WELCOME
Welcome to the first ever 2020 Kids Brain Health Virtual Conference. KBHN is thrilled to share this momentous occasion with you.
April 2020 marked the start of Cycle III for Kids Brain Health Network and the beginning of a new era. This era continues to focus on three significant challenges that are critical across virtually all neurodevelopmental disabilities: early identification, evidence-based interventions, and enhanced family support. Concentrating on each of these challenges ensures that each child reaches their full capacity. Only this time, there is a new emphasis on implementation and the importance of accelerating research findings into practice.
Since the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic on March 11, 2020, our community has faced unprecedented challenges. Challenges such as the continuance of valuable research and training, the mobilizing of community agencies to continue services and supports and increased difficulties for children with NDD and their families in accessing such supports from a home base. Navigating in these rapidly developing times calls for new ways of connecting and emerging modes of delivering services and supports.
This focus aligns with our 2020 Virtual Conference’s theme: “New and emerging ways of connecting.” Per our annual conference, KBHN will focus on these challenges and innovative solutions along with the vital role of technology, innovation and policy decision-making in an ever-changing world. In doing so, we will continue to seek solutions to address the challenges faced by children and families impacted by neurodevelopmental disabilities.
With that said, we would also like to take this moment to thank the program committee, KBHN staff, contractors and conference sponsors who have worked tirelessly to provide you an immersive, inspiring and thought-provoking four-day conference.
Without their efforts, this would not be possible.