Workshops and Events

BLOOM speakers

People who think deeply about disability and parenting share their stories at BLOOM speaker nights. For more information, call Louise Kinross at 416-424-3866.

Family Education Workshops

Family education workshops provide information and support to parents of children with disabilities. Topics include parenting, education, recreation, respite and how to access funding. All workshops are currently held virtually. Please see the postings below for topics and details on the workshops available this year. 

For more information, contact Family Support Specialist Melissa Ngo at 416-425-6220, ext. 6348 or email smoynagh@hollandbloorview.ca. 

Parent Support Network 

Parent Support Network (PSN) is a monthly support and discussion event available to families, currently taking place virtually over Zoom Healthcare on the first Wednesday of every month. This event is offered at different times of day to allow for families with different schedules to attend. Parent Support Network aims to create a space where families can build relationships through sharing experiences, information, challenges and successes. Discussion is facilitated by a Family Support Specialist and a Family Leader. Parent Support Network is:

• Created by families, for families
• Unique peer-to-peer support network
• At times includes guest speakers who are childhood disability experts
• Open to all caregivers of children living with disability

For more information about Parent Support Network please contact Family Support Specialist Stephanie Moynagh at smoynagh@hollandbloorview.ca or at 416-425-6220 ext. 6146

All workshops and events are also posted on our events calendar. To be added to our newsletter email list which lets you know of our upcoming workshops and events, please send an email to: resourcecentre@hollandbloorview.ca.

Receive email alerts for Family Events

Please email a Family Support Specialist at resourcecentre@hollandbloorview.ca to be added to the email distribution list to be alerted for Family Workshops, Parent Support Network, Paperwork Parties, Solution-Focused Coaching, and the Sibling Support Program.

Registration Information

• All family events are currently held virtually over Zoom Healthcare.
• Family events listed in this brochure are free of charge.
• Each family event requires an individual registration as flyers get released.
• Anyone can attend these family events; however parents and caregivers who have children with disabilities have priority for registration.
• Please see family event descriptions online for details.
• When events are able to be held in-person at Holland Bloorview, supervised on-site childcare is available for a limited number of children who are 30 months old and over. Children under 30 months must be accompanied in the playroom by a caregiver over the age of 18 at all times.  Please see the section "Child care at the Ronald McDonald Playroom" below for details.

Family Events Brochure for October 2021 - February 2022

The following Family Workshops are upcoming:

For more information, contact Family Support Specialist Stephanie Moynagh at 416-425-6220, ext. 6146 or email smoynagh@hollandbloorview.ca. 

Paperwork Parties are monthly workshops that aim to support families in completing funding applications. The workshop includes a presentation followed by the option to join a breakout room hosted by Holland Bloorview staff and Family Leaders, who will offer support, tips and strategies on filling out common funding applications. Breakout rooms are based on different funding sources including: Special Services at Home (SSAH), Assistance for Children with Severe Disabilities (ACSD), Ontario Autism Program (OAP), Assistive Devices Program (ADP), Holland Bloorview's Family Support Fund and other funds and supports such as the TTC Assistance Card, Easter Seals Funding and Grants, Access2Entertainment Card and more.

Families are encouraged to watch our recorded Paperwork Party Part 1 Webinar - Funding Overview prior to attending a Paperwork Party. For more information, contact Family Support Specialist Stephanie Moynagh at smoynagh@hollandbloorview.ca or at 416-425-6220 ext. 6146. 

The Solution-Focused Communication for Families workshops are a series designed to help parents enhance their communication skills by highlighting their family strengths and resources. For more information, contact Elaine Cook at ecook@hollandbloorview.ca.

Part 1: Fundamentals

In the initial and mandatory workshop, participants will learn the fundamental principles and skills of solution-focused communication. All fundamentals workshops will take place online. 

• October 31, 2020 
  Register for this workshop
• November 28, 2020
  Register for this workshop
• January 30, 2021
  Register for this workshop
• March 27, 2021
  Register for this workshop
• April 27, 2021
  Register for this workshop
• May 29, 2021
  Register for this workshop

Part 2: Advanced Solutions

A series of workshops that complement and enhance skills learned in the Fundamentals workshop. Please note that you must attend a Fundamentals workshop before attending an Advanced workshop.

Topic: Advocacy

Participants will learn how to more effectively advocate for their child, using solution-focused communication principles.
 

• February 8, 2021
  Register for this workshop
• February 27, 2021
  Register for this workshop
• June 14, 2021
  Register for this workshop

Topic: Conflict Resolution

Participants will learn how to manage conflict in ways that emphasize mindfulness, strengths and resources, dignity and respect.

• March 8, 2021
  Register for this workshop

Topic: Reframing

Participants will learn to reframe their child’s behaviours and thought processes in a manner that amplifies positive development.

• December 7, 2020
  Register for this workshop
• April 12, 2021
  Register for this workshop

Topic: Self-Care

Continued enhancement of solution-focused communication skills with an emphasis on self-care: positive self-talk, controlling rumination, and finding peace and personal wisdom.

• January 11, 2021
  Register for this workshop
• May 10, 2021
  Register for this workshop

You are invited to a Holland Bloorview Information Session!

We are offering our new outpatient families a free information session so that you can learn about helpful resources and be prepared for your first appointment. At this information session, we will answer some frequently asked questions (FAQs), including:

• What can I do while my child is on the waitlist?
• What other services in the community can I access?
• What other services at Holland Bloorview can I access?
• How can I get ready for our first appointment at Holland Bloorview?
• How can I meet other parents or family members who might be in the same position as me?
• What are some tips from other parents or families who have been to appointments at Holland Bloorview?
• What are some tips from clinicians?
• What tools are available to help organize all of my child’s information?

This information session will feature an optional tour of Holland Bloorview at the end. Attendees will receive a resource booklet with the answers to the questions above.

Please note:

Families can access this orientation by invitation only as this is a pilot program. Eligibility to attend this orientation:

• If you have a child who is accepted and on the waitlist for Holland Bloorview's main site Neuromotor Clinic or Communication, Learning and Behaviour Clinic AND
•  You received an invitation letter from us in the mail, along with your acceptance letter

This is not your first clinical appointment, but an information session on how to prepare for it. It is one hour long, and the optional tour is an additional 15-30 minutes. Sessions are offered twice per month. If you have any questions or require additional or special supports, please contact a Family Support Specialist at 416-425-6220 x6348 or resourcecentre@hollandbloorview.ca.

Sign up for a spot!

Attendees must register for a spot to confirm registration. To register, please email resourcecentre@hollandbloorview.ca. 

Holland Bloorview’s Sibling Support Program will give siblings, ages 7-18, the opportunity to relax, unwind, meet peers who might share lived experiences. It will provide a safe space to talk about what it’s like to be a sibling of someone with a disability. The program is open to any child who has a sibling with a disability, complex medical needs and/or dual diagnosis.

Child Care Information

When events are able to be held in-person at Holland Bloorview, supervised on-site childcare is available for a limited number of children who are 30 months old and over.  Children under 30 months must be accompanied in the playroom by a caregiver over the age of 18 at all times.

Playroom registration opens 2 weeks and 2 days before the date of each event, and closes 48 hours before each event.

Playroom spaces are confirmed only after an intake call is completed over the phone. (Intake is required for every event and unregistered children cannot be accommodated).

Please call Daniel Scott/ Joanne Diaz at 416-425-6220 ext. 3438 to discuss your child’s needs and register for a Playroom spot.