Join us for a dynamic one-hour panel with parents and youth with direct experience in Ontario’s intensive child and youth mental health services. The panel will be moderated by Dr. Kiaras Gharabaghi, Dean of the Faculty of Community Services at Toronto Metropolitan University. In this structured dialogue, parents and youth will share real stories, and provide their perspectives, and advice on how engagement can transform the system as we are implementing the OITP. Leaders from children’s services organizations, decision-makers and providers will be able to listen deeply, learn from their lived experience, and reflect on practical ways to drive meaningful change through the establishment of the OITP.

Dr. Gharabaghi has more than 25 years’ expertise in child and youth care, social work, and related sectors and brings a global, multi-ethnic, and multi-faith perspective informed by lived experience through his work across child and youth mental health, youth justice, child welfare, and homelessness. Renowned for preserving dignity and uplifting youth and family voices, he has led curriculum renewal, developed graduate programs, and championed social innovation. In 2015-16, Dr. Gharabaghi was one of three experts who lead the Ontario Residential Services Review for the Ontario government.

A dedicated Q&A will allow attendees to engage directly with the panel, culminating in a call to action: harness these authentic voices to guide future transformation in OITP.