Dear Kids Brain Health Champions,

We have lots to celebrate and look forward to this year. We hope you’ll join us!

Meet up with us in Ottawa.

KBHN Annual Conference: Mark your calendar.
Autism Leadership Summit: Help build a more inclusive Canada with us.

Celebrate research and training in our Network. Join us in congratulating this year’s KBHN Outstanding Award winners, and more.

Find out how KBHN is top-of-mind in our nation’s capital. Hear from Network leaders as they advocate for disability justice through government outreach.

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Save the Date for the Kids Brain Health Network Annual Conference 2023, which will be held in Ottawa on October 21-24

Mark your calendar for the Kids Brain Health Network 2023 conference

We invite researchers, trainees, families and community partners to join us in Ottawa from October 21-24 this year. Our theme: Celebrating 14 years of helping kids live their best lives. Along with opportunities to gather and socialize, we will learn together and share knowledge through keynote lectures, panel discussions, poster presentations, exhibitor booths, and more.

Save #KBHNConf2023 to your calendars now:

Add to Calendar

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Event poster for the 2023 Canadian Autism Leadership Summit, which will be held on April 17-19

KBHN’s Partnership with Autism Alliance of Canada directly benefits Canadians

The Autism Alliance of Canada invites people of all abilities to contribute to a robust National Autism Strategy, and to strengthen our collective voice. Attend in Ottawa from April 17-19, and come visit our booth; we are one of the key sponsors for this summit! Livestream options are available too.

Using a rights-based approach to look at autism policies around the world: Connect with the KBHN-Autism Alliance of Canada policy fellows for a session on April 18.

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Portraits of the four KBHN Outstanding Awardees for 2022-2023, with their names.

Join us in congratulating the KBHN Outstanding Awards winners for 2022-2023

Each year we support, promote, and acknowledge those who have shown excellence and dedication within our Network. Congratulations and gratitude to this year’s winners!

Outstanding Trainee Member: Vanessa Tomas
Outstanding Promising Researcher: Jeffrey McCrossin
Outstanding Mentor/Supervisor: Dr. Lucyna Lach
Outstanding Leadership Award for Family Engagement in Research: Dr. Genevieve Currie—the first-ever winner of this new award

Discover More

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Two individuals standing and brainstorming through cards sorted and posted on the office’s glass divider

See how five ventures are making an impact with $2.5 million through active collaboration with our partners

KBHN launched the Strategic Investment Fund (SIF) in 2021, with public and private sector partners contributing nearly $1.9 million to support ventures with strong near-future impact potential… LEARN MORE

The Hill Times article written by Nicola Lewis that reads, ”Health-care resourcing is failing Canada’s most vulnerable children with image of child holding a stuffed toy

Read how health-care resourcing is failing Canada’s most vulnerable children

In this opinion piece, our CEO highlights the crucial work needed to work towards a future where healthcare services and supports are accessible towards children with NDDs… READ MORE

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Nicola Lewis meets with Members of Parliament Charles Sousa and Lena Metlege Diab, and with Dr. Andrea Cross and Connie Putterman from KBHN’s Family Engagement in Research program

In photo: Nicola Lewis meets with Members of Parliament Charles Sousa and Lena Metlege Diab, joined by Dr. Andrea Cross and Connie Putterman from KBHN’s Family Engagement in Research (FER) Program.

Follow our meetings on Parliament Hill

Nicola Lewis met with key decision-makers in Ottawa in February this year, raising awareness of the work of Kids Brain Health Network among elected officials, while gathering support from Members of Parliament for KBHN’s application to the Strategic Science Fund.

Find Out More

KBHN CEO Nicola Lewis presents about the Family Engagement in Research (FER) program at the House of Commons, Standing Committee on Science and Research Meeting held in Ottawa on February 16

See how KBHN championed Family Engagement in Research at the House of Commons

In February, our CEO, Nicola Lewis was invited to speak to the Standing Committee on Science and Research (SRSR) about KBHN and also presented the Family Engagement in Research (FER) program with Donna Thomson, Dr. Andrea Cross and Connie Putterman. Nicola presented on the importance of Citizen Scientists in the health sector, particularly for children with neurodevelopmental disabilities and their families.

Watch Now

A person in a wheelchair sitting at a desk, with the text: #HUMA Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities, with the House of Commons crest

KBHN provides recommendations for Bill C-22— the Canada Disability Benefit Act

Last November, KBHN teamed up with the School of Public Policy at the University of Calgary on a submission for Bill C-22, the Canada Disability Benefit Act. Under the leadership of Dr. Jennifer Zwicker, Deputy Scientific Officer of KBHN and Director of the Disability Policy Research Program, our submission in support of the bill made several recommendations.

Learn More

Kids Brain Health Network, situated at Simon Fraser University (SFU) Burnaby, respectfully acknowledges the unceded traditional territories of the Coast Salish peoples, including the səl̓ilw̓ətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh), kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (Kwikwetlem), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish) and xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) Nations.