CES Sessions
All sessions are offered at no cost.
Community Education Service acknowledges that the land on which we virtually gather is the traditional territories of the people of the Treaty 7 region in Southern Alberta. The City of Calgary is also home to Métis Nation of Alberta, Region 3.
Buried In Treasures: helping kids manage when their stuff becomes too much ***please register using the poster only***
6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
Presenter: Heather Ansari, Registered Provisional Psychologist, Family Counsellor, Carya
This presentation will review:
• Increased Awareness: Learn how clutter and excessive possessions can impact children's mental health, as well as how
our own beliefs about belongings and values influence children’s attachments to objects.
• Recognizing the Signs: Gain an understanding of the signs that a child is overwhelmed by their belongings.
• Promoting Healthy Habits: Acquire knowledge around how to foster long-term habits and skills in children that
encourage healthy relationships with ‘stuff’.
Rooted in Relationships: Building Resilient Communities Through Natural Supports ***please register using the poster only***
6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
Land Acknowledgement: Suzanne Crazy-Boy, Government of Alberta
Introductory Remarks: Dr. Rose Joudi, Carya
Presenters: Fabiha Chowdhury & Anna Finlayson, University of Alberta MPH Students
Panel: Eric Dizon (Action Dignity), Dulu Modi (Reach Edmonton), Dee Adekugbe (Ruth’s House)
Panel Moderator: Meena Sangha, Recovery Alberta
This webinar will review:
• An understanding of what natural supports are and the important role they play in many Ethnocultural communities.
• Hearing from a panel of natural supports practitioners what natural supports mean in their lives and how they take a
natural supports approach in their work.
• How people can step up and be a natural support to others and build their own natural supports network.
Substance Use Treatment Considerations for Youth with FASD ***please register using the poster only***
6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
Presenters:
Dr Elizabeth Carlson, Registered Psychologist, University of Alberta
Erika Makowecki, M.Ed., Doctoral Student, University of Alberta
Elizabeth & Erika will speak about their research and insights from the guide, Moving Towards FASD-Informed Care in Substance Use Treatment. Their presentation will explore emerging best practices for supporting individuals with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) in substance use treatment settings. They will highlight key recommendations and practical strategies for implementing FASD-informed care to promote healthy outcomes, with specific considerations for youth and caregivers.
Mental health for highly sensitive teens; unique struggles for these emotional feelers ***please register using the poster only***
11:00 AM - 12:30 PM
Presented by: Tracy Fields, BSW, MSW in partnership with Tracy Fields Counselling
Highly sensitive teens are often misunderstood by parents and teachers as they often have stronger emotional reactions. In this presentation, learn why this happens, and the necessary tools required to help these teens manage their emotions so they don't become derailed.
Empower Kids To Stay Safe And Feel Secure: Keeping Kids Safe Without Scaring Them ***please register using the poster only***
6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
Presenter: Julie Freedman Smith, BSc, BA, Owner JFS Parent Education
• Learn simple strategies for kids 3-10 years.
• Dealing with stranger-danger and not-so-stranger-danger.
• Sleepovers, babysitters, walking to school/park.
• How to choose the trusted adults.
Dyslexia Essentials ***please register using the poster only***
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Presented By:
Tanya Keto, Registered Psychologist
AVERY Family and School Psychology Services
This presentation is suited for both caregivers of children/youth and educators working with children/youth.
Occurring in an estimated 5-15% of the population, Dyslexia refers to individuals who have foundational and often extreme difficulties with reading, spelling, and writing. These difficulties span academic settings and grades and can impact reading comprehension, the development of vocabulary, and the ability to spell and communicate in writing. Educators and caregivers play a critical role in the trajectory and outcomes of students with Dyslexia, and there is so much we can do to help these kids and alter their trajectories.
In this session we will discuss:
• Red flags
• Diagnosis, statistics, and developmental trajectory of students with Dyslexia.
• Cognitive processes involved in reading.
• Evidence-based Tier 2 and 3 interventions.
Digital Dilemma: The Impact of Screens, Social Media, and Gaming on Youth ***please register using the poster only***
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
Presented by the Community Health Promotion Services Team, Recovery Alberta.
In today’s digital world, screens are everywhere—but what impact do they have on youth? This session will explore the effects of social media, video gaming, and screen time on key areas of life, including mental health, social connections, and overall well-being. We’ll discuss evidence-based insights on both the risks and benefits of digital engagement, as well as practical strategies for fostering a balanced approach. Join us for a meaningful conversation on how to support young people in developing healthy screen habits while strengthening real-world connections.
Helping Youth With Their Future ***please register using the poster only***
2:00 PM - 3:30 PM
Presented by: Landon Burns, B.A, Youth Facilitator, Closer to Home Community Services
We will be discussing how to help refine a youth's views on the future and help them achieve their dreams/goals. We will also be discussing the importance of communication between adults and youth, as well as supports that exist for parents and youth.
The Science of Newborn Sleep: Unlocking Gentle Sleep Foundations (0-4 Months) ***please register using the poster only***
6:30 PM - 7:30 PM
Presenter:
Mary MacLeod, MSc, Community Health, Cumming School of Medicine, Director of Research Family Sleep Institute, Founder of De Somno, Member of – International Pediatric Sleep Association, Behavioural Sleep Medicine Association, International Association of Child Sleep Consultants
This presentation will review:
• Understanding Newborn Sleep Patterns – Newborn Sleep Cycles, the role of active vs. quiet sleep, and why short sleep stretches are normal.
• Biological Sleep Foundations – Gentle ways to support healthy sleep habits, and establishment of baby’s circadian rhythm.
• Gentle Soothing and Sleep Strategies – Responsive techniques, white noise, and cues to encourage sleep.
• Common Sleep Challenges and Solutions – Managing day/night confusion, short sleep, colic, and practical tips to improve sleep for baby and you.
Stress Management for Children and Youth ***please register using the poster only***
2:00 PM - 3:30 PM
Presented by: Ruta Vilunaite, MSW, RSW, Youth Facilitator, Closer to Home Community Services
Participants will learn:
- Signs of stress and how to recognize them
- Support for kids and teens in stress management
- Stress sources and levels
- How stress affects our body and mental health
Stress, Stigma, and Safety: Building Supportive Communities for Youth ***please register using the poster only***
11:00 AM - 12:30 PM
Presented by: Agnes Chen, Registered Nurse, Founder and Executive Director, Starlings Community
In honour of Mental Health Awareness Week and its focus on community, this session is dedicated to empowering caregivers who journey alongside the 1 in 5 young people growing up with the stress and stigma of a parent’s substance use. Through a lens of lived experience, we’ll shed light on the hidden barriers to community youth often face – like shame, fear, and isolation – and inspire new ways to create safety, resilience, and connection.
Cherishing Parenthood: Understanding and Coping with Postpartum Emotions ***please register using the poster only***
10:30 AM - Noon
Presenters:
Sumeet Kalsi, Dip. in Early Childhood Development & Education, Parent Caregiver Support Services Coordinator, Strathmore/Chestermere Family Resources Network
Erika Tracey, Dip. Addictions, Early Childhood Development Resource Network Specialist, Trellis
The postpartum period is an intricate tapestry of emotions, woven with the threads of joy, exhaustion, love, and vulnerability. New mothers often find themselves on an emotional rollercoaster as they navigate the profound changes that come with bringing a new life into the world and having their relationships change. Amidst the euphoria of welcoming their bundle of joy, there can be moments of overwhelming fatigue, self-doubt, and a spectrum of emotions that may catch them by surprise. Hormonal fluctuations, coupled with the demands of caring for a newborn, create a unique emotional landscape. It's crucial for new mothers to recognize and embrace this range of feelings, seeking support when needed, and understanding that these emotions are a natural part of the transformative journey into motherhood.
Building knowledge and community for child and adolescent mental health research ***please register using the poster only***
Noon - 1:00 PM
Please come and Join:
Dr. Paul Arnold, MD, PhD, FRCPC
Dr. Susan Graham, PhD, RPsych
Dr. Signe Bray, PhD
Dr. Whitney Hindmarch, PhD
Dr. Chad Bousman, MPH, PhD
Dr. Kara Murias , MD, PhD, FRCPC
Stephanie Howe, MSc
Understanding mental health and how to best treat concerns starts with research. At the University of Calgary, Mental Health Research 4 Kids aims to improve knowledge and treatment of child and adolescent (0-18 years of age) mental health concerns. The program supports connecting researchers with young people and their families around mental health research. Our research studies are learning more about mental health and how the brain works, testing promising new therapies and treatment options, discovering links between mental health and genetics, and exploring access to Calgary mental health services. This 1-hour session will provide more information about the program, the importance of mental health research, some of our research studies, and how you can get involved.
For researchers
• Learn about the research infrastructure Mental Health Research 4 Kids offers and how we can support your work.
• Find out how you can get involved with Mental Health Research 4 Kids.
For youth and families
• Learn about the importance of mental health research to improve knowledge and treatment.
• Find out about some of the exciting child and adolescent mental health research studies happening with Mental Health
Research 4 Kids.
• Discover how to support and get involved with mental health research.
Navigating Technology with our Youth ***please register using the poster only***
6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
Presented by:
Andrea Halwas, BA, MFA, PhD, REACE, Registered Expressive Arts Therapy Consultant, Associate Therapist & Educational Coordinator at Juno House
In this 1.5 hour presentation, we will discuss the role of technology and today’s youth. The message of this presentation is not only based on technology, but also about a child’s healthy brain development and the necessary parenting/caregiver role in creating healthy, emotional, regulated, and integrated brains. This presentation will address the underpinning of a child’s emotional brain development and how to grow it, as well as how technology can dangerously hijack this.
We believe that talking does not grow neurons; experience grows neurons. This workshop is designed to give attendees the skills to become their child’s emotional coach. The workshop will provide participants with:
• An understanding of the basic neuroscience behind healthy brain development,
• The dangers of technology for healthy brain development,
• Technology use rules that will help your child
• When building healthy brains, how to identify emotions in your child/student, and
• How to become your child’s/student’s emotional coach in only five steps and in that, build a resilient child.
The presentation is facilitated by a therapist from Juno House who has years of both clinical and facilitating experience. Juno House was founded in 2008 as a Centre of Excellence for adolescent girls and young women who are experiencing anxiety-based mental health issues of self harm, obsessive compulsive disorders, depression and eating disorders.
How Does Puberty Affect the Brain? ***please register using the poster only***
6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
Presenter: Jordan Chad, PhD, Postdoctoral Associate, University of Calgary
In this talk, we will learn about:
• Changes in thoughts and feelings that occur at puberty.
• How these changes are triggered in the brain.
• Implications of these changes on children's public and private behavior.
Managing Anxiety in Children and Adolescents with Neurodevelopmental Disorders (NDDs) ***please register using the poster only***
6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
Presenters:
Thomas Qiao, MSc, Research Coordinator, Department of Psychiatry, University of Calgary
Noah Furlani, MSc, Research Coordinator, Department of Psychiatry, University of Calgary
Dr. Kara Murias, MD PhD FRCPC, Pediatric Neurologist, Alberta Children’s Hospital;
Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatrics and Clinical Neuroscience, University of Calgary
This presentation will:
• Identify the signs and symptoms of anxiety in children and adolescents with NDDs (e.g., AD/HD, ASD, Tics and
Tourette’s Disorders, Fragile X Syndrome).
• Examine the current evidence on pharmacological and psychosocial treatments for anxiety in individuals with NDDs.
• Present a new clinical trial study that examines the use of sertraline for treating anxiety disorders in children and
adolescents with NDDs.
Chatting With Parents About Youth (Ages 10-18) & Healthy Relationships ***please register using the poster only***
6:30 PM - 7:30 PM
Presenters:
Stephanie Loewen, BFA Addictions Counselling, Outreach Specialist, True North
Mayra Sanchez, CYC Dip. & ECE Cert., Trauma-Informed Child Development Specialist, True North
Amanda Vanderlaan, BA, Public Educator & Manager of Research & Development, True North
This presentation will:
• Give parents the awareness & tools to help youth navigate peer pressure & bullying
• Give parents the tools to identify the cycle of violence
A Key to Preparing for the Move from Pediatric to Adult Services: Start Early ***please register using the poster only***
Noon - 1:30 PM
Presented by: Deb Thul, BSW, RSW
Well on Your Way: Helping Youth Transition to Adult Care – Program Coordinator, AHS
An introductory education session on what to expect as youth transfer from pediatric to adult services. Professionals and families of youth ages 14 and up will gain an understanding of how to prepare for the transition to adulthood, as well as what community, government, medical and online resources are available.
Building Resiliency in Today's Youth ***please register using the poster only***
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
Presented by: Andrea Halwas, BA, MFA, PhD, REACE, Registered Expressive Arts Therapy Consultant, Associate Therapist & Educational Coordinator at Juno House
Brought to you by specialists in Girls' Mental Health
Before High School graduation, one-third of adolescent girls will experience depression, anxiety disorders, self-harm or an eating disorder. However, there is an incredible power in caregivers who can support our youth, both young women and men, before they seek therapy.
At Juno House®, we believe in the extraordinary healing power of parents, caregivers, coaches, and teachers. In our 1.5 hour workshop presentation, we will share steps and strategies from the Juno House Therapeutic Model® that will provide effective emotional coaching tools for today’s youth as they develop through adolescence and into young adulthood.
We believe that talking does not grow neurons; experience grows neurons. This workshop is designed to give caregivers the skills to become their child’s emotional coach. The workshop will provide participants with:
• Basic introduction of interpersonal neurobiology,
• Where emotions live in our brains,
• The essential role emotions play in mental well being,
• How to identify emotions in youth,
• How to become an emotional coach in only five steps.
Developing Parenting Plans After Separation ***please register using the poster only***
Noon - 1:30 PM
Presented by: John-Paul E. Boyd, KC (he/him)
Arbitrator, Mediator & Parenting Coordinator
Member of the Law Societies of Alberta & British Columbia
In this presentation, participants will learn about the key considerations in developing parenting plans, including the level of conflict between parents, the age and maturity of children, and the views and preferences of children.
Understanding Social Media Use in Teens ***please register using the poster only***
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Presenters: Ashley Meagher, Certified Child and Youth Care Counsellor, Success Coach & Jo Burley BCST, NPML, Success Coach, Rockyview School Division, MHCB Stepping Stones to Mental Health
The world of social media is constantly changing, and it can be hard to keep up. This session will look at some of the most popular platforms among Canadian youth and how to protect privacy and keep everyone safe. We will also discuss the effects of social media use on teen mental health and how to promote healthy social media habits in a digital world.
Navigating Suicide Prevention: Understanding Risk, Building Resilience, and Fostering Community Support ***please register using the poster only***
6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
Presented by:
Sondous Husien, MSW, RSW
Crisis Counsellor | Eastside Community Mental Health Services | Wood’s Homes
Jasmeen Gill, BSW Practicum Student
This presentation delves into the critical aspects of suicide, including the assessment of suicide risk with children and youth, commonly held beliefs about suicide, and the impact of trauma and stress on mental health. The discussion extends to proactive suicide prevention measures, emphasizing the development of safety plans and the cultivation of resilience. Additionally, the presentation highlights the significance of community support in creating a holistic approach to addressing and preventing suicide.
Headache in kids and teens: causes, treatment approach, and the relationship to mental health ***please register using the poster only***
11:00 AM - 12:30 PM
Presented by: Serena L. Orr, MD, MSc, FRCPC
Pediatric neurologist & headache specialist, Alberta Children's Hospital
Associate Professor of Pediatrics, University of Calgary
Principal investigator, Pediatric Headache Research Lab (PeHRL: https://www.pehrl.ca/)
Objectives:
1. Review types of headaches in youth and how common they are
2. Review how we approach treating headaches in youth
3. Review the relationship between headaches in youth and mental health
Vaping & Youth ***please register using the poster only***
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
Presented by the Community Health Promotion Services Team, Recovery Alberta.
Vaping among youth is on the rise across Canada, raising concerns for parents, educators, and communities. This session will explore the most commonly used vaping devices, the substances involved—such as nicotine and cannabis—and the potential health risks associated with e-cigarette use. We’ll also discuss practical strategies for engaging in open and effective conversations with young people about vaping. Join us to gain the knowledge and tools needed to support informed decision-making and promote healthier choices among youth.