Ms. Harawitz holds a Masters of Social Work degree from Dalhousie University, Nova Scotia, Canada, and a Certificate for Mediation in Child Protection from the British Columbia Institute of Justice in Canada.
With over thirty years of experience as an advocate, practitioner, administrator, community services consultant and author, she is known for her innovative approach in finding solutions to complex problematic situations involving children and families and the social welfare system. Her work is featured in the film documentary, 'Nicholas', Canadian National Film Board, 1989 which was aired on the CBC documentary program 'Man Alive'.
As a children's advocate, Ms. Harawitz has been a keynote speaker at a number of provincial and national conferences. In 1991 she presented her model of Innovative Community Health Intervention for Children at the United Nations World Congress Health Exposition in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Ms. Harawitz served as President of the Nova Scotia Association of Social Work during 1994-96. She was the receiver of the prestigious 'Progress Women of Excellence Award' in Halifax, Nova Scotia in 1994 for her innovative work in Community Health Initiatives. She was selected as one of the first Nova Scotia provincial mediators to pioneer the Provincial Child Protection Mediation program. In 1997 she was the recipient of the International Data Corporation Annual Research Award for her expertise in business planning and administration.
Ms. Harawitz is currently a member of the Child Welfare Committee of the Nova Scotia Association of Social Workers, The Family SOS Commttee for Reunification/Family Group Conference and Chair of the Nova Scotia Community Services Minister's Advisory Committee on the Nova Scotia Children and Family Services Act and Adoption Information Act.