Kids Brain Health Network (KBHN) and Mitacs have awarded Dr. Samantha Noyek funding to study the impact of a program designed to support families of children with neurodevelopmental concerns who are early on in their experience with receiving services.

“The program can support families throughout the journey of navigating diagnosis and healthcare access, especially during tough times of uncertainty,” said Samantha. “There are lots of evidence-based programs that empower parents and support their well-being, but most of them haven’t been focused on families early on in their journey of developmental services.”

ENVISAGE, or Enabling Visions and Growing Expectations, is a series of workshops that strengthens parents’ confidence and equips them with resources to navigate the complexities of raising children with neurodevelopmental disabilities.

Samantha’s project, supported by the KBHN-Mitacs Award, collaborates with KidsAbility, a Children’s Treatment Centre in Ontario, to explore the process of adapting and delivering the ENVISAGE program to families.

Clinical manager at KidsAbility, Cynthia Lennon, emphasized the importance of the project: “Sam is building a vital connection between research and practice. Her role in understanding and implementing ENVISAGE within our context has significantly benefited our organization and our families.  Her work is positioned to be instrumental in expanding the program to other institutions across the province and nationwide.”

 

Building a career rooted in impact

Samantha credits KBHN for helping shape her research approach and cultivating partnerships that have supported her career. “I was provided with the opportunity to take part in training funded by KBHN that shaped my understanding of implementation science,” she said.

KBHN has a strong partnership with The Centre of Implementation to help prepare the next generation of leaders in the field of neurodevelopmental disability to successfully spread and scale programs like ENVISAGE.

Samantha also highlighted the value of the partnerships made through KBHN committees and collaborative projects.

Enhancing the quality of life for children with neurodevelopmental disabilities has guided Samantha’s journey. Originally aspiring to become a doctor, her experience volunteering at Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital and exposure to family-centred care reshaped her career path.

She pursued a doctorate in rehabilitation science at Queen’s University, where she met her primary supervisor, Dr. Nora Fayed, who introduced her to KBHN. Through her doctoral studies, she explored the emotional well-being of children with complex communication needs, deepening her understanding of family engagement in pediatric care. Samantha was privileged to have a second supervisor, Dr. Claire Davies, based in the Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, who reinforced her understanding of assistive technology in the context of her work.

Her passion for meaningful research led her to the CanChild Centre for Childhood-Onset Disability Research, where she is currently a postdoctoral fellow and where ENVISAGE was developed.

“Samantha’s dedication to implementation science and family-centred research is truly inspiring. Her work with ENVISAGE is bridging the gap between research and real-world application, ensuring that families receive the support they need at critical times,” said Dr. Andrea Cross, lead of ENVISAGE and assistant professor at McMaster University.

 

Advancing family-centred care

Samantha’s work exemplifies the connection between research and application. One of the most significant voices attesting to her contributions comes from the families directly benefiting from the program. “Since the sessions are facilitated by both a parent and a service provider, the conversations in the workshops are a unique opportunity to share our challenges, ideas and successes, so that caregivers can learn from one another, and feel empowered as active participants in the well-being and development of our children,” said Alison Schmalz, EVISAGE Parent Partner at KidsAbility.

With the support of the KBHN-Mitacs Award, Samantha’s goal is to establish the foundation for expanding the program beyond Ontario, potentially implementing it across Canada to support more families navigating the challenges of neurodevelopmental disabilities.

Samantha also hopes to continue advancing implementation projects, ensuring that evidence-based interventions reach the families who need them most.

“I am thankful for the support from KBHN and Mitacs,” she said. “This award is not about my work—it’s about the families we serve and the broader community working toward meaningful change.”

 

About the KBHN-Mitacs Awards

Since 2020, KBHN and Mitacs have collaborated to fund trainees pursuing projects that enhance services and support for children with neurodevelopmental disabilities, their families, and caregivers. Applications from full-time undergraduate and graduate students, as well as postdoctoral fellows from all disciplines interested in neurodevelopmental disability research in Canada, are accepted on a rolling basis. For more information, visit the KBHN-Mitacs Awards page.