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 | Dear Kids Brain Health Champions,
As we observe Black History Month this February, Kids Brain Health Network (KBHN) honours the legacy, contributions, and excellence of Black people in Canada and worldwide. We acknowledge the significant role that Black Canadians and their communities have played in shaping the nation's cultural diversity, compassion, and prosperity.
At KBHN, we are committed to strengthening initiatives like the Acceptance and Commitment Training (ACT) program to co-develop tailored support with Black caregivers of individuals with neurodevelopmental disabilities. "Inclusion for all Canadians is at the core of our mission, and we are dedicated to supporting underserved individuals and communities," said KBHN COO Kim van der Hoek.
The 2025 Black History Month theme is "Black Legacy and Leadership: Celebrating Canadian History and Uplifting Future Generations." We encourage you to participate in events that highlight the diversity of Black Canadians, the importance of Black leadership, and the lasting legacy being created for future generations.
Join us in celebrating the contributions of Black families, professionals, and communities in advancing neurodevelopmental disability research and reaffirming our dedication to fostering a more inclusive and supportive future for all children and families. |
| | In this edition, we’re excited to share stories and important updates: |
|  | | The Disability Policy in Canada: Provincial and Territorial Report, prepared by the Disability Policy Research Program at the University of Calgary School of Public Policy and researchers from McGill University for KBHN, reveals shortcomings in provincial and territorial disability programs and services and calls into question whether Canada is living up to its obligations under a United Nations (UN) treaty to protect the rights of persons with disabilities.
Based on research, including an online survey of 499 parents and caregivers, as well as follow-up interviews and feedback from peer reviewers, the report cites barriers that impede persons with disabilities and their caregivers from accessing the supports they need. |
| | | | | In a recent article by the Toronto Guardian, KBHN CEO Geoff Pradella highlights the incredible work being done by the Network and Kids Brain Health Foundation (KBHF). The partnership between KBHN and KBHF has been pivotal in funding research, training future innovators, and empowering communities with the resources to help children reach their full potential. |
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| | | | KBHF is pleased to welcome Shannon Gill as its new Chief Fund Development Officer. With over 20 years of experience in the government and non-profit sectors, Shannon brings a wealth of expertise to help drive sustainable growth and create a lasting impact.
After serving as Chief of Staff under four Government of Alberta ministers and holding leadership roles in educational institutions, Shannon is returning to the world of philanthropy—this time, with a focus on helping children with neurodevelopmental disabilities live their best lives. |
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| | | | The deadline for nominations for the 2024-2025 Annual Outstanding Awards has been extended to February 28, 2025! These awards recognize exceptional contributions to neurodevelopmental disability research and family engagement.
This year’s categories include: Outstanding Trainee Member Award Outstanding Promising Researcher Award Outstanding Mentor/Supervisor Award Outstanding Leadership Award in Family Engagement in Research (FER)
Important Dates: Nomination Deadline (extended): February 28, 2025 Award Notice: March 14, 2025
For more information, please contact training@kidsbrainhealth.ca. |
| | | | | Join KBHN Chief Scientist Dr. Jennifer Zwicker at the upcoming Children’s Healthcare Canada Conference on April 14 to 15 in Ottawa, Ontario. Co-led with Brittany Finlay, the session will focus on “Right sizing childhood disability services: Analysis of health and social programs across provinces and territories.” They will present the Disability Policy in Canada: Provincial and Territorial Report, co-developed with Dr. Lucyna Lach and Samuel Ragot, with input from families, caregivers and partners across the country. The report connects these policies with key articles from the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UN CRPD), offering a critical lens on how well Canadian policies align with global human rights standards. |
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| | | 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.” |
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| | KBHN and CHILD-BRIGHT team up to strengthen youth engagement in research |
| The CHILD-BRIGHT Network and Kids Brain Health Network (KBHN) are teaming up to support youth engagement in brain-based developmental disability research. Effective as of January 2025, this partnership will allow KBHN-funded researchers and project teams to enhance their research and policy initiatives through consultation with CHILD-BRIGHT’s National Youth Advocacy Council (NYAC). In turn, CHILD-BRIGHT’s youth research partners engage in meaningful consultations and collaborations that will foster valuable skill-building, experiential, and networking opportunities. |
| | | Provinces and territories must work together to eliminate barriers for persons with disabilities: report |
| Brittany Finlay and KBHN Chief Scientist Dr. Jennifer Zwicker published an article in The Hill Times, emphasizing that collaboration between provincial and territorial governments is essential to closing accessibility gaps in policy. “The situation is so bad, children are sometimes on waiting lists for years and age out of programs before they can access them,” write Finlay and Dr. Zwicker. |
| | | Infographic on Early Mental Health Care Pathways |
| | | | | Catalyzing Evidence into Collective Action seminar with Dr. James Reynolds
The Department of Community Health Sciences and the O’Brien Institute for Public Health will present a seminar by KBHN Strategic Partnership Advisor Dr. James Reynolds on February 27, 2025, from 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm MT. Dr. Reynolds will explore the history and evolution of KBHN. His presentation will feature two case studies, illustrating how KBHN mobilizes knowledge into action and highlighting key policy implications. |
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| | | Empowering complex families keynote with Dr. Maude Champagne
KBHN-funded researcher Dr. Maude Champagne will be the Breakfast Keynote speaker on April 17 at the upcoming EKO Spring Symposium 2025 in Toronto, Ontario. Drawing from her research, clinical practice, and personal journey, Dr. Champagne emphasizes the need for trauma-informed care, caregiver well-being, and supportive communities in raising children with neurodevelopmental disabilities. According to her, addressing the intersection of trauma in marginalized communities, particularly families affected by Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, is essential to fostering inclusive, trauma-responsive support systems. Learn more about the program here. |
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| | IEMHP Symposium: Advancing Infant and Early Mental Health - Ottawa 2025
Date: March 6th 2025 Time: 9:30 am - 3:30 pm EST Location: The Nepean Sportsplex (1701 Woodroffe Ave, Nepean, ON K2G 1W2)
About: Dr. Chaya Kulkarni (BAA, M. Ed, Ed.D), Director of Infant and Early Mental Health Promotion will lead a presentation on the Science of Infant and Early Mental Health and Best Practices. Dr. Kulkarni will then moderate a panel discussion with local partners to showcase how local agencies, particularly child and youth mental health agencies and service providers, are embedding the science of infant and early mental health into their work. Participants will be put into multi-sector small groups to identify ways to strengthen their infant and mental health services as individual agencies and community-based partners. |
| | | Job opportunity: Neurodiversity & Work-Integrated Learning Specialist
The Taylor Institute for Teaching and Learning is seeking a Full-time Limited Term Neurodiversity & Work-Integrated Learning Specialist - Academic Program Support for approximately 16 months. Reporting to the Associate Director, Work-Integrated Learning & Neurodiversity Initiative, the Specialist supports the learning and advancement of neurodivergent students at the University of Calgary through work-integrated learning (WIL) opportunities starting the investigation and identification of opportunities through the completion of WIL experience. |
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| | | Kids Brain Health Network, situated at Simon Fraser University (SFU) Burnaby, respectfully acknowledges the unceded traditional territories of the Coast Salish peoples, including the səl̓ilw̓ətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh), kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (Kwikwetlem), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish) and xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) Nations.
Le Réseau pour la santé du cerveau des enfants, situé au sein de l’Université Simon Fraser (SFU) de Burnaby, reconnaît respectueusement les territoires traditionnels non cédés des peuples Salish de la Côte, notamment les nations səl̓ilw̓ ətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh), kʷikʷəƛ̓ əm (Kwikwetlem), Sḵwx̱ wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish) et xʷməθkʷəy̓ əm (Musqueam). |
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