Kids Brain Health Network was established as a network of researchers and clinicians seeking to understand brain development, with the specific goal of mobilizing this knowledge to improve the lives of children living with neurodevelopmental disabilities and their families. As the Network moves forward, this is the perfect time to reflect on the past and the evolution of KBHN to be an entity dedicated to the implementation of research innovations that impact the lives of children and families. To this end, we recognize and celebrate the essential role that partner organizations, front line service workers, educators, and parents, embedded as active, contributing members within research teams, play in achieving our shared vision; namely, that all children living with neurodevelopmental disabilities enjoy quality of life, inclusion in all aspects of society and reach their full potential.
Each year, the goal of the KBHN Annual Conference is to celebrate KBHN funded research, partnerships and successes. It is a venue for sharing and listening to the perspectives of researchers, partners, families and stakeholders across the full spectrum of the Network’s programs, from research discoveries and implementation strategies to policy dialog. A combination of plenary talks, an interactive panel and round table discussions, and trainee presentations (both oral and poster) display the breadth and depth of the Network’s research programs and knowledge mobilization activities.
Upcoming Conference
Thank you for your interest. More information On the 2024 conference will soon be released.
Previous Conferences
The Kids Brain Health Network (KBHN) is excited to welcome researchers, clinicians, parents, and caregivers to its 13th Annual Conference, happening from October 21 to 24 in Ottawa, Canada.
With the theme of Celebrating 14 years of helping kids live their best lives, this year’s conference promises to be an enlightening and informative event for anyone interested in the field of neurodevelopmental disabilities.
Attendees can expect to participate in engaging discussions, learn from top experts in the field, and connect with peers and collaborators. While the event website and registration will be live soon, we would like to share some important information in the meantime.
The KBHN Annual conference will be held in conjunction with the International Society for Developmental Origins of Health and Disease (DOHaD) and DOHaD Canada, August 27-31, 2022, in Vancouver.
We are delighted to be holding our 12th annual conference in partnership with the DOHaD 2022 International Congress! This partnership will expand the global audience to KBHN’s work.
This year’s theme is “Social and Environmental Disruptions in DOHaD: Successful Interventions for a Healthy Future”, with keynote speakers from around the world, and sub-themes concerning new aspects and mechanisms of DOHaD, pre-pregnancy and paternal influences, the impact of DOHaD on first nations, refugees and migrant populations, and the impact of environment and climate change on DOHaD.
On November 8-9, 2021, Kids Brain Health Network will be hosting its second-ever virtual conference (#KBHNConf2021). The theme for this year’s conference is “Realizing Change through Partnerships and Research Innovation.” This virtual installment of the annual event is a celebration and exhibition of all of the achievements that Kids Brain Health Network and its partners have made to further ensure better outcomes for children with neurodevelopmental disabilities.
While traditionally an in-person conference, many adjustments have been made to maximize audience engagement and participation. There will be trivia, polls, games, and many opportunities to network with other attendees at the conference. In short, both days will be filled with events and presentations that promise to make this year’s conference will be the best yet.
April 2020 marked the start of a further three-year renewal for Kids Brain Health Network and the beginning of a new era – an era that continues to focus on three significant challenges that are critical across virtually all neurodevelopmental disabilities: early identification, evidence-based interventions, and enhanced family support. Only this time, with 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 ways of delivering services and supports.
Centred around the theme of “Building Partnerships that Impact Communities,” KBHN hosted its annual conference in Ottawa from the 10th to the 11th of December.
The 2019 Kids Brain Health Conference will be held in conjunction with the Children’s Healthcare Canada (CHC) Annual Conference. Our network communities share a common vision and strive to meet the challenges of children and families with complex medical and psychosocial needs. Subsequently, this year’s conference provides us with an exciting opportunity to build new connections with members of CHC; a long-time partner of KBHN. In combining our conferences, KBHN members will have the opportunity to share and connect with a wider complement of stakeholder attendees.
