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 Advisory Committee (FAC) events

Our Family Advisory Committee hosts fun events like movie nights for the whole family. For more information, call Jean Hammond at 416-425-6220, ext. 3319.

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 held at Holland Bloorview. Please see the postings below for topics and details on the workshops available this year. 

For more information, call a Family Support Specialist at 416-425-6220, ext. 6348 or email resourcecentre@hollandbloorview.ca. 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.

All workshops and events are also posted on our events calendar.

Inpatient Parent Talk

Our inpatient parents meet Wednesday mornings in the Family Resource Centre from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. to share information, tips and stories, or simply to take a break. A family support specialist and family mentor are able to provide information and lead discussion and networking. The monthly inpatient parent talk schedule is posted on the e-screens on the third floor, and flyers are also distributed monthly to each room. We hope to see you there!

Caregiver Yoga

This free yoga class is for family caregivers of all levels of experience. No registration is required and equipment is supplied. A great chance for some self-care and to connect with other caregivers. This hour long class takes place on Thursdays from 10am – 11am in the Centre for the Arts across from the Conference Centre. Please see details in the flyer. For more information contact Jean Hammond, jhammond@hollandbloorview.ca
 

Family Events Brochure for October 2019 to June 2020

Download Family Events Brochure 2019 - 2020

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 held at Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital.
• 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.
• Supervised on-site childcare is available for a limited number of children who are 30 months old and over. Please see the section "Child care at the Ronald McDonald Playroom" below for details.

The following Family Workshops are listed by date:

*NEW* Paperwork Parties are working sessions where staff and family leaders will share tips and resources to help you fill out applications like SSAH, ACSD, and more. Paperwork Parties are a great chance to connect with other caregivers and cross something off your to-do list. 

They occur on the third Tuesday of each month with the exception of March 2020. Please see the dates, times and locations below:
 

• Sept. 17, 2019 | 6pm-8pm | 5E100 | Workshop Flyer
• Oct. 15, 2019 | 6pm-8pm | 5E100
• Nov. 19, 2019 | 6pm-8pm | 2W625
• Jan. 21, 2020 | 6pm-8pm | 5E100
• Feb. 18, 2020 | 6pm-9pm | 5E100 (Special session on infographics) Flyer
• Mar. 24, 2020 | 6pm-8pm | 5E100
• Apr. 21, 2020 | 6pm-8pm | 5E100
• May 19, 2020 | 6pm-8pm | 5E100
• June 16, 2020 | 6pm-8pm | 5E100
   

The Parent Support Network is a unique series of daytime and evening events for parents and caregivers to engage in open discussion and provide mutual support. It is created by and for parents, invites childhood disability experts as guest speakers, and is open to all caregivers of children and youth living with a disability. 

Daytime Tea & Talk: Back to School

Thursday, September 19, 2019 | 1pm-2:30pm | Room: 2nd floor, 2W625
Register for this workshop

Evening Expert Discussion: Care for the Caregiver

Guest speaker: Jean Hammond (Client and Family Integrated Care)
Thursday, October 3, 2019 | 6pm-8pm | Room: 1st floor conference centre
Register for this workshop

Evening Expert Discussion: Sibling Support

Guest speaker: Victoria Rombos (Client and Family Integrated Care)
Thursday, November 7, 2019 | 6pm-8pm | Room: 1st floor conference centre
Register for this workshop

Evening Expert Discussion: Toddler Communications

Guest speaker: Dr. Jessica Brian (Bloorview Research Institute)
Thursday, December 5, 2019 | 6pm-8pm | Room: 1st floor conference centre

Register for this workshop

Daytime Tea & Talk: Holiday Tips & Tricks: Lessons Learned

Thursday, January 16, 2020 | 1pm-2:30pm | Room: 2nd floor, 2W625                                                                      Register for this workshop

Evening Expert Discussion: Autism Research Centre Update

Guest speaker: Dr. Evdokia Anagnostou (Bloorview Research Institute)
Thursday, February 6, 2020 | 6pm-8pm | Room: 1st floor conference centre                                                  Register for this workshop

Evening Expert Discussion: Pathways to Employment

Guest speaker: Radha MacCulloch (Ready, Willing, & Able)
Thursday, March 5, 2020 | 6pm-8pm | Room: 1st floor conference centre

Evening Expert Discussion: Approaches to Picky Eating in Autism Spectrum Disorder

Guest speaker: Yulia Khayat (Registered Dietitian)
Thursday, April 2, 2020 | 6pm-8pm | Room: 1st floor conference centre

Evening Expert Discussion: From Surviving to Thriving

Guest speaker: Fabiana Bacchini
Thursday, May 7, 2020 | 6pm-8pm | Room: 5E100

Evening Expert Discussion: Advocacy for the Family

Guest speaker: Susan Cosgrove
Thursday, June 4, 2020 | 6pm-8pm | Room: 5E100

Daytime Tea & Talk: Summer Fun

Thursday, July 16, 2020 | 1pm-2:30pm | Room: 2nd floor, 2W625

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.
 

Program Information

Holland Bloorview’s Sibling Support Program will be held once a month, at the same date and time as the scheduled Family Education Workshop, on the following dates:
 

• Tuesday October 29th, 2019 from 6-8pm
• Tuesday November 26th, 2019 from 6-8pm
• Tuesday December 2nd, 2019 from 6-8pm
• Monday February 3rd, 2020 from 6-8pm
• Thursday March 3rd, 2020 from 6-8:30pm
• Saturday April 11th, 2020 from 9:30am-12pm
• Thursday May 14th, 2020 from 6-8pm
• Monday June 15th, 2020 from 6-8pm

Registration

Registration for the Sibling Support Program will open 2 weeks and 2 days before the listed program date. Registration closes 48 hours prior to the program date. 

• To register Parents/Guardians/Members of your child’s care team/Clinicians can submit a referral form through Google Forms using this link: https://goo.gl/forms/OQbmL3J8Ykykmic52
• Once the form is complete and has been submitted, the Sibling Support Program Coordinator will call families to follow up and complete a profile about the Sibling attending the program and confirm their spot. Full intakes will only need to be done once. Please call to request a spot for each month individually.

Contact Us

If you require special accommodations or have questions, please contact Victoria Rombos at siblingsupport@hollandbloorview.ca or 416-425-6220 ext. 6082

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 from 9am to 11:30am in 2W625 (2nd floor).

• September 28, 2019 
  Register for this workshop
   
• October 26, 2019
  Register for this workshop
   
• November 23, 2019
  Register for this workshop
   
• January 25, 2020
  Register for this workshop
   
• February 22, 2020
  Register for this workshop
   
• March 28, 2020
  Register for this workshop
   
• April 25, 2020
  Register for this workshop
   
• May 30, 2020
  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.

• October 26, 2019 | 1pm-3pm | Room: 2nd floor, 2W625
  Register for this workshop
   
• April 25, 2020 | 1pm-3pm | Room: 1st floor, conference centre
  Register for this workshop

Topic: Conflict Reconciliation

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

• November 23, 2019 | 1pm-3pm | Room: 2nd floor, 2W625
  Register for this workshop
   
• March 28, 2020 | 1pm-3pm | Room: 1st floor, conference centre
  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.

• September 28, 2019 | 1pm-3pm | Room: 2nd floor, 2W625
  Register for this workshop
   
• February 29, 2020 | 1pm-3pm | Room: 1st floor, conference centre
  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 25, 2020 | 1pm-3pm | Room: 2nd floor, 2W625
  Register for this workshop
   
• May 30, 2020 | 1pm-3pm | Room: 1st floor, conference centre
  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. 

Child Care Information

Ronald McDonald Playroom

Supervised on-site childcare is available for a limited number of children who are 30 months old and over.

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).

At this time, children under 30 months old cannot be accommodated in our Playroom or at events.

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