Mandatory Information Program (MIP) What it is: A required education session for anyone starting a family court case involving custody, access, support, or divorce. Content covered: The effects of separation/divorce on children and adults. Alternatives to litigation (e.g., mediation, collaborative family law). Legal responsibilities of parents. Information on local community resources. Purpose: To encourage parents and separating partners to prioritize children's needs and consider collaborative approaches. Learning application: CYC practitioners can help families prepare for MIP by framing their concerns in child-centred language and reflecting on the emotional impact of conflict. Family Mediation Services What it is: Confidential, voluntary service where a neutral mediator helps parties negotiate parenting, custody, and support issues. Formats: On-site mediation: available at family courts, often for urgent or same-day matters. Off-site mediation: community-based, longer sessions, more flexible. Benefits: Less expensive and faster than going to court. Encourages cooperation and creative problem-solving. Reduces stress for children by avoiding prolonged disputes. Limitations: Not suitable when there is family violence, coercive control, or major safety concerns. Learning application: CYC's must understand when mediation is appropriate and how to support parents in preparing constructive, child-focused proposals. Family Law Information Centres (FLICs) Located in every family court in Ontario. Services provided: Free publications and guides on family law. Access to information referral coordinators (staff who direct people to community services). Duty counsel (lawyers available for free, short consultations). Referrals to mediation and parenting programs. Learning application: CYCs and frontline workers can accompany families, guide them in accessing resources, and ensure they understand legal processes without overstepping into giving legal advice. Duty Counsel and Legal Aid Services Duty Counsel: lawyers at family courts offering brief legal advice, help with simple court appearances, or drafting documents. Legal Aid Ontario (LAO): may provide full legal representation for eligible low-income families. Community Legal Clinics: specialized support in certain regions. Learning application: Workers must know referral pathways for families struggling with affordability and legal complexity. Parenting Information and Education Programs Parenting programs provide resources on: Co-parenting after separation. Minimizing conflict during exchanges. Supporting children's emotional needs. Creating structured parenting plans (routines, communication rules). Often delivered in workshops, online modules, or printed handouts. Learning application: Students can practice role-playing conversations with parents, encouraging them to put children's developmental needs above parental conflict. Child and Spousal Support Services Ontario provides calculators and guidelines to help families determine appropriate levels of child and spousal support. The Family Responsibility Office (FRO) enforces court-ordered support by collecting payments directly from the payor and sending them to the recipient. Learning application: CYCs may support parents in understanding enforcement processes and explaining them in plain language to reduce stress and conflict. Supervised Access and Exchange Services Supervised access centres allow children to have safe visits with a parent in situations where there are concerns about safety, conflict, or reliability. Neutral sites for pick-up and drop-off exchanges, reducing the chance of conflict in front of children. Delivered by community-based agencies across Ontario. Learning application: CYCs may coordinate referrals, help prepare children for visits, and debrief with them afterward. Online Tools and Resources Ontario offers digital tools such as: Child support and spousal support calculators. Online self-help guides for representing oneself in family court. Parenting plan templates and co-parenting resources. Learning application: Students can practice using these online tools to create hypothetical parenting or support scenarios. Family Violence and Safety Screening Family justice services require screening for domestic violence, coercive control, and safety concerns. Mediation and joint programming are not suitable where there is risk of harm. Referrals may instead be made to shelters, protection orders, supervised access programs, or child protection agencies. Learning application: CYCs need to recognize red flags and know when to escalate to child protection or safety services. Why Family Justice Services Matter for CYC Practice Children are often caught in the middle of separation disputes; these services aim to protect their well-being by reducing adult conflict. CYC practitioners can: Provide emotional support for children navigating parental separation. Act as bridges between families and available services. Advocate for child-focused solutions in mediation or parenting plans. Help families access culturally appropriate and community-specific supports.

1. Why is the Mandatory Information Program a crucial first step in family court cases?
2. In what situations might mediation be inappropriate, and why?
3. How can CYCs support children emotionally while their parents go through separation and legal disputes?

What structural barriers (e.g., cost, culture, access to technology) may prevent families from benefiting from these services?