RECENT BLOG POSTS
HELP Announces 2013 Fall Expo
SAVE THE DATE! October 21st, 2013 has been set for our Annual Fall Research Exposition.This full day event will take place at UBC Robson Square in Vancouver.
This year, we will present new research findings that have furthered our understanding of factors that can support and enhance the well-being of children in BC: from policy environments, to communities, to families. This theme was central to Clyde Hertzman's vision and research. This full day event will include several keynote presentations, and hands-on workshops with researchers that will deepen your understanding of important topics.
Join us as we celebrate the 10th Anniversary of HELP’s Aboriginal Steering Committee.
Posted:May 23, 2013, 3 p.m.
HELPing Children and Families Thrive: June 5 & 6 Register NOW!
HELP, Success By 6 and the Early Years Community Development Insititue are pleased to offer an open invitiation to a series of FREE workshops being offered at the University of British Columbia on June 5th and 6th, 2013:
- Better Beginnings, Better Futures with Ray Peters
- Effectively Engaging First Nations Communities with Denise Findlay
- Building Leadership from the Community Up with Paul Schmitz
Please see the flyers below for details and to register on-line.
Posted:May 16, 2013, 4 p.m.
HELP Announces Request for Proposals
HELP seeks proposals for an independent assessment of the Early Development Instrument (EDI), designed to assess the possible bias with respect to Aboriginal students in the design, delivery, and interpretation of the EDI.
For the past several years, there has been ongoing dialogue about the validity and potential bias of the EDI for use with Aboriginal children. Specific concerns have been raised by the First Nations Schools Association (FNSA) and the First Nations Education Steering Committee (FNESC) about the use of the EDI with Aboriginal children, both within First Nations schools and within the public and independent school systems.
An agreement has recently been reached the Province of BC (represented by MCFD, the core funder of the EDI project) UBC and the First Nations Education Steering Committee (FNESC) to undertake an independent research study to assess the potential bias of the EDI.
Proposal deadline: May 31, 2013
View the Request for Proposals here.
Posted:May 15, 2013, 10 a.m.
Clyde Hertzman Legacy Fund
A Clyde Hertzman Legacy Fund has been established to continue Dr. Hertzman's vision of thriving children and families. The Fund will support community initiatives and research that strengthen children's social and emotional development.
To donate online: www.supporting.ubc.ca/clydehertzman
Donate by phone: 604 827 4111
Posted:May 15, 2013, 8:57 a.m.
HELP Visits Chilliwack, May 21st, 2013
HELP is excited to announce that we will be visiting you! Join us in Chilliwack on May 21st, 2013 to hear
from our lead researchers and participate in workshops highlighting HELP’s most recent research.
We will take an in depth look at HELP’s work in collecting population level data on children in B.C., using both the Early and Middle Years Development Instruments (EDI and MDI). The presentations will focus on what we have learned about children’s development and the impacts this knowledge has had. We will also be presenting new results from the MDI, illustrating trends, and demonstrating the value of linking Kindergarten, Grade 4 and Grade 7 results.
Afternoon Workshops:
1. Why Do Community Systems Matter? Explore the interaction of environments that impact children’s development and examine how you can make a difference locally. The focus will be on an asset based approach to change.
2. What Does the MDI Tell Us? Get an in depth look at results from the MDI and an overview of the valuable information that is gathered using this instrument. Learn how it can be used to make a difference in your community.
On-line registration is now open
Posted:April 30, 2013, 2 p.m.
New HELP Video: Clyde's Key Messages
This new video is a compilation of a few of Dr. Clyde Hertzman's key messages. Clips were taken from various videos projects originally produced by the Canadian Institute for Advanced Research, the Dalai Lama Center and the Human Early Learning Partnership.
Posted:April 25, 2013, 2 p.m.
Michael Kobor at Café Scientifique April 30th
A Dialogue in Epigenetics: How Does the Environment Get Under Our Skin?
Moving out of the back room to the centre stage at The Railway Club (2nd floor of 579 Dunsmuir St. at Seymour St., Vancouver, Canada), the next Café Scientifique Vancouver talk will be given by Michael Kobor on Tuesday, Apr. 30, 2013 at 7:30 pm.
Posted:April 25, 2013, noon
Global TV interviews HELP researcher Lynell Anderson
On April 11th, 2013, Global TV host Aaron McArthur spoke with HELP's Senior Researcher Lynell Anderson about the recent UNICEF report ranking Canada near the bottom of some key categories related to the well being of our kids.
Posted:April 16, 2013, 4 p.m.
Australia Launches 2012 EDI Data
The 2012 collection is the second time the Australian Early Development Instrument (AEDI) has been run. The AEDI was first implemented nationwide in 2009 with data collected every three years.
The 2012 collection includes data on 289,973 children in their first year of formal full-time school representing a response rate of 96.5 per cent.
A key finding for the 2012 collection showed that nationally, a lower proportion of children are developmentally vulnerable across each of the five developmental domains in 2012 compared with 2009 except in the physical health and wellbeing domain, which remains unchanged at 9.3 per cent.
Copies of national report, online community maps and community profiles are available on the AEDI website.
Posted:April 4, 2013, 10 a.m.
Michael Kobor receives award of excellence
HELP congratulates Dr. Michael Kobor as one of the recipients of the inaugural Child and Family Research Institute (CFRI) Member & Staff Recognition Awards.
On March 12, 2013, it was announced that Dr. Kobor will be recognized with the Award of Excellence, Biomedical Research. Dr. Kobor is a scientist at the Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics. He is an Associate Professor at UBC's Department of Medical Genetics and the Human Early Learning Parthership (HELP).
The award recipients have long-standing and distinguished research careers that are recognized locally, nationally and internationally. Their work serves as outstanding examples of excellence and innovation that has significantly contributed to the health and well-being of children and families. A formal awards ceremony will take place in Fall 2013.
For more information: www.cfri.ca
Posted:March 26, 2013, 3 p.m.
HELP Visits Stz'uminus First Nation on April 12th
YOU'RE INVITED
April 12th, 2013, 9am-3pm
Stz’uminus First Nation Health Centre
3945 Shell Beach Road,Ladysmith
HELP is excited to announce that we will be visiting you! We are inviting all Aboriginal community members from around Vancouver Island: Parents, Grandparents, Teachers, Representatives from Aboriginal organizations, Chiefs & Council members. Come share your stories and hear about our research.
- Why is early childhood important?
- How is research helping us understand what our children need?
- What can we do to help our children succeed
Come eat with us. Come Learn with us. Come Share with us.
Please RSVP with HELP's Aboriginal Community Liaison Coordinator by April 9th:Elsie Kipp, 604-827-5081 or elsie.kipp@ubc.ca
Posted:March 21, 2013, 3 p.m.
HELP Visits Nelson and Nanaimo in April
This April the Human Early Learning Partnership will be visiting Nelson (April 8th) and Nanaimo (April 11th). This Spring Research Seminar Series hopes to continue the legacy of HELP's founding director, Dr. Clyde Hertzman, who wanted to get back to BC communities this year to increase collaborative efforts toward positive change for children and families.
Register for the Nelson event Register for the Nanaimo event
Morning Keynote Presentation: “Children and Communities Over Time”
Presenters: Joanne Schroeder, Deputy Director and Martin Guhn, Assistant Professor
The focus will be on what we have learned about children’s development and the impacts this knowledge has had at the local, provincial and national levels. New results from the MDI will be presented and will illustrate trends, and demonstrate the value of linking Kindergarten, Grade 4 and Grade 7 results.
Afternoon Workshops:
How Do Community Systems Influence Child Development? Explore the interaction of environments that impact children’s development and examine how you can make a difference locally. The focus will be on an asset based approach to change.
What Does the MDI Tell Us? Get an in depth look at results from the MDI and an overview of the valuable information that is ...
Posted:March 13, 2013, noon
Update from HELP Faculty and Staff
We are pleased to announce that one of our senior faculty members, Dr. W. Thomas Boyce, has been appointed Interim Director of HELP. Tom is an internationally known developmental paediatrician and scholar. He holds the Sunny Hill Health Centre/BC Leadership Chair in Child Development at the University of British Columbia and is also Co-Director of the Canadian Institute for Advanced Research (CIFAR) Child and Brain Development Program and a member of Harvard University's National Scientific Council on the Developing Child. Tom’s experience as a scientific leader, teacher and team builder provides us with the stability and vision to keep HELP solidly on course. Additionally, Joanne Schroeder is continuing in her role as Deputy Director. She will continue providing all aspects of operational leadership at HELP. Joanne has worked at HELP for over a decade, in a variety of community development and management roles. She has an extensive history and breadth of knowledge about all aspects of HELP’s research. As a leadership team, Tom and Joanne will provide the foundation as HELP moves into a new phase of development.
All of our core projects are continuing. We are currently in the process of transferring principal investigative responsibilities ...
Posted:March 7, 2013, 2:52 p.m.
Clyde Hertzman's Celebration of Life
Clyde's family and the Human Early Learning Partnership invite you to join us at a memorial to celebrate the life of Clyde Hertzman.
Date:
Sunday, March 17th, 2013
Time:
Guests are welcome at 1pm. Programme will begin at 2pm.
Reception immediately following.
Location:
The Chan Centre for the Performing Arts
6265 Crescent Road, UBC, Vancouver, BC
The celebration is open to the public
Donations to Clyde's Legacy Fund can be made at the event or by clicking here
Posted:March 4, 2013, 1:59 p.m.
New Report: Including All Children and Families Expanding Partnerships Project
Social Development Partnership Projects at UBC's Faculty of Education announces an online and interactive version of their Final Report (2009-2012): Including All Children and Families Expanding Partnerships Project. The report summarizes research studies, resources and materials.
Links to brief research summaries, audiovisual productions and interviews on the history of early intervention in BC are included.
Posted:Feb. 27, 2013, 5 p.m.
