Program Content Development Working Group
Justice Kofi Barnes, Chair
Justice Kofi Barnes is a judge of the Ontario Superior Court of Justice. He is a former judge of the Ontario Court of Justice. Justice Barnes was admitted to the Ontario Bar in 1993. Prior to his judicial career, he was a Deputy Director of the Federal Prosecution Service, Ontario Region.
Justice Barnes is the founder of the Metro West Youth Community Restoration Court; the Durham Mental Health and Drug Treatment Court and co-founder of Canada’s first Drug Treatment Court.
Justice Barnes is the founding president of the Association of Justice and Treatment Professionals. He is the founding past president of the Canadian Association of Drug Treatment Court Professionals and president of the International Association of Treatment Court Professionals.
In addition to his regular judicial duties, Justice Barnes has provided training sessions, in Canada and internationally, on solution focused strategies and innovative approaches to justice. He is a co-editor of People Places and Things – Inspirational Voices from Canada’s Drug Treatment Courts – published by Friesen Press.
Barnes is the recipient of many awards including the Queen Elizabeth Silver Jubilee Commemorative medal, Trent University Distinguished Alumni Award, the York University Bryden Awards and the African Canadian Achievement Awards for Excellence in Law.
Kym Briggs
Kym Briggs is a Registered Social Worker who has spent 15-years on the front lines of the mental health and justice system. Kym has held several positions throughout her career, including Probation and Parole Officer, Crisis Outreach Counsellor and Justice Services Case Manager where she coordinated delivery of the mental health court programs in Elgin County. Currently, Kym teaches Forensic Psychology at Kings University College and Wilfrid Laurier university, she is co-leading the development of an upcoming drug treatment court for Elgin County and she is working toward her Doctorate in Educational Leadership. Kym believes in focusing on equity as a main tool to improve mental wellness in our communities.
Jennifer Graham
Jennifer Graham is currently employed as an Assistant Crown Attorney in Peel (MAG). She has held this role for over 7 years and has been involved in many projects. Most notably, Jennifer joined the Brampton Drug Treatment Court team in 2016 where she demonstrated leadership and a keen interest to better understand the challenges that the clientele face within the broader system. Her empathy and compassionate curiosity serve her well in forming strong alliances with community partners and improving client experiences within the criminal justice system. She works closely with the judiciary, defence counsel, human services agencies and the broader community to ensure that the program is responsive to the needs of the local community. Jennifer has been a member of the Human Services & Justice Coordinating Committee since the spring of 2019 and has been the co-chair of the Peel regional committee since September 2020. She has a strong interest in initiating and supporting the exchange of knowledge across sectors and truly appreciates the importance of collaboration and collective effort.
Andre Rivard is enthusiastic about joining the AJTP, as a means to share knowledge and create educational content, with/for community allies. He is passionate about sharing human stories of lived experience. He has observed the benefit of holistic, interdisciplinary teams uniting for a common purpose. He is inspired by the intersection of social, health and justice partnerships, aligning to tackle these emerging issues.
Andre is not acting in any legal capacity, for the Board. His involvement shall not be construed as providing legal advice, in any manner whatsoever. He is a concerned citizen, with a desire to help.
Erin Smith is a Case Manager and Urgent Response Care Coordinator for all students at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario
Her previous roles included being the primary counsellor in the Brampton Drug Treatment Court and a Crisis Intervention Specialist with COAST Halton.
Erin is in charge of all the marking material for events hosted by the Association of Justice and Treatment Professionals Committee
Erin has a strong passion for helping individuals
Institutional Building Working Group
Amanda McEachern Gaudet
Amanda is an Associate Teaching Professor in the Faculty of Business and IT at Ontario Tech university. She joined Ontario Tech after spending 15 years in Supply Chain Management in the automotive and aerospace industries. Amanda earned her BCom and MBA from Ontario Tech University and is currently pursing her Doctorate of Business Administration at Grenoble Ecole de Management. When she is not in class, she can often be found running, riding her bike, in the gym, or cheering on her daughters in their many activities.
Amanda Ottley
Amanda Ottley is the founder of The Pamoja Institute for Community Engagement and Action. As a Black woman, Amanda is an advocate for her community, advocating for equitable access to the resources necessary to foster improved health and well-being. Amanda’s work to create a just future now has been recognized at home and internationally. She was awarded the Research Excellence in Black Community Impact” Award at the 2022 Black Excellence in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Medicine/Health Conference 2022 and received the Leadership in Business Award from the United Way of Greater Toronto Black Advisory Committee.