Manitoba and Nunavut

Miriam Duff
2009-2011

I have been providing psychosocial services to people in various contexts, and healthcare in particular, as a child life specialist, for many years. I view myself as a lifelong learner.. At present, I am completing my Master of Education in Counselling, thesis-based. I completed my graduate counselling practicum at the University of Manitoba’s Student Counselling and Career Services. Previously, I have completed a Bachelor of Arts and a Post-Baccalaureate Diploma in Education centred on counselling. I am a certified child life specialist, currently employed at Winnipeg Children’s Hospital, serving the psychosocial needs of children and families being cared for in the Pediatric Special Care Unit and the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit. I have also worked for CancerCare Manitoba, providing one-to-one and group counselling services for patients and their families. I am currently Secretary on the executive for the Creative Arts in Counselling Chapter. In my personal life I am a mother, wife and artist, with a past steeped in community activism, particular related to the school system.

I have benefited greatly from being a part of CCPA, specifically in terms of networking (across Canada!) by specific interest groups (the chapters) and professional development opportunities (the conferences and workshops are great!). I consider the dialogue made possible through this organization essential to ongoing learning and growth, for myself as well as the field in general. I value having access to the organization’s list of qualified professionals, by geographic region, it is a highly relevant and useful referral resource. I appreciate the benefits of professional affiliation for consultation, resource and insurance purposes.

I recognize professional accreditation as an essential means to establishing and maintaining counselling practice benchmarks, thereby attaining credibility and protecting the public from harm. I look forward to obtaining my counsellor certification from CCPA upon graduating from my program.

I have been involved with the CCPA as student representative for the past two years. During this time, I have set up displays promoting the CCPA at the university and at the Canadian Art Therapy Association’s National Conference (2009). I also provide CCPA information and materials to students on a casual enquiry basis. Last year I was fortunate to be awarded a CCPA travel grant, which allowed me to attend the annual conference in Saskatoon – what a wonderful experience that was!

Previous Director's Report - May 2010

Abstract

As I prepare for my new role as "mom" in the coming months, my main focus as Manitoba/Nunavut Director since our meeting in Ottawa has been completing committee work and other commitments in order to provide a smooth transition for Miriam Duff, the incoming Manitoba/Nunavut Director who will be taking over this position in May.  Although excited to be entering this new phase of my life, I feel great sadness in leaving the board.  I have thoroughly enjoyed working with the members of the board and will not forget the connections and friendships I have made through this experience.  I will miss you all and hope we find way to keep in touch.

Connections, Communications, Contributions and Celebrations

• Meeting with Miriam to "bring her up to speed" as to what we have been doing
• Email from Destination Manitoba showing interest in bringing the CCPA annual conference to Winnipeg (I have learned this is routine email that occurs about once a year)
• Follow up email correspondence with the Vice President of the Music Therapy Association of Manitoba . She does not want/need anything formal with CCPA at this point. She wants us to be aware that this association exists so we can keep them informed of any changes in legislation as regulation of counsellors continues across the country.
• Connection with Lorna Martin (Past Director), Lucy Lu (Creative Arts Chapter President) and Miriam Duff (Student Rep) regarding the ambassador profiles requested by the sustainability committee.  All three completed a profile which was forwarded on to Maria to share with the committee.
• Professional Development committee work with CCPA Board Members - including collating data from the PD survey and putting together information for the presentation in May as well as collaborating on writing up a job description for the new position in Ottawa.
• Continued connection with the activities of Manitoba Education, Citizenship and Youth
• Continued connection with the Manitoba School Counsellors’ Association

Concerns and Challenges

• Providing opportunities for members of northern/rural Manitoba and Nunavut to feel connected to CCPA and be involved with PD and other opportunities offered.

Coming Attractions

• If Miriam wishes to pursue this I had planned to complete a newsletter to go out to members in the region with news, information and updates.

Resources

• A collection of provincially-available print and online resources is being planned for 2010.