Dear Kids Brain Health Champions,
In this latest edition of our fall newsletter, we’re excited to share big news, interesting updates from our project teams, and a glimpse of what else to look forward to in the upcoming months.
Here’s what to expect in this fall newsletter:
- You are invited to a Golden Gathering: KBHN’s Annual Conference 2023
- KBHN Debuts its Digital-First Impact Report for 2021-22
- September is FASD awareness month: Join us to learn about FASD through lived experience stories and awareness materials from KBHN and its network of partners.
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You are invited to a Golden Gathering:
KBHN’s Annual Conference 2023
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KBHN extends a warm invitation to its Annual Conference 2023.
Join us in Ottawa, Canada, from October 21 to 24, 2023 for enlightening discussions, insights from top experts, and connections with peers and collaborators. We extend our thanks to our sponsors for their generous contributions.
Theme: Celebrating 14 Years of Helping Kids Live Their Best Lives
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Fraser Mustard Lecture: The Fraser Mustard Lecture has been a signature event at the Kids Brain Health Network’s annual conference since 2012. This lecture is dedicated to the memory of Fraser Mustard, a world-renowned clinician and researcher who pioneered research on the importance of early child development.
This year’s lecture theme is “Childhood Disability in the 21st Century: Can We Create a Canadian Model for the World?” Our distinguished guest speaker, Dr. Peter Rosenbaum, will explore innovative solutions to address the unique challenges faced by children with disabilities today. Dr. Peter Rosenbaum is a co-founder of CanChild and a Professor in the Department of Pediatrics, McMaster University. |
| Plenary Session: Join us for an electrifying plenary session where two extraordinary change leaders bring a multisectoral perspective on how to bridge the gap between knowledge creation and uptake to enhance outcomes for children with neurodevelopmental disabilities. Our speakers will be Dr. Susanne Benseler (Director, Alberta Children’s Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary) and Sue Robins (Healthcare Activist, Speaker, and Author). |
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| Attendees can expect to participate in engaging discussions, learn from top experts in the field, and connect with peers and collaborators. |
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KBHN Training Days (October 21-22, 2023): Two days of pre-conference workshops across focus areas of implementation, commercialization, family engagement in research, networking, and career pathways. It’s the perfect start to an enriching journey.
Invite-only Reception at the Parliament House: On the sidelines of our annual gathering, KBHN is also excited to host an invite-only, VIP reception ‘On the Hill’ in the Parliament house complex as an opportunity for our guests to engage with key policymakers in the capital, gathering awareness of our work.
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| Navigating Childhood Disability Policy in Canada: Discussing perspectives from Families and Case Law: Our upcoming “Disability Policy in Canada” report, is a collaboration between researchers at the Disability Policy Research Program, McGill University, and KBHN. The report provides a comprehensive view of federal disability policy It includes laws, action plans, and government programs, alongside crucial family perspectives. Join us at the KBHN Conference to explore these findings in the session “Navigating Childhood Disability Policy in Canada.” |
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| The 2021-2022 Impact Report showcases how the network and its many like-minded partners have worked tirelessly to advance evidence-based solutions and support their implementation to reach and benefit as many kids as possible. |
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Join us this September as we come together to raise awareness for Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD)
Follow us on social media to spread FASD awareness all September long! 💚 Use #FASDMonth2023 to join the conversation and make a difference.
📖 Blog Spotlight: Dive into “The Power in Shared Experiences: Deepening Belonging Through Peer Connections” by Tracy Moisan. Tracy, a passionate supporter of loved ones with FASD, is the Program Director of FASD & Me: Strengthening My Community program with Adopt4Life.
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How KBHN Empowers Children with Disabilities and their Families
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While there continues to be great advancement in the science of children’s brain health, these discoveries often don’t make it to the children and families who need it. Kids Brain Health Network exists to change this.
Watch KBHN CEO Nicky Lewis as she talks about how KBHN funded research enables earlier diagnosis, unveils effective treatments, and uncovers better ways to support kids and families.
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| Our Board of Directors is a team of skilled and dedicated professionals across the country. All are rich in experience and have an active interest in helping Kids Brain Health Network realize its vision. |
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KBHN Board Vice Chair, Sara Saber Freedman appointed Board Co-chair
We congratulate and welcome our Board member, Sara Saber Freedman, as KBHN Board Co-chair to continue work alongside Geoff Pradella. Sara has been a KBHN Board member since 2019 and became Vice-chair in 2021. Our Board will now have Sara and Geoff as Co-chairs to jointly continue this important work.
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Commenting on her new role, Sara shares, “KBHN’s goal is to provide families of children with neurodevelopmental disorders with research-proven tools that improve their daily lives, taking a community-based approach and engaging families from start to finish. I’m proud to contribute to advancing this unique mission and honored to serve as KBHN’s Co-Chair.”
Learn more about Sara Saber Freedman »
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Welcoming a new Host Institution Representative: Valorie Crooks
We are delighted to welcome SFU’s new Associate Vice President, Research (AVPR) Valorie Crooks as the representative for our host institution—Simon Fraser University (SFU). She will be joining the KBHN Board as the representative for SFU. Valorie succeeds Dr Michael Richards in this position.
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Her tenure as SFU’s Associate Vice-President, Research pro tem, will run from July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2024. Valorie is a prominent health geographer and health services researcher. We look forward to collaborating with Valorie as a member of the KBHN Board.
We would like to extend our thanks to Michael Richards who was Board member and Host Institute representative member of the KBHN Board since July 2022. Richards moved on from his position in pursuit of an exciting research opportunity.
Learn more about Valorie Crooks »
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Additionally, we are thrilled to extend our warmest congratulations to Geoff Pradella for his well-deserved appointment as the new Chief Strategy Officer (CSO) at the Alberta Health Services
Read more »
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We would also like to thank Dr. Christine Williams for her important work as member of the KBHN Board.
Christine will be moving on from her role as a volunteer Board member of KBHN. She was involved with the Network since September 2020. Christine informed us that she has accepted a prestigious new role as Executive Director of the Canadian Pediatric Cancer Consortium (CPCC).
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Autism Alliance of Canada and Kids Brain Health Network partner on a global discussion on national autism strategies
At the United Nations’ 16th Session of the Conference of States Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (COSP16), an esteemed group of diverse panelists shared insights to build a more comprehensive and effective global approach to supporting people with autism and promoting their full participation in all aspects of society.
Read more »
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The Online F-Words Foundations Course is Now Live
The Online F-Words Foundations Course has formally launched and is available for free to anyone in the world. Funded by KBHN, this training course will introduce the F-words for Child Development: Family, Fun, Friends, Functioning, Fitness and Future. The course will also provide guidance on how to use this approach in everyday life and practice.
Read more »
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KBHN’s Eminent Role: Notable Moments from DOHaD World Congress 2022
The DOHaD World Congress was held in a meaningful partnership between between KBHN, the International DOHaD Society and DOHaD Canada. This groundbreaking event brought together 1,014 delegates from over 50 countries. KBHN’s prominent role underscores the power of partnership and shared knowledge, propelling the global scientific community towards new frontiers of discovery.
Download the newsletter here »
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KBHN Submits Pre- Budget Brief: Ensuring Optimal Care and Better Outcomes for Children with NDDs in Canada.
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KBHN has submitted a budget brief to the Canadian government recommending that the government provide funding in the amount of $50 million over 5 years to ensure and implement early identification, optimal care and better outcomes for children with neurodevelopmental disabilities in Canada through the work of the Kids Brain Health Network (KBHN).
Read the full pre-budget brief here »
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KBHN proudly supports the CanFASD Conference 2023
KBHN stands at the forefront of addressing the challenges of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). Recognizing its intricate nature, KBHN advocates for interdisciplinary collaboration, linking justice, education, health care, and more in addressing this complex issue.
In alignment with this commitment, KBHN is a proud sponsor at the CanFASD Conference 2023. This event is a vital platform for uniting minds and ideas in the pursuit of a better understanding of FASD.
Learn more about it here »
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KBHN joins Children’s Healthcare Canada’s Annual Conference “Flip the Script”
We are delighted to extend our support to Children’s Healthcare Canada’s annual conference, taking place from December 3-5, 2023 in downtown Vancouver.
This event will focus on “right-sizing children’s health systems for the future.” The theme “Flip the Script: High Performing Health Systems for Kids,” promises to ignite conversations that will shape the future of child healthcare.
Learn more about it here »
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You’re invited to be part of a groundbreaking research:
Research Title: “CHILD-BRIGHT National Assessment of Facilitators and Barriers to Implementation of Early Intensive Manual Therapy for Young Children with Cerebral Palsy”
Purpose: Help understand what makes therapy work for young kids with cerebral palsy, and what hinders it. Your insights will shape better therapy solutions across Canada.
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