8:30 am – 8:45 am  Welcome

8:45 am – 9:45 am       

Annie Wilson
Annie is a respected elder from Emo, Ontario who will talk about traditional prenatal teachings.

9:45 am – 10:15 am – Break

10:15 am – 12:00 pm – Concurrent Sessions A (1-3)

Judy Kay   

People living with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) experience significant challenges with day-to-day life and become overwhelmed by situations in the everyday world.  This session will provide leading-edge information about the current issues and experiences related to FASD in people’s lives.  The presenter will share her extensive experience in designing innovative and practical approaches and interventions that fit the unique needs of children, youth and parents who have FASD.  This session will also explore how to mobilize supports through community partnerships to improve the lives of individuals living with FASD and their families.

Dr. Jeff Daiter, BPHE,MD,CCFP,FCFP, D,ABSM, C,ASAM, FASAM, C,CSAM MRO

Questions continue to surface regarding the safety of prescribing methadone during pregnancy as well as that of breastfeeding while on methadone.  The following presentation outlines the current research in this area and in doing so, seeks to answer any concerns in respect to the use of methadone in pregnancy and while breastfeeding.

Lynda Banning & Lyne Soramaki 

Through the use of discussion, video and interactive activity participants will gain an understanding of environmental issues affecting Ontario First Nation children living on and off Reserve.  It is important to understand how life circumstances and cultural practices of First Nation people may put them at increased risk for exposure to environmental hazards.  Areas of significant concern identified in the First Nation Children’s Environmental Health Manual will be discussed.  Methods to address these environmental health concerns in a culturally sensitive and strength based manner will be incorporated throughout the session.

12:00 pm – 1:00 pm – Lunch

1:00 pm – 2:00 pm

Nicole Kenton and Marilyn Junnila

This session will use evaluation findings to illustrate how the Community Action Program for Children (CAPC) and the Canada Prenatal Nutrition Program (CPNP) have contributed to the health of children, families and communities in Canada.  National and provincial evaluation findings on program reach, impact and cost effectiveness will be discussed and implications for programming will be considered.  Specific attention will be placed on the evaluation findings from boh the Aboriginal off-reserve and Non-Aboriginal CAPC and CPNP projects funded in Northern Ontario.

2:00 pm – 2:15 pm – Break

2:15 pm – 4:00 pm – Concurrent Sessions B (1-3)

Karen O’Gorman

This session explores Best Practice information and effective strategies in engaging women who are using alcohol and, or other drugs during pregnancy.  Participants will have an opportunity to explore how they can influence the process in a positive way.  Utilizing both the stages of change theory and a gender perspective we will explore and practice a variety of strategies for engaging women and providing effective support.  This is a hands-on session, so come prepared to participate.

Kim McGibbon, MScCH, RD

This interactive workshop will explore the impact of food insecurity on pregnant women and their young families.  We will discuss strategies that families presently use and what we as service providers can assist them with to help ensure healthier foods are available to them.  It will wrap up with a look at the programs and services offered in our region that we can refer families to, or how to start them ourselves.  Programs such as gleaning, good food boxes and community gardens can have impacts beyond improving food security to include social inclusion and increased food skills.  Explore these ideas and bring your own to share with others during this workshop session.