LIFECYCLE COUNSELLING & ASSOCIATES

 

PARTNERS
Penny Smith M.S.W., R.S.W.

After earning her Masters in Social Work from Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo, Ontario, in 1982, Penny spent the next six years as a front-line worker and supervisor at Peel Children's Aid in Mississauga, Ontario.

As a special consultant to the Metro Toronto Special Committee on Child Abuse, Penny co-led their Offenders Treatment group, authored the Sexual Assault Initiative Training report and co-ordinated a Metro Toronto-wide project on the treatment of child sexual abuse.
Since 1991 Penny has been a school social worker in the Halton and Peel, Ontario regions where she provides school-based clinical services for students and their families, and consultation and training for school staff. Penny is also an active speaker, writer and educator. She has written and co-authored a number of publications on the issue of child sexual abuse. Penny is a popular presenter and her knowledge, personable style and wit have been welcome additions to many conferences.
Ray Pidzamecky M.S.W., R.S.W.

Ray began working with young people and their families in 1981. He has worked with young offenders, anti-social youth, and suicidal/depressed adolescents.

Ray received his BSW from York University and his MSW from Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo, Ontario. His Masters research was on the impact of attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD) on the family.
Since 1990 Ray has been a school social worker in the Halton, Ontario area, providing school-based clinical services for students and their families, and consultation and training for staff.

In 1997 Ray received the Award for Creativity in Education (A.C.E.) from the Halton District School Board for the Parent Watch program, and the Respect for the Law award, presented by the Optimist Club of Oakville.

Ray is the co-creator of Parent Watch, a program for parent support; H.E.A.R.T. (Helping Errant adolescents Redirect Themselves), a pre-charge/pre-court diversion program for police working with youths in trouble with the law; and P.E.P. (Peers Empowering Peers). P.E.P. is a safe-student/school/community program that enlists senior high school students to share their experiences to help support and shape crucial decision-making of those just entering high school. P.E.P. is available to high schools throughout Canada.

 ASSOCIATES

Lisa Longworth, Child and Youth Counsellor

Lisa started her career as a graduate of the Child and Youth Counselling program at Mohawk College.

Over the past eight years, Lisa has worked or volunteered in several different areas that involve assisting at-risk youth and their families, including Family Services of Hamilton-Wentworth, Planned Parenthood Society of Hamilton, the Thames Valley District School Board, and the Ministry of Education.

Since relocating to Oxford County, Lisa has volunteered much of her time to the community with her involvement in the Oxford Drug Awareness Committee, Community Options for Justice, Participate Youth Advisory Committee and the Oxford Wrap-Around Team.

Lisa is continuing her education at the University of Waterloo while maintaining a small private practice in the city of Woodstock. Lisa facilitates the Oxford and Brantford Parent Watch groups, and enjoys working collaboratively with various police departments on new initiatives of crime prevention in South-Western Ontario.

 

Monica Vicencio B.A., B.S.W., M. Ed.

Monica has been a social worker with the Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board for 16 years. Her assignments have included:

  • Inner-city Alter-Ed (Secondary and Elementary)
  • Elementary and secondary schools (city and county)
  • System committees
  • Leading groups such as Social Skills, Anger Management, Divorce and Separation, Co-Parenting, and Bereavement

Monica Currently serves on the First Strike Coalition and the Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Task Force

 

Roberta (Bobbi) Pentland B.A. (Hons), B. Ed., Sp. Ed.

Bobbi has taught for the Hamilton Wentworth District School Board since 1990. Her teaching assignments have included:

  • Teaching emotionally fragile adolescents in a closed treatment setting
    teaching basic life skills in a vocational school
  • Program leader and teacher with Phoenix Alternative Education Program
  • Teaching Phase 2 young offenders in a Closed Custody setting during summer hiatus.

Bobbi has also served on:

  • Safe Schools committee
  • Systems Transition committee
  • Alternative Review committee

Richard Best/Writing At Work: Richard Best is a freelance writer and editor specializing in business communication and education. He works closely with Parent Watch/Lifecycle Counselling, is contributing editor of the Parent Watch manual, and is responsible for much of the content on the Parent Watch website. Richard is also the wine columnist for Oakville Today and is host of Frugal-Wine.com.

Parent Watch® is a registered trademark of Lifecycle Counselling
H.E.A.R.T. is copyright Lifecycle Counselling, 1997
P.E.P. is copyright Lifecycle Counselling, 1998