Global Perinatal Support Workers Inc.
proud to host their first
CANADIAN PERINATAL CONFERENCE
WHEN: Date October 28th, 2023
WHERE: Ron Joyce Centre - 4350 South Service Road Burlington, ON L7L 5R8
WHO: For anyone who works with new or expecting parents Ex. Doctors, Midwives, Nurses, PNSWs, FCSs, Doulas, IBCLCs, Prenatal Educators, Social Workers, etc
COST: $125 pp before August 1st, 2023 $150 pp after August 1st, 2023
INCLUDED: Entire conference series, light breakfast, lunch, snacks, coffee/tea and parking
WHERE: Ron Joyce Centre - 4350 South Service Road Burlington, ON L7L 5R8
WHO: For anyone who works with new or expecting parents Ex. Doctors, Midwives, Nurses, PNSWs, FCSs, Doulas, IBCLCs, Prenatal Educators, Social Workers, etc
COST: $125 pp before August 1st, 2023 $150 pp after August 1st, 2023
INCLUDED: Entire conference series, light breakfast, lunch, snacks, coffee/tea and parking
2023 Conference Topic
THE IMPACT OF SOCIAL CHANGE ON PREGNANCY & PARENTING
We are so excited to bring to you the 2023 Canadian Perinatal Conference brought to you by the Global Perinatal Support Workers Inc. Our world has changed drastically over the last 20 years and even more so over the last 3 years For anyone who works with this demographic, it is clear that we as educators, supporters and care providers need to be aware of the social changes impacting the community and how we can better support our clients and patients. We are excited to start off our very first conference with a line up of speakers who work with clients and patients on a regular basis and who have seen how we as providers can help them navigate through this new parenting world with less frustration and anxiety.
Key Note Speaker
Ann Douglas
The mother of all books
Topic: Parenting in an age of anxiety
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Ann Douglas (she/her) sparks conversations that matter about parenting and mental health. She is the creator of Canada’s bestselling series of pregnancy and parenting books, The Mother of All books series, and the author of two critically acclaimed parenting guides: Happy Parents, Happy Kids and Parenting Through the Storm. Her most recent book is Navigating The Messy Middle: A Fiercely Honest and Wildly Encouraging Guide for Midlife Women.
If you've already met Ann via one her books, you know what you can expect from one of her presentations: to be inspired, informed, and entertained. Not only will she shift your thinking about what the challenges that parents are facing in 2023: she’ll move you to action as well. By the end of Ann's presentation, you’ll be eager to embrace the important role that you have to play in supporting parents: in helping them to feel confident and capable as opposed to anxious, guilty, or overwhelmed. Website and social media coordinates Website: anndouglas.ca Blog: www.anndouglas.net/blog/ Twitter: @anndouglas Instagram: @annmdouglas Facebook: @themotherofallbooks/ |
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Speaker
Michelle McVittie
Child Life Specialist and Parenting Coach
Topic: Instant answers from instant experts!
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Michelle Mcvittie (she/her) has had a lifelong career working with children and families. Michelle is the parenting expert for CHCH Morning Live. She has worked in pediatric medical and mental health for over 20 yrs and has a B.A in sociology and post graduate diploma in Child Life Studies, both from McMaster University. Michelle sees parents 1:1, has on-demand parenting programs and does training for caregivers and professionals. Michelle's experience also comes from being a mom to two teenagers, she has been married to her husband for 20 years.
Website and social media coordinates Website: www.momthemanager.ca Instagram: @momthemanager Facebook: @momthemanager |
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Speaker
Deborah Bluestein
Surrey Place
Topic: Parenting with intellectual Disability in the Digital Age: Positives, Pitfalls and Possibilities
Learn about the experiences that parents with IDD face when navigating information technology.
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Deborah Bluestein (she/her) has an undergraduate degree in Rehabilitation Services and a Master’s degree in Developmental Psychology and Education. For the past 25 years, Deborah has been working as a Parenting Enhancement Program Therapist at Surrey Place Centre in the Parenting Enhancement Program (PEP). She works with Parents with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), providing support and education around parenting skills. Recently, the PEP program received a 3-year grant from United Way. Deborah has taken on a grant management role and is currently developing prenatal, postnatal, and early childhood curriculum for parents with an IDD. Deborah is also a part-time professor at Seneca College in the Faculty of Continuing Education and Training.
Website and social media coordinates Website: www.surreyplace.ca Instagram: @surreyplace Facebook: @surreyplace |
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Speaker
Cheyenne Scarlett, ECE, BCD, MA ECS
Topic: The importance of the childbirth experience as a foundational experience for families
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Cheyenne Scarlett (she/her) is a perinatal health advocate, speaker, educator and mother to 4. Her advocacy work focus on improving the childbirth experience for Black birthing people in Canada. She is a co-founder of the Black Birth Project, a community research collective that focuses on advocating for the collection of race based data in Canada. While completing her Master’s degree in early childhood studies, Cheyenne conducted research with 30 women in the GTA about their childbirth experiences, a first of it’s kind. Cheyenne prioritizes supporting both families as well as health care professionals in order to create sustainable change within perinatal spaces.
Website and social media coordinates Website: Www.babyplanner.ca Email:Info@babyplanner.ca |
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Speaker
Sam Leeson
BabyReady
Topic: Being socially Diverse, Equitable & Inclusive (DEI) as people transition to parenthood
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After working in the Standardized Patient Program at UWO, instructing medical students on the subtle nuances of performing physically and emotionally safe pelvic examinations, Sam Leeson (she/her) began a career as a birth worker (CBEd., Doula, LS, Fertility C&E) and has worked in that capacity for over 20 years. As a proud member of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community she has focused her work in educating and assisting members of her community as they start and grow their families. Additionally, Sam works alongside care, providers and professionals alike to ensure that all of their communication, signage and web resources reflect dynamic DEI initiatives.
In 2022 Sam launched babyREADY’s “Not the Other” baby event. Comprised of interviews with professionals who work alongside couples and individuals as they seek to start or grow their family as well as conversations with parents of intentionally created families this ongoing, virtual event is created specifically with 2SLGBTQIA+ people in mind. All of the individuals interviewed share that identity. By the end of Sam’s presentation, you will have more understanding of some of the areas of concern for 2SLGBTQIA+ people who seek to start and grow their families. Website: https://www.babyready.info TikTok: @babyREADYlgbtq Instagram: @babyREADYlgbtq Facebook: @babyREADYinfo |
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Speaker
Paula D. Morrison
BORN Ontario
Topic: Social media, pregnancy & parenthood: What is the impact? And the oMAMA app
Objectives:
1) An understanding of BORN Ontario
2) Understanding the research and complexities of digital health information for pregnancy and parenthood
3) Exploring opportunities for reliable virtual information for pregnancy and parenthood
4) Learn about the OMama app
1) An understanding of BORN Ontario
2) Understanding the research and complexities of digital health information for pregnancy and parenthood
3) Exploring opportunities for reliable virtual information for pregnancy and parenthood
4) Learn about the OMama app
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Paula (she/her) is a clinical content specialist at BORN Ontario with a focus on Public Health. She has had a diverse career in healthcare working in both community and hospital. She has devoted most of her career focused on maternal-child health. She is a registered nurse and holds a master's degree in Psychology specializing in Industrial/Organizational Psychology. In her role at BORN, she has been the BORN clinical project lead of a partnership with the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services (MCCSS) with the provincial rollout of the BORN & HCD-ISCIS Integration Initiative (eHBHC). She has had a key role in the revitalization of the OMama website and app.
Email Paula - RN BScN, MSPsy |
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Speaker
Julie-Anne Mauno
Perinatal Support Worker & Educator
Topic: Shaping the future of perinatal support work:
current issues and innovative approaches to perinatal care.
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Julie-Anne Mauno (she/her) is a Registered Perinatal Support Worker (PNSW) with over 24 years of experience providing perinatal support and education to families and parents. She is a faculty member of the PNSW program at Mohawk College and the Perinatal Resource Project Lead on the research team for the Iligiingniq: Inuit Perinatal Health & Wellness Project in Arviat, Nunavut. Her work includes developing innovative perinatal programming, facilitating perinatal workshops and classes, and developing peer support groups for parents affected by perinatal mental health and infant and pregnancy loss. Julie-Anne has also facilitated Home Hospice Association’s Infant and Pregnancy Loss Doula program and is the founder of their Our Babies, Our Grief peer support group. Her values include empowerment, self-advocacy, and compassion. Julie-Anne strives to adopt a trauma-informed and decolonizing approach to her perinatal work.
Website and social media coordinatesInstagram: @positive_postpartum Facebook: @positiveperinatalservices website: www.babeez.ca website: www.pnsw.org |
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Speaker
Michelle Buckner
Breastfeeding Buddies
Topic: Building Supportive Breastfeeding Communities
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Michelle Buckner (she/her) is the mother of 3 breastfeed children, holds a degree in Social Work, was a La Leche League Leader for 15 years and currently coordinates the Breastfeeding Buddies Program in Waterloo Region, Canada. Michelle has been supporting women, parents and families for 20 years, has spoken at conferences across Canada on the topic of peer breastfeeding support, reaching priority populations, and engaging community partners in a collaborative peer lead model of support. Michelle is the co author of several provincial Best Start peer breastfeeding training courses, is a BFI Level 1 facilitator and the 18 hour WHO peer breastfeeding course. Michelle sat on the RNAO breastfeeding advisory panel, secured a large grant for breastfeeding advocacy, was awarded the Ontario Elementary Teachers Federation “Women Working in Social Activism” award and the Laurier University “Social Inclusion award” for her work with parents and children who face barriers to healthcare and breastfeeding/chestfeeding support.
Website and social media coordinates Website: www.breastfeedingbuddies.com Email: mbuckner@kdchc.org |
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Speaker
Laurel Crossley
B.A. Child Studies, Faculty of Mindfullness
Topic: Living & Parenting Mindfully in a digital world
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For over 25 years, Laurel's (she/her) teaching and speaking has spanned the globe. She is a Certified Adult Teacher having taught many campuses at Sheridan College for 14+ years.
She has made it her mission to ensure that families are well - mind, body and spirit. Her speaking and teaching come from lived experience as well as her 30+ years coaching families (parent and child). She teaches from the heart, incorporating humour and real life experiences that connects to every audience (adult, student or parent) in a way that stays with them long after they’ve heard her speak. She is the Founder of The Little Wellness Company Inc and the creator of numerous mindfulness initiatives including Meditating Munchkins™, Crazy for Crystals™ and Yay! Yoga™ in support of mental health. Laurel currently produces and co- hosts the podcast Boobs, Bods and Brains (dedicated to women’s wellness) and produced 2 tv series “Help! We’ve Got Anxiety” ™️ and “MomU!” Website and social media coordinates Website: www.laurelcrossley.com Email: laurel@laurelcrossley.com |
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Speaker
Shawn Gallagher, BCH
Topic: Magic? Myth? Managing expectations to reduce unnecessary
trauma when birth preparation incorporates hypnosis
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Shawn (she/her) entered the world of midwifery in the early 1980s as a volunteer for the Midwifery Task Force of Ontario (MTF-O), a consumer support group that was the precursor to the Ontario Midwifery Consumer Network (OMCN). As a part of the group of midwives who were grannied-in with the 1994 legislation, she is also a co-founder of Midwife Alliance in west Toronto.
She became a Board Certified Hypnotist (NGH) and retired from being an RM in order to do hypnosis full-time. She trained in HypnoBirthing® with the founder, Marie Mongan. She created the ChildbirthJoy Prenatal Hypnosis series that she has taught since 1999, is a HypnoFertility practitioner, and provides hypnosis for a range of presenting issues. Shawn had two homebirths with midwives in 1990 and 1996. Ever since Dr. Lamaze’s book Painless Childbirth, generations of women believed that if they just breathed in a certain way, they were guaranteed a pain-free birth. Doctors then started using hypnosis for birth preparation in the 50s and 60s with good success. Fast-forward into the 21st century and hypnosis is back in favour again. Website and social media coordinates Website: www.childbirthjoy.com Email: shawn@childbirthjoy.com |
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Speakers
Gillian Cullen and Gabrielle Griffith
Topic: The Hidden Barriers of Reproductive Health Care
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Birth Mark (she/they) is the vision of founder and CEO, Gillian Cullen (she/they) and was created after recognizing the impact of individual doula support and that there were people and communities without access to this valuable resource.
Growing up in an underserved community where she witnessed families with layered barriers, Gillian was drawn to community action and how work as a doula provided solutions to families. As an abuse survivor, Gillian has personal experience and understanding to what it feels like to be alone and vulnerable when facing reproductive health and parenting. A Full Spectrum Doula and Craniosacral Practitioner, Gillian has attended countless trainings/workshops on how to better support people in their reproductive journey. |
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Gabrielle (they/he/she)is a full spectrum doula and educator who prioritizes support and education for the queer and trans community that is sex and kink positive. They help people get informed and feel empowered along their reproductive journey by providing fact-based information to make the choices that work. Gabrielle believes that choice, consent, courage, community, and care are the foundation of all reproductive care education. Website and social media coordinates Website: www.birthmarksupport.com Email: info@birthmarksupport.com |
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