Dianne Martin

Hello, meet Dianne Martin, a proudly passionate advocate for stepfamilies

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Dianne Martin is the visionary genius behind Dianne Martin & Associates As the  Founder and Executive Director, Dianne Martin combined her personal and professional experiences as a birth mother, stepparent, Certified Stepfamily Counsellor, and social worker to create an dynamic array of powerful family support programs for stepfamilies. Dianne Martin knows first hand the challenges of being a single mom and stepmom. She is passionatly committed to helping stepparents and has chosen to work exclusively with stepfamilies and stepdating couples who want to build and nurture healthy stepfamily relationships.  Her evidence based programs ensure her clients have the 3-T’s  (tips, tools, techniques) essential to building, maintaining  healthy family relationships.   An innovative thinker, Dianne Martin was concerned that families living in remote or rural areas would not have access to specialized counselling programs.  She developed a cybercounselling program using email and video calls. FAQ about cybercounselling Martin. a skilled facilator and certified trainer has conceived, designed,  and delivers powerful, evidenced based training programs. Visit her training calender for details.   Prior to launching her family support and training agency, Dianne Martin worked across Canada and the UK in adoptions, foster care, and child protection programs.  She moved into progressively responsible positions and was an active member of the Provincial Foster Care Task Force in the province of Alberta. Dianne Martin is a trained volunteer with the BC, Emergency Social Services. She provides emergency psychosocial support to people who have been forced fromt their homes due to a natural or man-made disasters. Dianne Martin is a feature writer for StepMom Magazine and the Family, Success by 6 Magazine. Dianne Martin received her Bachelor of Social Work Degree from the University of Calgary.  She is a member in good standing with the BCCSW and BCASW. Dianne and her husband David Martin reside on beautiful Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Canada

Founder & Executive Director at Dianne Martin & Associates

2009 - Present | Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada

Specialized counselling,support and training for stepfamilies and single parents interested in building, strengthening, and nurturing healthy family relationships. Provide face-to-face counselling and e-counselling for Canadian families, couples and individuals Facilitate workshops and support and empowerment groups. Professional consultation, training and program development assistance available for family service organizations interested in enhancing their understanding of stepfamily issues and dynamics.

Independant Contractor at Martin and Associates

July 2008 - November 2008

Independent Contractor: AFABC Designed and drafted the curricula for a twelve-hour training program for pre and post adoptive families

Adoptive Families Association of BC; Adoption Support Coordinator at Adoptive Families Association of BC

November 2005 - June 2008

Coordinated the regional family support, social, and educational programs for pre and post adoptive families and volunteers. Drafted the Practice Standards Manual for ASC, managed regional contracts and assisted the Team Leader. Provided telephone and face to face support, and facilitated support groups.

Team Leader at Social Care & Health, UK

October 2003 - April 2005

Team Leader: Managed a team of eight child protection social workers investigating allegations of child abuse and neglect. Located in the inner city borough of Lewisham, City of London

Child Protection Social Worker at BC Ministry of Children and Family Development

April 1996 - March 2003

Case management responsibilities for families involved with MCFD due to child protection concerns or requiring support services. Received, assessed, and investigated allegations of child abuse and neglect. Completed risk assessment, and court work. Liaised with police, schools, health care and community service providers.

Regional Foster Care Program Consultant at Alberta Family and Social Services

January 1989 - 1996

Reported to the: A) Regional Manager, Social Support Programs on a direct line basis B) Provincial Foster Care Program Planner on a functional basis Provincial Responsibilities: - Member of the Provincial Foster Care Task Force - Chairperson, Provincial Foster Family Recruitment Sub-Committee - Coordinated the Foster Family Recruitment Manual from concept to completion - Developed and delivered the provincial train the trainer workshop Regional Responsibilities: - Program development, co-ordination, quality assurance, and monitoring - Program Consultant for seven District Offices, agencies, community groups - Supervisor: Regional Foster Care Team - Expenditure Officer - Researched and drafted reports, surveys, policies, guidelines, practice standards - Chaired meetings and training for staff, foster parents, etc - Developed provincial guidelines for Negotiating Special Rates for Foster Parents - Regional AIDS Specialist and program consultant

Foster Care Worker at Alberta Family & Social Serviced: Specialized Foster Care Unite

January 1984 - January 1989

Provided intensive support, training, crisis interventions, advocacy, and information to a caseload of 35 foster families caring for multi-dependently disabled children. Wrote and submitted for publication a journal article: THE MATCHING MODEL: a framework for social work practitioners in foster care program.

Employment Counsellor at Edmonton, AB

January 1979 - January 1982

Assessed client skills, matched individuals, primarily single parent females to jobs and supported their return to the work force. Provided life skills, vocational and parent coaching, and support to clients. Completed all reports and documentation as required

The University of Calgary

1980 – 1984

Bachelor of Social Work

Fanshawe College

1975 – 1978

Diploma

Concentration: Social Work

Fanshawe College

1975 – 1978

Diploma

Concentration: Behavioural Sciences Certificate

University of Toronto

Concentration: Cybercounselling Foundations

Dianne Martin is an advocate of social justice and the professional development of family service providers working with stepfamilies. She enjoys fine arts, reading, relaxing with family and friends, travelling, and long rambling walks with her husband, David Martin and their beloved canine companion, Cleo