Dr. Renato Natale
Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada

[Presentation in PDF]

Dr. Renato Natale discussed “A Birthing Strategy for Canada” as a multi-faceted way to address obstetrical care shortages, to implement collaborative care models for pre- and post-natal care, and to look at ways of providing optimal care in urban, remote, rural, and aboriginal communities. The presentation included information about this national effort and the implications for service providers.

 

Louise Choquette
Best Start Resource Centre

Saleha Bismilla
Toronto Public Health

[Presentation in PDF]

The changing demographics of Ontario have an impact for service providers such as nurses, physicians, midwives, and community workers who work in reproductive health. Women from diverse cultural backgrounds may have different needs and expectations when accessing health services. Service providers should be sensitive to these needs and can help women and their partners to prepare for having a baby in Ontario. The Best Start Resource Centre has recently created a manual on this topic and presented the findings. Real-life scenarios were described and the possible solutions discussed.

Tammy MacKenzie
Jean Tweed Centre

[Presentation in PDF]

This presentation provided participants with best practice information and effective strategies in caring for women who are using substances during pregnancy. Several key principles that can be integrated into clinical approaches were discussed along with the therapeutic relationship. The effects of substance use on both the mother and child were also discussed within the context of engaging women into service.

Dr. Tracy Vaillancourt
University of Ottawa, McMaster University, and Offord Centre for Child Studies

In this session Dr. Vaillancourt talked about the origins of aggression and the factors associated with aggressive behaviour in young children. She also provided information about what is 'normal' aggression and what is 'abnormal' aggression and offered strategies for service providers regarding how to address aggression in preschoolers.

Rachel Epstein
Sherbourne Health Centre

[Presentation in PDF]

This presentation explored the overarching question: What does it mean to be a LGBTQ or queer positive professional? The presentation addressed some of the challenges facing LGBTQ parents and their children in light of the current social, cultural, and political context, and offered some practical suggestions for making services more welcoming to LGBTQ families. The presenter encouraged participants to ask questions and to view the session as an opportunity for reflection, learning, and dialogue.

Dr. Nick Kates
McMaster University, Hamilton Family Health Team, and the Quality Improvement and Innovation Partnership

This concurrent session will provide an overview of the role of family health teams (FHTs), opportunities for FHTs to develop programs promoting the wellbeing of children, and connections that can be established between FHTs and other programs and services for children in the community. Presenters from FHTs will discuss the lessons they have learned and advice they would provide to assist community service providers and family health teams in working together to support families and children.

Jess Rogers and Wanita Livingstone
Centre for Effective Practice and Haliburton Highland FHT
[Presentation in PDF]

Jason Bandey and Heather Kane
Stratford FHT
[Presentation in PDF]

Mel Krass
Niagara Falls FHT
[Presentation 1 in PDF]
[Presentation 2 in PDF]

Tracy Hussey and Peggy Carter-Arrowsmith
Hamilton FHT
[Presentation in PDF]

This concurrent session provided an overview of the role of family health teams (FHTs), opportunities for FHTs to develop programs promoting the wellbeing of children, and connections that can be established between FHTs and other programs and services for children in the community. Presenters from FHTs  discussed the lessons they have learned and advice they would provide to assist community service providers and family health teams in working together to support families and children.

Dr. Donna Lero
Centre for Families, Work and Well-being at the University of Guelph

[Presentation in PDF]

This concurrent session provided new research information and perspectives on work-life balance, particularly focusing on challenges for parents and the impacts on children. An overview of some effective strategies for achieving work-life integration was provided at the personal, organizational, and societal levels. The session included a discussion of how service providers can support families and address some of their own needs.

Nicole Kenton
Public Health Agency of Canada

Julie Voorneveld
Public Health Agency of Canada

[Presentation in PDF]

The findings from a decade of evaluation of the Canada Prenatal Nutrition (CPNP) program were presented and reflected upon. Evaluation findings on program reach, impact, best practice, and cost-effectiveness were discussed. The presenters also discussed the challenges and complexities encountered when evaluating this national multi-site, community-based program.
This presentation raised the following questions:

-What do program planners and policy makers want to know?
- What are some of the challenges to answering?
- Despite the challenges, what have we learned after over 12 years of performance measurement and   evaluation?
- What are the implications for programming?