DAY 1 - March 13

REGISTRATION
9:30 AM - 9:45 AM

Sign-ins, introduction of keynote speaker by co-chairs.

OPENING KEYNOTE + Q&A
9:45 AM - 10:30 AM

The opening keynote speaker will start off our day! Check out the 2021 Speakers page to find out more about the keynote speaker!

WORKSHOPS
​10:30 AM - 11:15 AM

Dr. Sofia Strȯmmer and Dr. Polly Hardy-Johnson
Workshop Title: Developing effective health behaviour change interventions for COVID-19 that engage young people
​Dr. Hasina Samji
Workshop Title: Impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on BC high school students: preliminary findings from the Youth Development Instrument
Co-creation of health research using creative methods is useful in engaging those most in need of health interventions, but social research approaches can feel foreign to conventional science-based researchers. This workshop equips researchers with creative methods that can enhance their research impact and their relationship with their target population.
In this interactive workshop we will share preliminary findings from the Youth Development Instrument (YDI), an interdisciplinary study measuring predictors of positive youth development in high school students in collaboration with the Human Early Learning Partnership (HELP-UBC), community, clinical and policy partners and youth themselves. Students surveyed in early March 2021 report on the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on their physical and mental well-being, quality of life, relationships, and worries, as well as positive impacts related to the pandemic. Workshop participants will be asked to act as decision makers and create policies to address findings.

LUNCH BREAK
11:15 AM - 11:45 AM

Attendees will have a chance to refresh and fuel before returning to the virtual platform.

WORKSHOPS
11:45 AM - 12:30 PM

Dr. Mackenzie Salt and Stephanie Cote
Workshop Title: The Canadian ASD Alliance (CASDA)
​In this presentation, a researcher and a policy analyst will cofacilitate a workshop on the Canadian Autism Spectrum Disorder Alliance (CASDA), an alliance of over 100 organizations that support Autistic Canadians and their families, with partners including McMaster University's Autism Research Team (MacART). The presentation includes summaries of current CASDA projects within its three pillars of research, policy, and advocacy. For each pillar, attendees will be invited to reflect on the implications of the projects as they related to COVID-19, Autistic people, and their families. Presented projects include: The Pandemic Canadian Autism Needs Assessment survey, the Autism Employment Scan, and vaccination priority advocacy for Autistic Canadians. Finally, opportunities to get involved at CASDA will be discussed.
Dr. Christine Schwartz
​Workshop Title: Children's Mental Health and COVID-19 - Supporting wellbeing during a pandemic
​This interactive workshop will identify how COVID-19 is impacting on children’s mental health, including who is disproportionately affected. Participants will learn about strategies that could mitigate the effects of the pandemic for all children as well as those who are especially vulnerable. During the discussion, participants will explore how individuals — from policy-makers to practitioners — can play a key role in supporting young people to thrive during the pandemic and beyond

POSTER PRESENTATIONS
12:30 PM - 1:15 PM

A chance to view abstracts displaying innovative research in the field of child health. More information can be found in the 2021 Poster Presenters tab!

CLOSING REMARKS
1:15 PM - 1:30 PM

We take the time to recognize our speakers, workshop and poster presenters, our sponsors and our volunteers. ​This will mark the end of Day 1!

Day 2 - March 14

REGISTRATION
9:30 AM - 9:45 AM

Sign-ins, introduction of oral presenters by co-chairs.

ORAL PRESENTATIONS
9:45 AM - 10:15 AM

Listen to a select few individuals speak about upcoming research that they are involved in. Check out the bottom of the 2021 Poster Presenters tab to find out more!

WORKSHOPS
​10:15 AM - 11:00 AM

Kelsey Beson
Workshop Title: Linking children's rights and the top 10 threats to childhood
This workshop will highlight the top 10 threats to childhood identified in Children First Canada’s Raising Canada 2020 report. While the majority of Canadians believe we are a top 10 country to raise a child, the reality is starkly different. The harsh truth is that Canada is far from being a world-leading country for kids to grow up. Canada ranks 30th out of 38 affluent nations for children's well-being according to UNICEF, and we drop to the bottom ranks on key measures such as child poverty and children's health and safety. Children First Canada’s Raising Canada 2020 report is the third in an annual series of reports that track the top 10 threats to childhood. This year, the report highlights the unprecedented impact of COVID-19 on children and their families.
Dr. Sofia Strȯmmer and Dr. Polly Hardy-Johnson
Workshop Title: Developing effective health behaviour change interventions for COVID-19 that engage young people
Co-creation of health research using creative methods is useful in engaging those most in need of health interventions, but social research approaches can feel foreign to conventional science-based researchers. This workshop equips researchers with creative methods that can enhance their research impact and their relationship with their target population.

LUNCH BREAK
​11:00 AM - 11:30 AM

Attendees will have a chance to refresh and fuel before returning to the virtual platform.

WORKSHOPS
​11:30 AM - 12:15 PM

Dr. Mohammad Zubairi
Workshop Title: Ideas, Interests and Institutions: Advocating for Children and Youth with Neurodevelopmental Disorders during and beyond COVID19
In this presentation, we will discuss the language we use in describing child and youth development and behavior, and how this affects how we understand the functioning of an individual with a neurodevelopmental disorder. We will discuss how COVID19 has impacted children and youth with neurodevelopmental disorders and will review what resources are available to support children, youth and their families. We will focus specifically on how healthcare professionals, including developmental pediatricians like myself, are advocating for children and youth with neurodevelopmental disorders during COVID19, and what this means for a post-COVID19 world.
Cathy Haan
Workshop Outline:
Faced with several challenges pre pandemic, how has the pandemic impacted families that suffer from food insecurity?  We’ll explore 4 common challenges faced by many families and students.  
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Secondary School students often suffer with hunger without being noticed.  We’ll consider Secondary school students specifically and hear from 3 educators (via video) who work directly with high school aged students suffering from food insecurity.    
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Participants will learn how Food4Kids Hamilton has navigated through pandemic conditions such as school closures, city lockdowns, remote learning, volunteer safety and more. 
Kelsey Beson
Workshop Title: Linking children's rights and the top 10 threats to childhood
This workshop will highlight the top 10 threats to childhood identified in Children First Canada’s Raising Canada 2020 report. While the majority of Canadians believe we are a top 10 country to raise a child, the reality is starkly different. The harsh truth is that Canada is far from being a world-leading country for kids to grow up. Canada ranks 30th out of 38 affluent nations for children's well-being according to UNICEF, and we drop to the bottom ranks on key measures such as child poverty and children's health and safety. Children First Canada’s Raising Canada 2020 report is the third in an annual series of reports that track the top 10 threats to childhood. This year, the report highlights the unprecedented impact of COVID-19 on children and their families.

PANEL
12:15 PM - 1:00 PM

A panel of speakers will end the conference! Check out the 2021 Speakers page for more information.

CLOSING REMARKS
1:00 PM - 1:15 PM

We take the time to recognize our speakers, workshop and poster presenters, our sponsors and our volunteers. This will mark the end of the sixth annual McMaster Child Health Conference!