Working Groups

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 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..

Mary Pagani is the Manager of Programs, Partnerships and Operations with Peel Addiction Assessment and Referral Centre. Mary has worked with PAARC for 17 years and has been an active HSJCC committee member for the past five years with the most recent participation in the role of co-chair. Mary has been instrumental in the development, implementation and operations of the Brampton Drug Treatment Court. She recognizes the value of partnership and as such, has made significant efforts to bring community stakeholders together. Her contributions to the addictions and mental health sector has been has positively affected those who are impacted by substance use and/or mental illness.

Biography coming soon!

Founder and CEO, IgnitePress Consultant

Norma is a four-time published author, speaker, educator, and mental health advocate for at-risk youth and families. A retired RN, she holds a BA in Sociology and Psychology and an MA in Adult Education. Inspired to volunteer, she exemplifies the qualities of a leader and mentor. She serves on several board governances and is a recognized public speaker who addresses the needs of vulnerable and at-risk teens and their families. With over 30 years of public service, she has spent most of her time motivating and mentoring families and youth to transform their mindsets to see the world positively. Due to her vibrant voice and catalyst for community growth, she has been recognized on many occasions for making positive impacts. Most recently, as one of the 100 Accomplished Black Canadian Women 2018. (100ABC).

Books:

Young Lives on the Line, You can Make a Difference

Walking Miles in Sensible Shoes, A Nurse Looks Back at her Vocation

Codi’s Adventures, Canada My ‘FurEver ‘Home (2 series)

 n.nichoson.a805@rogers.com

www.normanicholson.ca

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.

Dennis A. Reilly Esq. is the Statewide Drug Court Coordinator for the New York Unified Court System’s Division of Policy and Planning. Previously, Mr. Reilly served as a National Project Director at the National Drug Court Institute and as the Director of Operations for Treatment Court Programs at the Center for Court Innovation. Prior to joining the New York Unified Court System, Mr. Reilly worked for the Connecticut Judicial Branch as a Special Deputy Sheriff, Trial Court Clerk, Pretrial Services Officer, Supervision Officer, and Court Planner, and was a founding team member of Connecticut’s first three drug courts. Mr. Reilly served as Director of the Brooklyn Treatment Court and the Problem-Solving Courts Coordinator for the Kings Supreme Court. Mr. Reilly has served as an expert consultant to the National Drug Court Institute, the Justice Management Institute, the American University Drug Courts Program Office, the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges, the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, the Bureau of Justice Assistance, and the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment at SAMHSA. Mr. Reilly, is a graduate of the University of Connecticut’s School of Administration and Management, the University of Denver College of Law and the University of Amsterdam School for Executive Development in International Relations.

Biography coming soon!

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

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.

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..

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.  

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.

Dennis A. Reilly Esq. is the Statewide Drug Court Coordinator for the New York Unified Court System’s Division of Policy and Planning. Previously, Mr. Reilly served as a National Project Director at the National Drug Court Institute and as the Director of Operations for Treatment Court Programs at the Center for Court Innovation. Prior to joining the New York Unified Court System, Mr. Reilly worked for the Connecticut Judicial Branch as a Special Deputy Sheriff, Trial Court Clerk, Pretrial Services Officer, Supervision Officer, and Court Planner, and was a founding team member of Connecticut’s first three drug courts. Mr. Reilly served as Director of the Brooklyn Treatment Court and the Problem-Solving Courts Coordinator for the Kings Supreme Court. Mr. Reilly has served as an expert consultant to the National Drug Court Institute, the Justice Management Institute, the American University Drug Courts Program Office, the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges, the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, the Bureau of Justice Assistance, and the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment at SAMHSA. Mr. Reilly, is a graduate of the University of Connecticut’s School of Administration and Management, the University of Denver College of Law and the University of Amsterdam School for Executive Development in International Relations.

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

Biography coming soon!