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From time to time, the Waterloo Region Family Network (WRFN) is asked to distribute information on behalf of third parties. WRFN provides general information to self-advocates and families of children with special needs. The information provided on this website is not a recommendation, referral or endorsement of any resource, therapeutic method, or service provider. WRFN is not responsible for any information or services provided by third parties. You are urged to use independent judgment when considering any resource.

 


 

Health Care Access Research and Developmental Disabilities Newsletter

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Autism and Mental Health Series
Webinar Presentation

Autistic People and the COVID-19 Pandemic: What Have We Learned So Far?

Thursday, April 27, 2023, 12:00-1:00 PM EDT
Dr. Liz Pellicano, Professor of Autism Research at University College London joins us for the latest in a series of monthly interactive workshops where we discuss different topics that are important to Autistic adults. The webinars are designed and hosted by Autistic adults; all are welcome. View our flyer. 

For a full list of upcoming events, visit the Autism & Mental Health Webpage.

Click here to register

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Webinar Presentation

"All teach – all learn”: Lessons learned about mental health and developmental disabilities during the pandemic

Tuesday, March 28th  2:00-3:00 PM EDT
Presented by the Disability Health Equity Research Network, with guest speaker, Dr. Yona Lunsky, Director of the Azrieli Adult Neurodevelopmental Centre and the Health Care Access Research and Developmental Disabilities Program (H-CARDD) at the Center for Addiction and Mental Health.

Click here to register

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Research Study Recruitment
Autistic Adults and the Experience of Psychedelics

Are you Autistic and over 18 years old? We want to hear about your experiences with psychedelics.
This research study wants to learn about the perception, opinions, and knowledge of autistic adults about psychedelics, and whether they have used them in the past.

Participation involves filling out a 20-30 minute online survey. Click here to go to the survey.

For more information, email or call us:

Hsiang-Yuan.Lin@camh.ca 
+1 416-535-8501 ext. 32817

Click here to go to survey

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Virtual Workshop
Direct Support Professionals in Developmental Services

New Workshop starts April 4th! 
Are you a Direct Support Professional (DSP) in developmental services? Join our free virtual workshop, offered over three 2-hour sessions, to learn about Acceptance and Commitment Training (ACT) strategies. This workshop aims to support the well-being of DSPs and is part of a research study to help us to learn more about how to best support the well-being of staff in the sector.

Dates and Times:1. Mar 28 from 6:30-7:00 PM (Orientation) 2. Apr 4 from 6:30-8:30 PM 3. Apr 11 from 6:30-8:30 PM 4. May 9 from 6:30-8:30 PM

Interested? Please complete the expression of interest form by clicking here. 

Contact us for more information at PACT@camh.ca

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Virtual Mindfulness Group
Leaders and Management Professionals in Developmental Services

 

Starts March 28th! 

Are you a leader or management professional in developmental services? Join our free 6-week Canada-wide virtual mindfulness program, led by Sue Hutton, a mindfulness teacher with 40 years of experience. This program is supported by the Canadian Centre for Caregiving Excellence.

 


Every Tuesday, Mar 28th to May 2nd, 2023, 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm EDT
This program is also part of the Cultivating Community Wellness Initiative. View our flyer.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Volunteer Opportunity
Caregiver Engagement Network


Join the Azrieli Caregiver Engagement Network! Open to all caregivers (siblings, parents, grandparents) of loved ones 18 years and older with a developmental disability. 

Next meeting: Thursday, March 23rd, 12:00-1:00 PM EDT
Click here for more information. 

 

Questions? Email Azrieli.Caregivers@camh.ca.

Click here to register

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New Research
Survey on Siblings of Adults with Disabilities

 

Are you a Canadian Developmental Services Organization?
Please take 10 minutes to complete a survey on how your organization includes the siblings of people with developmental disabilities in the programs and services offered. The survey is part of a research study by Siblings Canada and the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health.   
  
Share this flyer with the person at your agency who has the most contact with the families of people with disabilities (primarily siblings) or is most familiar with the support offered to families.

Click here to go to survey

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Trish Coupal at 9:45 AM
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Promoting Healthy Families Study

With the past few years bringing unprecedented hardship to all families, especially those with young and school-aged children, there has never been a greater need to provide support. The Offord Centre for Child Studies at McMaster University has partnered with four mental health agencies across Ontario to launch a parenting and family support study called Promoting Healthy Families. The overall goal is to take a closer look at two parenting programs (Triple P and Circle of Security) and to understand if, and how, families can benefit from these programs.

 

Both the Positive Parenting Program (Triple P) and Circle of Security Parenting Program (COSP) offer a structured way for parents and caregivers to develop practical skills to help decrease challenging behaviours and emotions in young children and help family relationships. By taking part in this study, parents and caregivers may find that they feel more positive about themselves and their caregiving skills, while providing valuable information on how we help other families in the future.

 

Our research team is committed to ensuring our programs are accessible to all families, with additional care to reach families who may face traditional barriers to services such as limited access to technology and wi-fi services. To ensure equal opportunity, our study will provide:

  • Immediate, direct, and free-of-charge access to one of our parenting programs, led by highly qualified, trained service providers
  • Access to iPad devices and internet for study visits, free of charge (upon request)
  • Completely virtual service, in consideration of Covid-19 guidelines
  • Compensation in gift cards upon completion of study visits
  • Flexible scheduling of study visits to accommodate busy families

Our study is actively looking for families with children aged 2-6 years to enroll in this study. 

 

For more information, click here.

Leah Bowman at 4:47 PM
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Evaluation of Virtual Care Service offered to children across Ontario

Leah Bowman at 12:36 PM
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Participants Needed for Study Investigating Time Poverty

York University Masters Student is looking for Adult Caribbean Immigrant women in Ontario to participate in a study on their time use. Do you have the chronic feeling of having too many things to do and not enough time? (Time Poverty) 

 

Who Do We Need?

  • Participants who are 18-65 years old
  • Must be caregivers (paid or unpaid)
  • Must be immigrant women from the English-speaking Caribbean 

Contact for more information:

taylersi@yorku.ca

 *DATES AND TIMES FLEXIBLE FOR INTERVIEWS

 *$25 GIFT CARDS WILL BE PROVIDED FOR PARTICIPATION

Leah Bowman at 12:22 PM
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KidsAbility Playground Survey

KidsAbility in Waterloo is creating a brand new playground. Give your input to it's creation by filling out this survey and sending it back to Jayne Matzeg at JMatzeg@KidsAbility.ca

Leah Bowman at 11:59 AM
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