over 30 years experience in law enforcement with a large metropolitan police service. He has served as tactical gun team member, team leader, explosives technician, tactical trainer, gang unit weapons technician, use of force instructor, and explosives disposal unit trainer. His expertise is sought after by law enforcement, military, and security agencies and he has been called upon to give expert testimony in several court cases.

Drawing from his experience with work-related Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), he will lead the group to a better understanding and insight into the issue of PTSD - an invisible injury.

He will explain what PTSD is, how to recognize the signs and symptoms, and will offer advice on how best to assist those struggling with stress related issues. The goal of the presentation is to help remove the stigma often associated with admitting to needing help and to minimize the risk of developing PTSD in the first place.

Aleta Armstrong

Aleta Armstrong is the manager of Community Awareness, the Umbrella Program and  Manager of Youth Services and the

Early Psychosis Intervention Program. She has worked for the Canadian Mental Health Association for 20 years. Previous to

that she worked with high risk youth in Toronto, Calgary and Simcoe County. She is the mother of three grown daughters

and is passionate about the topic of Mental Health.

Conference registration refund policy:

Cancellation within 2 - 4 weeks before conference: full refund, less a $100
Within 1 week or less of the conference: no refund provided

Please reach out to VRA Ontario directy to deal with any cancellations or refunds (office@vracanadaon.com). 

Hotel Room Booking Information:

VRA Ontario has a block of rooms reserved for the nights of November 3 and 4, 2016. In order to take advantage of VRA Ontario's group rate, please follow the steps blelow.

ONLINE BOOKING PROCEDURE - Click on the following link - https://lodging.bluemountain.ca/booking/#availability

Step One:  Check Availability - Enter arrival and departure dates. 

                                                                 Enter Corporate/Promotion Code: GRP118931 

                                      Click: Check Availability.

Step Two:  Choose Room Type  -  Click: Show Results.  Review accommodations. 

                                                                     Click: SELECT preferred accommodation.

Step Three:  Guest Login-    Complete guest information - Note: Red Box = Mandatory fields required. 

                                                          Click: Confirm Details.

Step Four:  Review Booking Request  - Once Reviewed - Click: Confirm Reservation.

Step Five:  Your Reservation Request has been Received - Click: Send Confirmation as Email.

CALL IN PROCEDURE - Call 877-445-0231, press for lodging reservations to make a personal reservation for a contracted group or conference.  Provide your group code GRP118931 and group name Vocational Rehabilitation Assoc. of Ontario.

ADDITIONAL BOOKING INFORMATION:

DEPOSIT POLICY: All reservations must be guaranteed by a credit card number with a first night deposit processed on 30 days of arrival and final payment due on departure by cash, credit card, certified cheque or money order.

CANCELLATION POLICY: Individuals have 10 days prior to their arrival to cancel or change the departure date (i.e. early departure) of their reservation with a $25.00 administration charge.  Individuals who cancel or change their reservation    within 10 days of arrival, will be given the opportunity to rebook their reservation for another date up to 12 months from the cancellation date. The deposit will be kept on file up to 12 months.  If the individual has not rebooked and stayed within this time frame, the deposit on file will be forfeited. At check in, a $250.00 Blue Mountain Inn or $500.00 suite/condo damage deposit will be required for each unit by cash, credit card or certified cheque. All persons checking in will be required to provide valid photo identification.

CHECK-IN TIME:  Check-in is any time after 4pm.                                                                   CHECK-OUT TIME:  Check-out is 11am.