Implementing and evaluating an evidence-based caregiver program within a paediatric healthcare organization: Bridging research and practice to support early intervention services

This project will focus on the implementation of the ENVISAGE-Families program within a children’s treatment centre, KidsABILITY. ENVISAGE is a validated evidence-informed program co-created by family caregivers, service providers, and researchers in Canada and Australia that empowers, connects, and supports caregivers early in their experience of raising a child with developmental concerns. The five-week online program offers early exposure to current thinking and best practices around childhood development and disability, while encouraging information-sharing and connection among caregivers. The ENVISAGE-Families workshops address broad themes and do not offer individual clinical services or advice to families about personal or child-specific matters. Studies on ENVISAGE-Families have demonstrated significant positive impact on caregivers’ sense of empowerment, parenting confidence, and wellbeing. Dr. Samantha Noyek is well positioned to lead this project, with academic supervision based at McMaster University (CanChild, co-developers of ENVISAGE) and host supervision from KidsAbility. In collaboration with KidsAbility, we aim to implement ENVISAGE-Families within KidsAbility’s Early Engagement Project, and to both study the implementation process and evaluate the impact of ENVISAGE-Families on families awaiting services. The implementation of this program is critical as there are a vast number of families (>4,800 as of December 2023) on the waitlist to receive services and interventions at KidsAbility, who would greatly benefit from this program, with the potential for enhanced family well-being.

Faculty Supervisor:

Andrea Cross;Jennifer Zwicker

Student:

Partner:

KidsAbility

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

Health and Related Sciences & Technology

University:

McMaster University

Program: