Join us on Wednesday, December 9th, as the AVA Webinar Series presents Development of the Family Violence and Relationship Wellness Program (FVRW), featuring Jaye Appotive and Sabina Mezhibovsky from Jewish Family and Child Service of Greater Toronto.
Wednesday, December 9, 2026
12 – 1:30pm MST
This presentation explores the decision to expand our program’s scope, shifting from a woman’s abuse program to one that serves the family unit. This includes those who have experienced harm, those who have caused harm and youth who have witnessed harm. We will highlight the importance of child welfare collaboration and address the specific nuances required to successfully engage individuals who behaviors have caused harm while ensuring the safety of everyone involved.
About the Speakers
Jaye Appotive, MSW, RSW, is a Registered Social Worker with over 15 years of experience specializing in the intersections of child welfare, family systems, and Intimate Partner Violence (IPV). Her extensive background includes supporting families through acute crises. A professional in trauma-informed crisis management and risk mitigation, Jaye possesses a deep framework for identifying coercive control and navigating the complex realities of concurrent child protection involvements. Jaye translates years of high-stakes, front-line experience into actionable, evidence-based strategies for frontline professionals. As a manger of the Family Violence and Relationship Wellness team at JF&CS Jaye equips practitioners with the practical skills needed to conduct nuanced risk assessments, support clients through life transitions, and advocate effectively for long-term family safety and stabilization.
Sabina Mezhibovsky is a social worker, scholar, and clinician with over two decades of experience in family violence, immigration, trauma, and community-based support. She is a manager in the Family Violence and Relationship Wellness Program, overseeing a team of clinicians who provide therapeutic and psychoeducational services to individuals and families, alongside prevention and early intervention initiatives in the community. Sabina also serves as a guest speaker and educator, bringing a qualitative, trauma-informed, and intersectional approach that centers lived experiences, compassion, knowledge, and empowerment in her work.