Many people with neurodevelopmental disabilities have unnecessarily poor outcomes in education, employment, quality of life and other areas because their needs are not properly met. The barriers they face include gaps in services and supports, along with burdensome fragmentation of those services that do exist.
Kids Brain Health Network’s Deputy Scientific Officer, Dr. Jennifer Zwicker, is working to address these problems and has been awarded a CIHR Tier II Canada Research Chair in Disability Policy for Children and Youth to further her research efforts. This position will allow Dr. Zwicker to build upon her recent investigations into the unmet needs of children and youth with neurodevelopmental disabilities and their families.
Dr. Zwicker’s research program examines the socioeconomic costs and benefits of programs and interventions, in order to identify the most effective, efficient and equitable ways to allocate public resources. As a Canada Research Chair in Disability Policy for Children and Youth, Dr. Zwicker’s investigations will inform improvements in public policies that will make it easier for all families to thrive.
“Getting evidence-based disability policy implemented is part of KBHN’s mission, because it has the potential to make a huge difference for children and families across Canada,” adds Board Chair David Kuik. “We’re glad that the CRC program recognizes the importance of system-level improvement to service accessibility and delivery, which will allow more people with neurodevelopmental disabilities to reach their full potential.”
Zwicker has a background in both neurodevelopment and public policy, making her well-suited for both the CRC role and her continuing role as Deputy Scientific Officer for KBHN.
“The Canada Research Chair Program invests in world-class researchers,” says KBHN’s Chief Scientific Officer, Dr. James Reynolds, “and there is no doubt that Dr. Zwicker is establishing herself as a national and international leader in her field. We’re proud to have a member of our Network recognized in this way, and as a member of KBHN’s leadership team, Dr. Zwicker will continue to play a key role in building the Network’s framework for implementation of research innovations into new practices and policies to benefit children and families impacted by neurodevelopmental disabilities.”
