Families of young children with possible developmental delays often wait more than a year for diagnosis and therapy. During this critical period of development, parents are frequently left without the guidance and support they need.

To help bridge this gap, Canadian healthcare providers, researchers, and caregivers developed BRIGHT Coaching—a virtual program designed to empower families while they wait for services. The program equips caregivers with practical skills and strategies to support their child’s development and navigate the healthcare system.

Early testing across four Canadian provinces showed promising results. Caregivers who participated reported feeling more confident and empowered, less stressed, and better prepared to access and navigate available services.

This project will explore how BRIGHT Coaching can be integrated into everyday health and community services in two Canadian provinces. Working closely with parents, coaches, clinicians, and decision-makers across Canada, we will examine what makes the program effective, what adaptations may be needed, and how it can be successfully implemented within different provincial health systems.

The project findings will inform practical strategies for integrating, sustaining, and scaling BRIGHT Coaching nationally. By improving access to support during long wait times, this research aims to reduce family stress, strengthen service delivery, and enhance Canada’s capacity to support families of children with developmental concerns. BRIGHT coaching will help ensure children receive the support they need during a crucial stage of development.

Award

  • Kids Brain Health Network: $199,822.76

Partners

  • Coco’s Place Foundation
  • St. Amant

Team

  • Principal Investigator: Dr. Tatiana Ogourtsova
  • Co-Principal Investigator Lead: Dr. Annette Majnemer
  • Co-Principal Investigator Lead: Dr. Ana Hanlon-Dearman
  • Co-Principal Investigator Lead: Dr. André Bussières
  • Co-Principal Investigator Lead: Dr. Maureen O’Donnell
  • Co-Principal Investigator Lead and parent partner: Carrie Costello
  • Primary Research Coordinator: Hana MacDougall
  • Research Associate: Dr. Monica Vaillancourt
  • Parent-partner in British Columbia: Mandy Young
  • Parent-partner in British Columbia: Tamlyn Smith
  • Parent-partner in Manitoba: Ifeoma Okwor
  • Collaborator and National Lead Coach: Allison Mounsey
  • Partner lead, Director and community organization: Sharon McCarry (Coco’s Place Foundation)
  • Partner lead, Manager of Social Work and Counselling – Jordan’s Principle: Tracey Kolbauer (St-Amant)