Who We Are
 | Ainslie Tomlinson is the Executive Director and visionary behind Caithkin Treatment Foster Homes. Drawing on a 35-year career in Child Care and Foster Care support with various Children’s Aid Societies and Private Operators, Ainslie is a strong advocate for children and treatment foster parents (parent therapists). As well, she has “walked the walk”, providing foster care in her own home while raising her two children. These experiences have added an immeasurable contribution to Caithkin Treatment Foster Homes. |
 | Leslie Listro is the Director of Administration. Since the inception of Caithkin Leslie has drawn on her 35 years experience in Business Administration in the private sector. Leslie believes that excellent service and quality are imperative in the development and delivery of all administrative procedures and objectives to complement and support Caithkin’s treatment programming. Leslie and her husband have also opened their home to children in need over the ten years and this enhances her understanding of the challenges that foster presents to a family. |
 | Colleen Walker joined Caithkin in 2008. Without missing a step, she was able to move into the role as a resource worker, providing support to both Foster Homes and Children in our program. As a Child and Youth Worker she has experience working with Children’s Aid Societies as well as Brain Injury. She has brought to Caithkin an understanding of the challenges presented by children in need and is able to assist with developing strategies to support parents and well as programs addressed to present opportunities for our children to work in their own challenges, self-esteem, anger management, feelings, etc. |
 | Joanne Workman joined Caithkin in 2006 and has become an invaluable member of the team. She brings to the firm a welcoming smile, a superlative set of organizational skills with an attention to detail that has helped Caithkin ensure that all ministry recording requirements are met in a thorough and timely manner. |
Parent Therapists
At the foundation of Caithkin is a dedicated team of Parent Therapists. They offer a variety of family based models, from traditional two parent families to blended and single parents, and draw from several ethnic and religious cultures. Physical and medical disabilities have not excluded committed parents from joining us as they often have insights that can only be imagined. We offer a variety of venues for urban to semi-rural. Whatever their background or experience, they share one common goal, and that is to “Make a Difference in the life of a Child”.
One to One Workers and Volunteers are an integral part of Caithkin. As the unique needs of a child are identified it often becomes apparent that, in addition, to the commitment of nurturing care-givers and dedicated staff, special emphasis or attention is required. That can take the shape of a Child and Youth Worker, Tutor, or Educational support person who works directly with the child on specific goals identified in the treatment plan, or it may be in the form of a volunteer who provides transportation to family access visits, counsellors, or school. The ongoing support of this group allows Caithkin to ensure that each child receives the services and opportunities they need.
Community Resources
Caithkin could not be successful without the willingness of community partners, Individual therapists, local school board and recreational venues who assist our children by allowing them the opportunity of normalcy in many facets of their lives.
Barbara Browne is an individual therapist specializing in attachment issues and family dynamics as well as issues around sexuality. Barbara also provides six week admission assessments when it appears that the client professional match is correct.
Alison Parnell, CLS, M. S.W., RSW
81 Toronto Street, Barrie, Ontario L4N 1V1
705.735.9184 (voice) 705.735.9362 (fax)
Alison works as a Child Life Specialist/Social Worker in a busy private practice in Barrie, Ontario. Here she specializes in work with children, adolescents, young adults and families. She has worked with a diverse number of patients including those dealing with divorce, death, depression, anxiety, and various forms of abuse including children and youth placed in foster care. Her past experience working in Outpatient Mental Health at Royal Victoria Hospital in Barrie has added to her interest in the treatment of mental health issues. Her passion for helping young people has also led her to be an active volunteer with Rainbows Canada, which provides peer support groups for children and adolescents who have experienced loss. She prides herself in being an advocate for children, and supporting them to realize their full potential. Added to the many passions in her life are her three greatest accomplishments thus far – her own children who are two, four, and six.
Melanie Williams MA, R.S.W., CTSS
Clinical Social Worker, Certified Trauma Service Specialist
49 High Street Suite 101A-2, Barrie, ON L4N 5J4
Tel: (705) 722-7351
I am a registered Clinical Social Worker with over 25 years experience in individual and group intervention with children, adolescents and adults specializing in the areas of trauma, grief and loss, mental health issues and fetal alcohol spectrum disorder.
Every individual is unique as is each situation we may be challenged within our everyday lives. At times, these challenges can be overwhelming. This may necessitate seeking assistance and support to work positively through stressful times. The focus of my work is to provide the assistance to individuals, families and agencies to find healthy, effective ways of coping with challenging life situations and issues. I provide critical incident debriefing, trauma and grief counselling, and support to agencies, families and individuals to recognize and manage issues faced when children have been prenatally exposed to alcohol. I provide training and education in the areas of trauma, grief and loss, attachment and fetal alcohol spectrum disorder.
Simcoe County District School Board
Simcoe Muskoka District Separate School Board
Ontario Association of Children`s Aid Societies
Ministry of Child and Youth Services