Maternal Bereavement in Women Undergoing Child Custody Loss
presentation Tuesday March 4, 2008
Tammy McKenzie, MEd (c), BA,PAC, Manager, Pathways to Healthy Families, Jean Tweed Centre
Heather Morton, , R.N., MN,B.Sc.N.,BSc, Mental Health Nurse Specialist, Toronto Public Health
Jennifer Stannard, MSW, RSW, Social Work, St. Michael's Hospital
in collaboration with Young Parents No Fixed Address
The three presenters have been examining the impact of custody loss in their respective practices and in their partnership with a network called Young Parents No Fixed Address (YPNFA). The presentation will provide key findings from a report commissioned by YPNFA which describes service interventions and gaps in services for women who lose custody of their children. The presenters will explore the impact of custody loss in women and the challenges for service providers providing support to women following an apprehension. As well, the presenters will discuss specific strategies employed in their respective agencies in working with women experiencing custody loss.
Toronto Public Health is a large health unit working to promote and protect the health of populations by working with individuals of all ages, families, groups and communities in Toronto. Jean Tweed Centre, is a substance use treatment centre for women and their families. St. Michael's Hospital is a teaching hospital affiliated with the University of Toronto, located in downtown Toronto with a special focus on the health needs of a diverse, inner city population. Young Parents No Fixed Address is a network of agencies and organizations dedicated to building strong community partnerships to address the challenges for homeless/ street involved, pregnant and parenting youth and their children.
Learning Objectives
- To recognize infant apprehension as a complicated perinatal loss with expected grief responses.
- To increase awareness and sensitivity to the challenges facing mothers and families involved in custody loss after birth.
- To review strategies and interventions that support women undergoing child custody loss.
VIDEO (wmv) - Approx. 54 Minutes
Bereavement and Custody Loss IMH Rounds