As 2024 draws to a close, the Human Early Learning Partnership (HELP) reflects on another year of growth, connection, and progress in our mission to support children’s well-being. This year brought exciting new faces to our team, innovative projects, and strengthened partnerships with communities, researchers, and policymakers. Join us as we celebrate our milestones and look forward to 2025.

Welcoming New Faculty and Affiliates

This year, we were thrilled to welcome new faculty and affiliate members to the HELP community. Dr. Tim Oberlander joined as faculty, bringing a wealth of knowledge and experience to our work. Additionally, we welcomed three new affiliate faculty members: Dr. Judy Gillespie, Dr. Caroline Sanders, and Dr. Kimberly Thomson. These dedicated professionals are enhancing HELP’s capacity to support child development and well-being through interdisciplinary research and community collaboration.

Advancing Indigenous Data Sovereignty and Partnerships

A significant milestone in 2024 was HELP’s receipt of the Strategic Investment Fund (SIF) to support the implementation of Indigenous Data Sovereignty principles. This funding enables us to advance ethical, respectful, and community-led data practices.

Additionally, HELP & the Centre for Excellence in Indigenous Health hosted the Roots Circle event series, part of the Creating Structures for Meaningful Indigenous Community & UBC Health Partnerships project. This work strengthens relational and reciprocal partnerships between Indigenous communities and UBC Health.

We also recently welcomed two new members to the Aboriginal Steering Committee (ASC): Mary Burgaretta and Marilyn Maychak.

_{Participants at Roots Circle | May 2024}

Launching New Tools and Reports

2024 saw the release of HELP’s very first MDI Provincial Summary. This summary offers a comprehensive look at Middle Years Development Instrument (MDI) data across British Columbia, providing insights into the well-being of children in Grades 4 through 8.

We also launched new and improved versions of our EDI and MDI Data Dashboards, making data more accessible for planning and action by communities and decision-makers.

Notable Visits and Events

We were honored to host several distinguished visitors this year. During Aboriginal Steering Committee (ASC) gatherings, we welcomed BC’s Minister for Children and Family Development, Grace Lore, and UBC President, Dr. Benoit-Antoine Bacon, along with Vice President & Provost, Dr. Gage Averill. These visits underscored the importance of HELP’s work and the value of collaborative engagement.

_{Minister Grace Lore with Aboriginal Steering Committee members and HELP staff | June 2024}

_{UBC President, Dr. Benoit-Antoine Bacon, UBC Vice President & Provost, Dr. Gage Averill, with Aboriginal Steering Committee members and HELP staff | October 2024}

Celebrating Achievements and Awards

2024 was a year of remarkable accomplishments for HELP faculty and students. Some highlights include:

Dr. Mariana Brussoni, HELP Director, received the 2024 Faculty of Medicine Distinguished Achievement Award for Service to the University and Community, and the 2024 Joe L. Frost Award for Distinguished Research from the US Play Coalition
Hebah Hussaina, a HELP student, graduated and received the Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship for her research on mental health
Dr. Matt Carwana’s research lab secured funding for the Youth Overdose Research Cluster through the UBC Catalyzing Research Clusters competition to address youth substance use and overdose through collaborative research efforts
Dr. Christine Voss received a Canucks for Kids Fund Diabetes Catalyst Grant for a pilot study to increase physical activity in children with type 1 diabetes living in rural and remote communities.
Dr. Anne Gadermann and Dr. Brenda Poon were awarded SSHRC Partnership Development Grants for collaborative research projects. Learn more

Congratulations to all for their outstanding work!

_{Dr. Mariana Brussoni with Dr. Dermot Kelleher (Dean, UBC Faculty of Medicine) at the UBC Faculty of Medicine 2024 Distinguished Achievement Awards Event | November 2024 (Pofu Photography)}

Compassionate Systems Leadership Expansion

The Compassionate Systems Leadership network continued to grow in 2024, supporting educators, leaders, and communities. This year marked the launch of a new Compassionate Systems Leadership website, offering resources and insights for those committed to creating supportive systems for children’s well-being.

Stories of Impact

We were inspired by the incredible ways our partners are using HELP data to drive change. Highlights include:

Building a Community Wellness Framework: The South Island Indigenous Authority leveraged HELP data to create a framework centered on community wellness. Read their story
Play-Based Social-Emotional Learning: The Fraser Valley community used EDI data to implement a play-based curriculum supporting children’s social-emotional development. Learn more

In addition, our Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Anti-Racism Committee Chair, Adrienne Toye, was recognized as a REDI Leader by UBC’s School of Population and Public Health. Learn more

HELP in the World: Conferences and Gatherings

In 2024, HELP was active in sharing knowledge and building connections across various platforms and events:

Hosted a pre-conference day for the 2024 Early Years Conference
Hosted HELPx during the British Columbia School Trustrees Association’s Training Academy for all elected school trustees in the province
Co-hosted a webinar with First Call Child and Youth Advocacy Society on poverty and childhood well-being. Watch the webinar
Delivered the MDI Data Trends Webinar on well-being and healthy habits of early adolescents. Watch the webinar
HELP faculty and affiliates Dr. Matt Carwana, Dr. Eva Oberle, and Dr. Kimberly Thomson participated in the Science Meets Parliament program in Victoria, connecting HELP faculty with policymakers
Hosted and presented at numerous regional and community sessions, including events in Kootenay/Boundary, Sooke, and Comox as well as both Fraser and Island Health Authority teams working with schools and families

These engagements underscored the importance of connecting research with real-world action to support children’s well-being.

_{HELP hosting Pre-Conference Day at the 2024 Early Years Conference | January 2024}

_{(L-R) Joanne Schroeder, Dr. Hasina Samji, Crystal McLeod, Kate Buium, Duane Jackson, Dr. Martin Guhn, Dr. Mariana Brussoni; Presenters for HELPx at BCSTA’s 2024 Training Academy | November 2024}

Looking Ahead to 2025

As we prepare for 2025, we are excited about the opportunities to deepen our work and partnerships. Here’s what’s on the horizon:

Continued Cross Ministry EDI Table meetings with key child-serving ministry partners
Increased focus on Indigenous data governance at January’s ASC meeting
Setting priorities for the DEIA Committee to guide HELP’s ongoing commitment to equity, inclusion, and anti-racism

Thank You for Your Support

We are deeply grateful to our partners, communities, and supporters for helping make 2024 a year of meaningful progress. We look forward to continuing this journey together in 2025.

Wishing you all a joyful and restful holiday season!

—The HELP Team