October 12, 2006
Almost 200 professionals from all over Northwestern Ontario who work with expectant parents, infants and young children on issues of child safety and development will be gathering on October 18 & 19 to hear recent studies from Canadian researchers that may have them change the advice they give to their clients. Local parents and caregivers will also have an opportunity to hear current research on the controversial topic of children sleeping with their parents and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.
The Healthy Safe Child Conference is a two day conference being put on by the Thunder Bay Children's Aid Society, Norwest Community Health Centre, Thunder Bay District Health Unit, and the Thunder Bay District Social Services Administration Board.
The purpose of the conference is to provide area practitioners with research-based information that can be applied to practice recommendations for both their work and the families they work with. Topics include the issues of co-sleeping, ante-natal and post-natal drug substance use, and the effects of physical abuse and family violence on infants and children. Local professionals are often faced with new, emerging and sometimes conflicting information about the best advice to give and what guidelines to act on.
“This will be an opportunity for us to compare guidelines from across organizations and ensure that local parents are receiving consistent advice,” says Eija Leinonen, lead for the Promote Healthy Pregnancy and Early Child Development Initiative at the Health Unit and conference organizer. “By working together we can eliminate some of the conflicting messages that new parents often receive.”
On Wednesday night, parents or interested parties from the general public will be able to attend a free public session where pediatrician Dr. Côté from McGill University and Montreal Children’s Hospital will be talking about Sudden Infant Death Syndrome and safe sleeping environments. The free information session will be held Wed. Oct. 18, 2006 from 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. at the Waverly Resource Library – Auditorium.
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Background:
HEALTHY SAFE CHILD CONFERENCE
Travelodge Airlane – OCTOBER 18 & 19 – Please call day before to arrange any interviews
Infant Abuse and Impact of Family Violence
Dr. Marcellina Mian, MDCM, FRCPC, FAAP
Dr. Mian is the Director of the Undergraduate Medical Education at the Hospital for Sick Children and is a Professor of Paediatrics at the University of Toronto.
Dr. Mian will explore common types of infant abuse and the impact of family violence on young children. Topics that will be reviewed include Shaken Baby Syndrome, unexplained head injuries and high risk infants.
SIDS and Co-Sleeping
Dr. Aurore Cote, MD
Dr. Cote is an Associate Professor of Pediatrics at McGill University and a member of the Pediatric Respiratory Division of the Montreal Children’s Hospital.
Dr. Cote will present her research regarding unexplained infant death including SIDS. She will also present current information regarding co-sleeping.
Pre and Post Natal Drug and Alcohol Exposure
Dr. Gideon Koren, MD, FRCPC
Dr. Koren is the founder and Director of the Motherisk Program and professor of Pediatrics, Pharmacology and Medical Genetics at the University of Toronto.
Dr. Koren will explore the physiological, clinical and psychosocial consequences of drug and alcohol exposure during the pre and post natal period.
Effects of Cultural and Societal Trends on Child Health
Alan Mirabelli
Mr. Mirabelli joined the Vanier Institute in 1975 and is now the Executive
Director of Administration, Communications and Information.
Mr. Mirabelli will explore will explore the effects of television on children and family relationships, single parenting, divorce and childhood poverty.
Free Public Information Session
Wed. Oct. 18, 2006 – 7:00 - 8:30 p.m.
Waverly Resource Library – Auditorium
Pediatrician Dr. Côté from McGill University and Montreal Children’s Hospital will be talking about the important topics of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome and safe sleeping environments.