Improving family outcomes by focusing on diversity

The world’s leading experts in the field of family support services will converge on the breathtaking town of Banff, part of the Rocky Mountains chain in Canada, in February next year for the 18th annual Helping Families Change Conference.

With a theme of Strength in Diversity, next year’s conference will provide researchers, family support practitioners and those looking for best-practice examples of implementation of the Triple P – Positive Parenting Program with a unique opportunity to learn from and network with the best in the field.

Organizers are pleased to announce that a draft program for the February 3-5 event is now available, giving those wishing to attend every opportunity to get the most out of a packed program.

“This year’s conference focuses on supporting practitioners and policy makers alike with ways to ensure that all families receive the support they need to give their children every opportunity to thrive,’’ Triple P founder and director of the PFSC, Professor Matt Sanders, said.

“From managing the diverse needs of families of children with a disability to recognising the role that practitioners can play in helping parents improve outcomes for children with chronic illnesses, this year’s program really does focus on ensuring that every family has access to the support they need.”

Professor Sanders will open this year’s conference with a keynote address and close the conference with a Masterclass presentation for providers.

Other keynote speakers include:

• Dr Robert McMahon, Professor of Psychology at Simon Fraser University and chair of the Institute for the Reduction of Youth Violence who will provide an overview of what we know about the research into parent management training and areas for future clinical and research investigation;
• Dr Dipesh Navsaria, assistant professor of pediatrics at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, who will discuss the role of toxic stress, adverse child experiences, and how this information can be used to shape early intervention and prevention programs including positive parenting programs and policies; and
• Dr Charlotte Johnston, professor and director in clinical training in the Clinical Psychology Program in the Department of Psychology at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, who will talk about how the latest research findings can inform the development and implementation of effective interventions for families of children with ADHD.

An early-bird registration discount is currently in place. To register for the conference, go here.

To view the draft conference program, go here.

To follow HFCC on Twitter, go here.