Day 1: Thursday Oct 24, 2024
Breakout A (12:45pm-1:45pm EST)
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1. Supporting Self-Advocacy
Panelists: Moh Kabra (Self-Advocate, Humber College); Charles Ofori-Attah (Self-Advocate, Canadian Blood Services); Sarah Telford (Self-Advocate, Disability); Moderator: Megan Primeau (Academic Program Director, University of Toronto)
Join our expert panelists who will share their personal stories of how they became self-advocates, plus their experiences in working to improve health care access for others. We will also discuss ideas and recommendations about how what others can do to aid people in their self-advocacy journeys.
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2. Pathways to Supporting Social Determinants of Health Through Creative Community Partnership
Presented by: Jessica Reid (Social Worker, Team Lead Family Navigation Hub; Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital); Ishwarya Shankar (Family Support Specialist; Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital)
Additional authors: Asam Ahmad (Food Justice Educator; Foodshare Toronto)
Identifying and addressing clients and families most pressing social determinant of health needs is an integral part of quality healthcare. Health care leaders and front-line clinicians have long recognized the connection between unmet essential resource needs such as food, housing and transportation, and health outcomes. COVID-19 has further compounded the impacts of existing social conditions on the health and wellbeing of families and communities. This presentation will highlight Holland Bloorview’s collaborative navigation service, the Family Navigation Hub, which aims to address family-identified needs related to social determinants of health by utilizing equity-informed approaches, empowering student leadership, and creative collaborative partnerships.
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3. Post COVID-19 Pandemic and Black Youth Mental Health: The Way Forward
Presented by: Fiona Edwards-Akunesiobike (Assistant Professor; MacEwan University); Donna Richards (Ph.D Candidate, Lecturer/Associate Director, Trent University); Hellen Gateri (Assistant Professor, MacEwan University)
Research demonstrates that the COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionately impacted the Black communities in Canada and beyond. Specifically, research findings indicate that in addition to systemic racism, the pandemic exacerbated mental distress among Black youth. This presentation will focus on the mental health and well-being of Black youth, particularly those from the Afro-Caribbean culture during the pandemic. Through the lens of anti-Black racism, there will be a sharp focus on post-pandemic solutions and the role of technology to address the significant challenges Black youth continue to grapple with within the mental health and education systems. -
4. Navigating Refugee Health with the National Newcomer Navigation Network and Canada’s Refugee Healthcare System Atlas
Presented by: Christine Kouri (Director; National Newcomer Navigation Network); Annalee Coakley (Co-director; Refugee Health YYC); Gabriel Fabreau (Co-director; Refugee Health YYC)
In 2023 Canada processed almost 60,000 applications from asylum seekers, nearly half of whom are children and youth. This number is projected to increase. Refugees have increased health and social service needs but often struggle to navigate Canada’s complex systems. This workshop presents two tools to assist professionals and refugees navigate these systems. Canada’s Refugee Health System Atlas maps healthcare and settlement services nationally, summarizes them utilizing the WHO’s Health Systems framework. It is being adapted for other countries with the WHO. The National Newcomer Navigation Network (N4) platform provides tools, resources and collaboration opportunities for newcomer-serving professionals across sectors.
Breakout B (2:15pm-3:15pm ET)
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1. Caring for the Caregiver: Improving the Health Equity of Young Caregivers Through Identification
Presented by: Alicia Pinelli (Clinical Lead; Young Caregivers Association)
Within Canada, there are an estimated 1.25 million young caregivers, those under the age of 25 years, who provide various types of unpaid support to a loved one within their home including medical, physical, and emotional support. However, despite young caregivers connecting with health and social service sectors, they continue to go unseen and underserved. When unidentified, young caregivers are at a heightened risk of a variety of emotional and physical impacts on their health and well-being. Utilizing leading evidence to increase and standardize awareness and identification, together, we can increase the overall health equity of this vulnerable population. -
2. Language Matters: Transforming Healthcare for Neurodiverse Individuals
Presented by: Mackenzie Landerholm (Neurodiverse Person, Research Assistant, Inclusion Supervisor; University of British Columbia, Columbia Outdoor School’s Blue Lake Camp); Sarah McGowan (Speech Language Pathologist; BC Autism Assessment Network); Angie Ip (Developmental Pediatrician, Family Member; BC Autism Assessment Network, University of British Columbia); Rachel Ford (Parent, Clinical Social Worker)
This workshop explores the impact of language in healthcare settings around neurodivergence, neurodiversity, and disability. Following a brief lecture, participants will put their new learning to the test through reflections on lived experiences shared by neurodivergent individuals and their families, and interactive learning activities. Attendees will leave with a toolkit of practical ideas and strategies to implement into their clinical practice. Participants will leave with tools to help them shift their approaches to care and communication to create a more inclusive environment for their teams and the patients, clients, and families they work with. -
3. “Communities rather than solutions”: A Model for Building Safer Spaces for Equity-Seeking Youth
Presented by: Matt Drabenstott (Qualitative Researcher and Suicide Preventionist; Centre of Excellence for Youth Engagement); Monica Chander (Lead Network Coordinator; The Students Commission of Canada)
Depression, loneliness, and hopelessness were common descriptions from participants in a two-year national wellbeing initiative, SIFT, aimed at building capacity toward self-care and positive social identities for Indigenous, 2SLGBTQIA+, among other equity-seeking youth. Youth and adults closest to them co-created weekly spaces rooted in shared values, addressing the daily systemic health pressures (e.g., racism, community violence) facing participants. What began as a weekly intervention, evolved into a rare community that supported youth at crises and wellbeing crossroads beyond the space. This workshop explores the pillars behind creating safer spaces, focusing on creating upstream initiatives that spark communities rather than solutions. -
4. Building a Learning Health Care Community (LHCC) Model for Women’s and Children’s Health in Peel: Insights from a Community Based-Research Project
Presented by: Arvind Krishendeholl (Research Assistant; Family and Child Health Initiative, Institute for Better Health, Trillium Health Partners); Sara Abdullah (Research Associate; Family and Child Health Initiative, Institute for Better Health, Trillium Health Partners); Ian Zenlea (Clinician Scientist and Co-Lead; Family and Child Health Initiative, Institute for Better Health, Trillium Health Partners); Dianne Fierheller (Assistant Scientist and Co-Lead; Family and Child Health Initiative, Institute for Better Health, Trillium Health Partners); Cilia Mejia-Lancheros (Research Lead; Family and Child Health Initiative, Institute for Better Health, Trillium Health Partners)
Community leaders in Peel have identified data collection and integrated knowledge translation between health and community organizations as a priority to improve health outcomes for children, youth and families from equity-deserving communities. Within the area of child and maternal health however, there remains a need to understand the existing data ecosystem, to begin building an integrated health system that can influence healthcare decision-making and improve health outcomes. In this workshop, we will discuss our learnings from working alongside community members and partners to begin developing a Learning Health System between THP’s Women and Children’s Hospital in Peel and the community.
Day 2: Friday Oct 25, 2024
Breakout C (12:45pm-1:45pm EST)
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1. From Silos to Synergy: Engaging Youth with Lived and Living Expertise and Mental Health Care Providers to Co-Create EDI Curricula
Presented by: Claire Perry (Youth Engagement Specialist; McCain Centre for Child, Youth & Family Mental Health, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH)); Nikhita Singhal (Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Resident; University of Toronto); Albina Veltman (Associate Chair Equity Diversity Inclusion & Indigenous Reconciliation, McMaster University)
Additional authors: Mahalia Dixon (Youth Engagement Coordinator; McCain Centre for Child, Youth & Family Mental Health, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH)); Philippe Hwang (Psychiatry Resident; University of Ottawa); Marijana Jovanovic (Staff Psychiatrist; Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO); University of Ottawa); Chetana Kulkarni (Staff Psychiatrist, The Hospital for Sick Children; University of Toronto); Raj Rasasingham (Staff Psychiatrist, Humber River Regional Hospital; University of Toronto)
Although equity-focused initiatives are increasingly being prioritized in health professions education, the question remains of how to most effectively build curricula with sustainable impact that move beyond tokeism into meaningful engagement of those with lived expertise. This interactive workshop aims to address this gap by discussing practical strategies to engage youth with lived expertise in building equity-focused curricula for healthcare providers. An innovative project involving the co-design of e-modules for those working in child and youth mental health will be shared as a case study and launching point for discussion, including reflection on challenges/opportunities for improvement in youth engagement processes.
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2. Cultural Humility in Eating Disorder Care
Presented by: Ary Maharaj (Outreach & Education Coordinator, National Eating Disorders Information Centre), Hiba Farooq (Direct Client Support Worker, National Eating Disorders Information Centre)
Despite being affected by eating disorders at similar rates to their white peers, racialized individuals are less likely to seek help and often encounter multiple barriers to receiving support and treatment once they do. To address this gap, NEDIC endeavoured to co-develop a collection of tailored informational resources for racialized people by- and for-community. This session will apply learnings from this work with a focus on youth (12+), asking attendees to move from a stance of cultural competency to one of humility, broaden their conceptualization of health, and discuss examples of healthcare practices that aim to cultivate a curious, collaborative, and ultimately, more helpful patient-practitioner relationship. -
3. Making Indigenous Fathers Visible in Diabetes-Related Health Promotion Resources
Presented by: Amy L. Wright (Assistant Professor; Faculty of Nursing, University of Toronto); Jessica Pace (Knowledge Program Manager; Indigenous Diabetes Health Circle)
Indigenous people are disproportionately predisposed to diabetes because of inequities resulting from racist policies. Preventing and managing diabetes requires establishing healthy behaviours early in life and parents are essential in promoting the healthy development of their children. Fathers, however, are rarely included in health promotional activities. In collaboration with the Indigenous Diabetes Health Circle, interviews with Indigenous fathers and Elders were conducted to inform the creation of a video series to better engage fathers in diabetes-related programming that incorporates their perspectives. We will present our community-engaged approach, share the videos, and discuss culturally relevant health promotional resources with attendees. -
4. Adapting Knowledge Translation Interventions for Health Equity Considerations
Presented by: Sarah A. Elliott (Assistant Director; Co Director; Alberta Research Centre for Health Evidence; Cochrane Child Health); Lisa Hartling (Professor; Department of Pediatrics, University of Alberta)
Additional authors: Shannon Scott (Professor; Faculty of Nursing, University of Alberta); Lisa Knisley (Assistant Professor; University of Manitoba); Salima Meherali (Assistant Professor; Faculty of Nursing, University of Alberta)
We have established a model for co-developing knowledge translation resources (e.g., videos, interactive infographics) to support parents in managing their child’s health, and when to seek medical care. Over the past eight years we have worked with culturally diverse communities to learn how to adapt our resources to meet their unique needs. Modifications to interventions that focus on increasing fit with end-users can lead to improved engagement, acceptability, uptake of information and ultimately health outcomes, particularly when working with marginalized groups. During this workshop we will discuss key considerations for adaptation, as well as barriers and facilitators to stakeholder engagement.
Breakout D (2:15pm-3:15pm ET)
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1. Over the Influence: Youth Champions Tackling the Opioid Crisis
Presented by: Lauren Wengle (Network Coordinator, Program Delivery and Sharing the Stories; Students Commission of Canada); Alexa Sagutcheway (Youth Influencer, Over the Influence)
The opioid crisis impacts countless Canadians, with young people being significantly affected. Over the Influence (OTI) amplifies youth voices in combatting this crisis. It equips them with tools to make informed choices and promote harm reduction techniques to their peers and communities. This workshop will explore creating spaces where youth can share their experience(s) with the opioid crisis, feel empowered to seek evidence-based resources and access formal supports, and contribute to rewriting the narrative of opioid use within their circles and broader communities. The goal is to enable youth to make a meaningful difference in addressing the opioid crisis. -
2. The Impact of Disclosure: Seeing Sharing as a Form of Empowerment for Transitionally Aged Youth
Presented by: Jori Jones (PhD Candidate; University of Toronto)
The aim of this workshop is to discuss how disclosure outcomes amongst youth in health and mental health settings can vary depending on their intersectional identities and relationship to the state. In what ways does youth sharing their experiences with healthcare providers benefit them, and in what circumstances does it not? Does disclosure beneficially serve all youth equally? In a clinical setting, disclosure is considered critical in building client–practitioner relationships and enabling therapeutic progress. However, pivotal research on post-disclosure outcomes among people living with a concealable stigmatized identity challenges this assumption of whether disclosure always yields benefit rather than harm. -
3. Supporting the Intersectional Needs of Newcomer Children with Disabilities and their Families
Presented by: Nida Khan (MPPA, Director of Research and Education; SMILE Canada Support Services)
This workshop explores the intersectional experiences and oppressions faced by disabled newcomer children and their families such as xenophobia, Islamophobia, and ableism within the context of healthcare. It challenges existing approaches in addressing the diverse needs of this priority population. Impacted by armed conflict, displacement, and structural violence, many newcomer families are overlooked in policy-making and service delivery approaches. Current pediatric disability services lacking culturally safe, responsive, and relevant practices limit access to family-centered support and create difficulties in navigating appropriate resources for underserved families. -
4. Closing the Gap: Supporting Equitable Care to Indigenous and Rural Children in British Columbia
Presented by: Melissa Paquette (Pediatrician, CHARLiE physician and Simulation Lead, Rural Coordination Centre of British Columbia); Kirsten Miller (Pediatrician, CHARLiE physician and SPRUCe Co-Lead, Rural Coordination Centre of British Columbia)
Rural and remote Canadians face healthcare disparities compared to urban Canadians. These problems are most pronounced in Indigenous communities. This workshop introduces two strategies aimed to improve equitable access to culturally-safe, locally-delivered, family-centred care pediatric health care in remote and rural BC communities.
CHARLiE (Child Health Advice in Real-time Electronically) provides real-time virtual pediatric healthcare, virtual simulation training and education to support rural healthcare providers and patients.
SPRUCe (Sustaining Pediatrics in Rural and Underserved Communities) supports in-person pediatric service to rural, remote BC communities and cultivates connections between pediatric residents and rural pediatricians to secure future pediatric healthcare equity.