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Dear Kids Brain Health Champions,
In this month’s edition, we’re excited to share stories and important updates:
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Network News and Highlights
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First-of-its-kind impact investing in Canada fuels neurodevelopmental innovation for kids
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Kids Brain Health Innovation Fund (KBH-IF), Canada’s first investment and venture philanthropy initiative in pediatric neurodevelopmental disability, is dedicated to scaling and advancing proven, evidence-based solutions for children and their families.
As the latest growth strategy to be added to the Kids Brain Health Network (KBHN), KBH-IF applies the tools of venture capital—rigorous vetting, business modelling, and scalability—to achieve the goal of expanding access to supports for every child and family in Canada who needs them.
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KBHN highlights innovation at Inventures 2025
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KBHN took center stage at Inventures 2025, a global innovation event uniting leaders in technology, health, and investment.
KBHN Board Member Sarah Jane Lee served as a judge for the Brain Health Challenge pitch competition, co-sponsored by KBHN, Ontario Brain Institute, Alberta Neuroscience, and Alberta Innovates. The event featured bold startups presenting scalable solutions for cognitive decline and brain health.
KBHN CEO Geoff Pradella participated as a mentee in the Health Innovators Rendezvous: Micro-Mentorship Activity, connecting with experts to explore pathways for scaling health innovation.
During the event, Geoff also announced the launch of the Kids Brain Health Innovation Fund (KBH-IF), Canada’s first venture philanthropy fund focused on pediatric neurodevelopmental disabilities. The fund will accelerate evidence-based innovations and reinvest returns to expand access for children and families.
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KBHF launches the Brighter Futures Fund
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Kids Brain Health Foundation (KBHF) has launched the Brighter Futures Fund, a new national initiative aimed at expanding access to proven supports for the nearly 1 in 11 children in Canada living with neurodevelopmental disabilities.
The fund will help scale programs—like cultural dance interventions co-developed with Indigenous leaders, gamified self-regulation tools, and support programs for Black caregivers—ensuring they reach more families across Canada, especially in underserved and diverse communities.
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KBHN Implementation Community
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Where Do Communities of Practice Fit in Learning Health Systems?
June 19, 2025 | 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM ET | Online
Join us for the next session in Kids Brain Health Network’s Implementation Community series, where we’ll explore the evolving role of communities of practice within learning health systems.
Our featured speaker, Dr. Stephanie Brooks, will walk us through the concepts and real-world applications, offering actionable insights to help attendees build stronger, more effective collaborative communities. Whether you’re a researcher, practitioner, policymaker, or community leader, this session will offer valuable guidance on strengthening implementation efforts and advancing health equity through learning health systems.
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A Perfect Pairing: Engagement Science and Implementation Science
The recording of the April 2025 Implementation Community session—“A Perfect Pairing: Engagement Science and Implementation Science”—is now available on the KBHN website. This inspiring panel featured Dr. Andrea Cross, Ms. Sara Pot, Dr. Sarah Munce, and Ms. Rachel Martens, who explored how engagement and implementation science can work together to enhance child health initiatives. The discussion offered valuable strategies from real-world projects, along with ideas for deepening engagement in future implementation efforts.
Watch the recording here.
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KBHN celebrates 2024–2025 Outstanding Award Winners
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Kids Brain Health Network (KBHN) is proud to announce the recipients of the 2024–2025 Annual Outstanding Awards, honouring individuals across its community for their exemplary contributions to neurodevelopmental disability research, mentorship, and inclusive family engagement. This year’s awardees reflect the heart of KBHN’s mission: advancing research, amplifying lived experience, and transforming outcomes for children and families.
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Reforms urgently needed for Manitoba’s disability support program for children
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In the op-ed, “Reforms urgently needed for Manitoba’s disability support program for children,” Brittany Finlay and KBHN Chief Scientist Dr. Jennifer Zwicker spotlight urgent gaps in Manitoba’s Children’s disABILITY Services (CDS) program. Drawing from their national report, the authors amplify the voices of families navigating a broken system—marked by long waitlists, lost paperwork, and inconsistent support.
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MEDIA: Rights based policy key to breaking barriers for persons with disabilities
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The School of Public Policy at the University of Calgary featured a series of op-eds co-authored by KBHN Chief Scientist Dr. Jennifer Zwicker, highlighting critical policy gaps in disability services across Canada. The articles are informed by a recent provincial and territorial disability policy report funded by Kids Brain Health Network. The report provides a comprehensive snapshot of current disability policy and establishes a baseline for tracking and understanding future progress.
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Dr. Maude Champagne releases new book on understanding Aggression Toward Family/Caregivers in Childhood and Adolescence (AFCCA)
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Kids Brain Health Network is proud to celebrate the release of a new resource: Decoding Aggression, Complex Behaviours and Brain-Based Disabilities: Practical Strategies for Addressing Aggression within the Family System, by Dr. Maude Champagne.
Funded by KBHN, this essential clinical manual equips professionals with evidence-based strategies for understanding and responding to AFCCA. The book brings together neuroscience, trauma-informed care, and real-world experience to offer practical tools that make a difference.
Congratulations to Dr. Champagne and her team of expert contributors on this important contribution to the field of neurodevelopmental disabilities!
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Upcoming ADHD event supported by KBHN
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Kids Brain Health Network (KBHN) is partnering with CADDRA for the 12th Annual ADHD Research Day, taking place in Vancouver, BC, on Friday, October 17, 2025. As part of our commitment to advancing neurodevelopmental science, KBHN is sponsoring students and trainees to present their work on ADHD research and connect with leading experts in the field. This in-person event will feature keynote presentations, a panel discussion, poster sessions, and research highlights from both senior and emerging investigators.
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KBHN joins AccessFest as Community Partner
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KBHN is proud to be a community partner for AccessFest, a festival celebrating accessibility and inclusion organized by AccessNow in honour of its 10th anniversary.
Taking place May 31 at David Pecaut Square in Toronto, AccessFest is a free, barrier-free event featuring live music, comedy, panel discussions, and more, all hosted by renowned disability advocate Spencer West. With support from the City of Toronto, the festival showcases a decade of progress in accessibility and invites everyone to be part of the celebration.
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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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