Vancouver, March 4, 2024
A therapeutic program for family caregivers of children with neurodevelopmental disabilities is expanding its reach, thanks to a generous contribution from the Petro-Canada CareMakers Foundation™ to Kids Brain Health Foundation. An investment of $150,000 to the Acceptance and Commitment Training (ACT) program will bolster the access and reach of this program to Black and Indigenous communities and support efforts to adapt and implement ACT for and with family caregivers in these communities.
Children and youth with neurodevelopmental disabilities (NDDs) such as autism, fetal alcohol spectrum disorder and cerebral palsy often have great needs that are difficult to meet. From medical care to schooling to personal care, aspects of their daily lives may be challenging. The existing systems of support are frequently inaccessible or inadequate, which means that their parents or guardians must advocate for them and fill in the gaps.
This reality puts high levels of strain on these family caregivers, who are often juggling other responsibilities as well. Acceptance and Commitment Training (ACT) aims to increase psychological flexibility through group-based experiential exercises and activities that help family caregivers to cope with psychological stress while strengthening their mental health.
Since 2021, a team of therapists, researchers and family leaders has been implementing ACT for Caregivers across Canada with the most recent support from the Kids Brain Health Network (KBHN), a national organization that improves the lives of children with neurodevelopmental disabilities and their families by mobilizing evidence-based solutions. Now, with the support of the Kids Brain Health Foundation, this investment from the Petro-Canada CareMakers Foundation, which raises funds to amplify the work of charitable organizations that support family caregivers, the ACT program team will reach out to Indigenous and Black communities and work with them to adapt and implement ACT for Caregivers in their communities.
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Leila Fenc, Executive Director, Petro-Canada CareMakers Foundation said, “We’re thrilled to support the Acceptance and Commitment Training caregiver program through this grant so the program can be extended to family caregivers in Black and Indigenous communities to provide them with the care and resources they need.” |
For instance, this investment will support the work of Shkaabe Makwa, the Centre for First Nations, Inuit and Métis wellness at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH). Shkaabe Makwa Community Support Specialist Louis Busch will facilitate events in three provinces which will provide caregivers with culturally-relevant self-care tools that bring together ACT and traditional Indigenous teachings to effectively manage difficult thoughts and emotions.
Dr. Kenneth Fung at University Health Network and Dr. Johanna Lake and Dr. Yona Lunsky at CAMH, collaborating with Dr. Ullanda Niel and Dorothee Chopamba MSW at Scarborough Centre for Healthy Communities, will work closely with Black caregivers, community leaders, and community organizations to deliver ACT to support Black caregivers. Through this initiative, they will culturally adapt the intervention to increase its cultural relevance and appropriateness for Black caregivers and build capacity in the community for mutual support and collective empowerment. Learnings will inform the approach to benefit other diverse communities in the future.
“As a foundation that is committed to the principles of equity, diversity and inclusion, we are thrilled that CareMakers is empowering us to ensure that this beneficial program is accessible to all, including groups that can be harder to reach,” said Dr Sheila Laredo, Board Chair, Kids Brain Health Foundation. “Family caregivers perform an invaluable and too-often overlooked role; they deserve/need all the support we can provide them.”
“ACT for Caregivers is one of over a dozen initiatives that Kids Brain Health is advancing to enable better outcomes for kids with NDDs and their families,” said Jane Dafoe, Senior Director, Philanthropy, Kids Brain Health Foundation. “Our reach is limited only by our current funding levels, so we welcome this partnership with Petro-Canada CareMakers Foundation and encourage others who share our goals to join us as well,” Dafoe added.
ACT for Caregivers is co-delivered by at least one clinician and one caregiver with lived experience. Studies have shown that it can reduce symptoms of mental-health challenges such as depression and anxiety, and even boost physical health. It also improves participants’ psychological flexibility and helps them forge connections with other people living through similar experiences.
“There is a sense of joy I find after each workshop ends,” says family caregiver and ACT for Caregivers co-facilitator Lee Steel. “They remind me that I am not alone, and that despite ethnic, cultural or age differences, as parents we are all striving to help our children live the best lives possible. The workshops also remind me to treasure this time we have together, not getting lost in past regrets or future anxieties. This provides a purpose for my life.”
About Kids Brain Health Foundation (KBHF)
Together with the national organization Kids Brain Health Network, the Foundation harnesses scientific advances with the goal of helping children with neurodevelopmental disabilities and their families to live their best lives. By sparking collective action across sectors, it aims to build a world where children of all abilities can thrive and be happy, and where families have the tools, resources and support they need to confidently nurture and raise all their children, including those with a neurodevelopmental disability.
More information is available at: https://kidsbrainhealth.ca/about/donate/
About the Petro-Canada CareMakers Foundation
Launched in 2020, the Petro-Canada CareMakers FoundationTM creates awareness about family caregiving in Canada and inspires Canadians to help by raising funds to enable charitable organizations across the country to provide critical programs and resources for family caregivers. CareMakers also convenes and collaborates with others in the caregiving sector to create innovative new programs, resources and tools. CareMakers is a registered Canadian Charity that receives contributions from Suncor, the proud owner of Petro-Canada™, as well as other corporate and individual donors.
More information is available at: https://www.caremakers.ca/about
About Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) for Caregivers
ACT for Caregivers helps people to focus on their own mental health. It’s a mindfulness-based therapy grounded in evidence that is about supporting people in accepting pain and moving beyond suffering to fully engage with meaningful and committed living.
More information is available at: https://actforcaregivers.com/
About Shkaabe Makwa at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH)
Shkaabe Makwa at CAMH is the first hospital-based Centre in Canada designed to drive culturally-responsive systems initiatives to achieve health justice and wellness for First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities through the advancement of research, workforce development and innovative healing models that harmonize traditional knowledge and medical expertise.
More information is available at: https://www.camh.ca/shkaabemakwa
For media queries, please contact:
Prachi Jatania, Communications Manager
Kids Brain Health Network
Email: communications@kidsbrainhealth.ca
