Driven by a strong commitment to improving family-centred care, Dr. Jeffrey McCrossin took an unconventional path from engineering to social work and now uses his KBHN-Mitacs Award to explore best practices for making support programs more inclusive.
“As a broader society, we are not doing enough to reach communities that may lack access to support for various reasons,” said Jeffrey. “My goal with this project is to identify the most promising approaches to culturally competent and diverse program delivery that can be implemented across Canada.”
Before becoming a clinician scientist, social worker and psychotherapist, Jeffrey initially started his academic path in engineering. He soon realized his deep interest in human connections, leading him to study psychology and pursue two graduate degrees in Social Work and Couple and Family Therapy. “The initial family therapy training I received in Nova Scotia while working in community mental health was a huge turning point for me,” he reflected. “I was familiar with family-centred care but didn’t fully grasp the importance of working with families as a whole, not just as individuals.”
Determined to make a broader impact, Jeffrey pursued a doctorate in Social Work at McGill University under the supervision of Dr. Lucyna Lach. His recently defended thesis examines the evolving challenges and supports available to families of children with neurodevelopmental disabilities. Lucy, who first introduced Jeffrey to KBHN, highlighted his contributions to the field.
“Jeff’s research brings a true focus on ‘family’ into the neuroscience space. His interest in how families remain resilient in the face of adversity, the supports that contribute to their well-being, and how families from diverse backgrounds navigate access to what they need to support their children are creating pathways for more accessible and family-centred services,” she noted.
Jeff presenting a research poster at the 2023 KBHN Conference.
Embedding lived experiences in programs
Jeffrey’s previous involvement with the Family Support Institute (FSI) of British Columbia inspired the focus of his KBHN-Mitacs project. In his research evaluating their peer support program, he explored the impact of caregivers bringing their lived experiences to help other families of children with neurodevelopmental disabilities navigate the healthcare system.
“Caregiver peer support is valuable in connecting families with people who truly understand their experiences,” said Angela Clancy, Executive Director of FSI. “Jeff has been vital in strengthening the delivery of these programs and ensuring that they are not only evidence-based but also informed by the caregivers.”
Jeffrey was a visiting scholar at Université Paris Cité, where he examined caregiver peer supports, professionalized family peer support, built international connections, and documented best practices. This experience deepened his understanding of cultural and contextual differences in peer support needs and directly informed his KBHN-Mitacs project and work with FSI, emphasizing culturally responsive and evidence-based support models.
Breaking down barriers to support
Inclusive family supports have evolved over the years, and through the KBHN-Mitacs Award, Jeffrey aims to engage communities and identify strategies that resonate with them. His ultimate goal is to break down barriers and ensure that more families, particularly those from historically underserved communities, can access meaningful support.
“My agenda is to push for more support for families because they are the backbone of our society, and caregivers are the true leaders within them. Family resilience doesn’t just happen on its own; it’s a process that requires meaningful support from society. We have a responsibility to create systems that recognize and respond to the needs of caregivers,” he said.
Jeffrey credits KBHN for cultivating a supportive and collaborative research environment throughout his academic and professional journey. The connections he has made within the Network—from leading experts to fellow PhD candidates—have been instrumental in shaping and sustaining his work.
“I’ve had opportunities to engage in meaningful research and relationships through KBHN. This Network has been supportive in very practical ways, and I’m extremely grateful,” he said.
Jeff and his daughter enjoying a snowy day in the Laurentians.
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.
