Exciting New Research Findings! The FER Team's latest study reveals the long-term (2-year) impact of the Family Engagement in Research (FER) Course on researchers and family members in neurodevelopmental disability and child health research! Link: www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....

✨ January FER Community Update is live! ✨ Start your year with intention and connection. In this month’s edition, we explore the power of a simple yet profound way to strengthen patient and family engagement. /1

FER Community Update | January 2026

Email from CanChild Centre for Childhood Disability Research What Does W.A.I.T Mean? January, 2026 Happy New Year! I’ve been following portia.noir (@portia.noir on Threads; @portianoir.com on Bluesky)

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✨ Our December FER Update is Here! 🎉 As 2025 winds down, we’re grateful for every family member, researcher, trainee, and partner who has helped make the Family Engagement in Research (FER) community vibrant, collaborative, and inspiring. 💛 In this month’s newsletter, you’ll find: /1

FER Community Update | December 2025

Email from CanChild Centre for Childhood Disability Research Happy Holidays! December, 2025 As we wrap up another meaningful year together, we want to extend our heartfelt gratitude to the families, r

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How can you lay the groundwork for successful patient partnership? #PxP25 speakers shared practical strategies for building research teams where patient partners feel prepared and supported—no matter their experience or role. 🎥 Watch back: www.youtube.com/watch?v=EnJ6...

Laying the groundwork: setting up for success in patient partnership

YouTube video by PxP For Patients, By Patients

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I keep seeing, "I saw someone post about being hungry yesterday so I gave them groceries" posts. Please don't post about keeping us fed for a pat on the back. We see those posts & it reminds us that people may help us & then ask friends for applause.

✨New Blog Alert!✨ We’re thrilled to share our latest post, “From Name to Purpose: Tailoring Your Leadership Journey,” co-written by the dedicated instructor team of the FER Leadership Academy and inspiring leaders from our current cohort. /1

📣 New FER Community Update is here!
As conference season approaches, our latest newsletter opens with an important reminder for researchers, healthcare professionals, and advocates alike: /1

This #ScienceLiteracyWeek, we’re celebrating how learning flows both ways. When people with lived experience partner in research, they gain new skills in science literacy, and studies grow stronger for it. Together, we build understanding, community, and knowledge that moves where it’s needed most.

Making Space Takes More Than a Seat This August, we're diving into "making space"—not just inviting family & lived-experience partners to the table, but empowering their voices to be heard and respected (and acted upon!). Plus: /1

Real impact starts with real voices. Hear from a FER graduate about the power of meaningful collaboration. 👉Learn more: tr.ee/lKU4zw @canchild.bsky.social @kidsbrainhealth.bsky.social #FERCourse #FamilyEngagement

📰 Our July 2025 FER Community Update is live! Catch up on what’s new & what’s next in family engagement in research. 📖 Read: tinyurl.com/FERJuly2025 💬 What helped you feel more ready to engage in meaningful ways? Comment below—we’d love to hear! #FERProgram #FamilyEngagement

🇩🇪 FER in Germany! So proud to see FER grads at #EACD2025 sharing how family voices shape care + research. From parenting to systems change, they’re leading the way. Want to join them? ➡️ ferprogram.ca #FERProgram #MedicalParent #DisabilityResearch #HealthEquity

📣 Last day to apply! Are you a parent or caregiver of a child with a disability or health condition? Join the 10-week FER Course to build research skills & connect with families & researchers. 🌍 Open to all 🔗 tr.ee/Z1Kj79 #momlife #Parenting

3 Things Parents Might Not Know About Partnering in Research You can shape research, not just join it. Your lived experience is expertise. Research with parents hits closer to home for real families. Applications are still open for the Family Engagement in Research Course! /1

If you are in the field of neurodevelopmental disability research, consider giving Kids Brain Health Network a follow!

Kids Brain Health Network@kidsbrainhealth.bsky.social · last yr.

Are you working on an evidence-based solution for children with NDDs?Whether you’re in research, healthcare, or a nonprofit, KBHN's upcoming funding call may be for you. 📅 Info Session: July 17 | 11 AM MT 🎯 Learn how to qualify 👥 Lived/living experience is required on your team! buff.ly/4wKmkuz

Good news! The deadline to apply for the next Family Engagement in Research (FER) Course has been extended! Behind every child is a story that matters… Every child’s journey is unique, shaped by their dreams, challenges, and the people who walk beside them. /1 #patientengagement

Good news! The deadline to apply for the next Family Engagement in Research (FER) Course has been extended! Whether you've already applied or still thinking about it, researchers, now’s a great time to reach out to your current patient or community partner and apply together. /1 #patientengagement

Ready to join a growing community of researchers and families working together? 🎉 Applications are OPEN for the Family Engagement in Research Course!
 🗓️ Fall 2025: Sept 15 – Nov 23
 🗓️ Winter 2026: Jan 19 – Mar 29
 💻 All online. 👉Learn more: tr.ee/lKU4zw 🔗Apply now: tr.ee/Z1Kj79 #PatientEngagement

Reflecting on partnership in research In this thoughtful blog post from members and partners from Bloorview Research Institute at Holland Bloorview, they share their journey of collaborating with a research team, from gaining the opportunity to partner, /1 #PatientEngagement

Reflecting on our experience of partnering in research: Youth and trainee perspectives.

By Brian Xiao, Danielle DuPlessis, Josh Shore

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Ready to join a growing community of researchers and families working together? 🎉 Applications are OPEN for the Family Engagement in Research Course!
 🗓️ Fall 2025: Sept 15 – Nov 23
 🗓️ Winter 2026: Jan 19 – Mar 29
 💻 All online. 👉Learn more: tr.ee/lKU4zw 🔗Apply now: tr.ee/Z1Kj79 #PatientEngagement

📰 Hot off the press! Check out the June 2025 FER Community Update to see what’s new in the world of family engagement in research! /1 #patientengagement

FER Community Update | June 2025

Email from CanChild Centre for Childhood Disability Research Communicating Summer Goals June, 2025 Happy June everyone! This is that time of year where I always hear as a part of general small talk, "

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At the Family Engagement in Research (FER) Course, our work is grounded in four core values: 💛Authenticity 🌍Inclusivity 👥Collaboration 🙌🏽Mutual Respect Do these resonate with you? Come join us! /1 #PatientEngagement #ConsumerInvolvement

Are you a researcher looking to strengthen your ability to collaborate meaningfully with families in research? This course is for you! 🎉 Applications are OPEN for the Family Engagement in Research Course!
 /1 #PatientEngagement

🌟 Spring Open House Alert! 🌟 The Open House is your opportunity to learn about the Family Engagement in Research (FER) Course, meet members of our team, and explore how our program can help you feel confident to partner in research. /1 #PatientEngagement

🌍 Did you know the Family Engagement in Research (FER) Course has welcomed learners from 23 countries around the world? Families, individuals with lived experience and researchers from all backgrounds have come together to learn, connect, and make research more meaningful. #patientengagenent /1

🌟 At FER, our vision is to transform the culture and practice of family engagement in health research and health care. Sounds like something you believe in too? 🎉 Applications are OPEN for the Family Engagement in Research Course!
 /1 #consumerinvolvement #patientengagement

Applications are OPEN for the Family Engagement in Research Course! 💬 Whether you’re new to family engagement research or looking to deepen your perspective, this course will offer the tools and mentorship to help you! /1 @canchild.bsky.social #consumerinvolvement #patientengagement

Lived experience is a powerful tool and it belongs in health research too. The FER Course supports #parents in learning how to work with researchers as partners. Apply today: bit.ly/43vXrvy Learn more: bit.ly/43g8zxK #patientengagement #consumerinvolvement

🎉 Applications are OPEN for the Family Engagement in Research Course!
 💪 Our mission is simple yet powerful: to train, mentor and mobilize the next generation of advocates, champions, and leaders in family engagement. @canchild.bsky.social #PatientEngagement #ConsumerInvolvement /1

🌟 At the Family Engagement in Research (FER) Training Program, our work is grounded in four core values: Authenticity, Inclusivity, Collaboration, and Mutual Respect. #PatientEngagement /1