Family Engagement Fundamentals
The Family Engagement Fundamentals is a foundational training opportunity that aims to increase knowledge and awareness of family engagement in research and/or family engagement in health care.
Co-facilitated by a small team of family leaders and researchers, this foundational training covers topics such as:
- what family engagement is and why it is important;
- the benefits and challenges of family engagement; and
- how to set up meaningful and authentic partnerships.
Learning activities and group discussions are integrated throughout and can be tailored to the needs of the group or organization. Learners are provided with a Family Engagement Fundamentals Booklet with a range of tools and resources that can be used in their local context. To date, we have offered foundational training to children’s health care centres, disability specific organizations, and national research networks.
Testimonials
Several members of our team have completed the Family Engagement in Research Course, along with a customized Foundations course tailored to family engagement in sleep research. This training has sparked rich discussions within our team and enhanced our understanding and capacity to partner with members of the public to advance knowledge on sleep health. Participants found both courses to be valuable, with accessible content. This training also inspired a trainee to focus on public engagement in their research!
- Dr. Jelena Komanchuk on behalf of the Sleep Health Equity Engagement Project team, Canada
Our partnership with CanChild through the Family Engagement in Research Program has been a catalyst for change at CTN. The foundational training and codesign process helped us move from intention to action — building a shared understanding of what meaningful engagement looks like. It’s deepened our commitment to embedding family voice in all aspects of our work and has laid the foundation for a sustainable, inclusive engagement framework across our network.
- Kim Hesketh, Lead, Clinical Modernization, Children’s Treatment Network, Canada
In June 2024, United Cerebral Palsy Research Council entered into a new partnership with CanChild to bring the Family Engagement in Research program to the UCP affiliate network. This journey was full of firsts that ended in transformative change. Shared decision making and family directed goals are increasingly shaping interactions with families at UCP of Central Arizona, popping up in conversations and care documents. Truthfully, I had no idea how great the impact would be at the beginning of my FER journey and now, I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to have participated in The Fundamentals Training and Family Engagement in Research Course. Thank you CanChild.
- Valerie Pieraccini, United Cerebral Palsy, United States
