The "Nurturing the Next Generation" Project Team is a joint collaboration headed by Dr. Brenda Smith-Chant of Trent University, together with Peel Public Health, and a team of research experts. The group was awarded a Canadian Institute for Health Research Knowledge Synthesis Grant to support the "Nurturing the Next Generation" Strategic Priority. This community initiative focusses on three family life stages: preconception, the prenatal period and infancy up to one year of age.
Project Manager Judy Buchan, noted that "the goals of the program are first to learn about the key factors that are inhibiting the positive development of Peels children, and then strive to create suitable and sustainable environments that will make a difference". Brenda Smith-Chant noted the project is a truly collaborative university-agency approach that is unique and will ensure that the research is of optimal use for those who develop and modify programs to support families and children as they transition into parenthood.
When the report "Staying ahead of the curve: Peel Public Healths 10-year strategic plan" was released in 2009, it identified early child development as a strategic priority for Peel Public Health. There are 17,000 children born annually in the Region of Peel and while there are a wide variety of support programs delivered, the complexity and diversity of the Peel population presents some unique challenges.
When the report "Staying ahead of the curve: Peel Public Healths 10-year strategic plan" was released in 2009, it identified early child development as a strategic priority for Peel Public Health. There are 17,000 children born annually in the Region of Peel and while there are a wide variety of support programs delivered, the complexity and diversity of the Peel population presents some unique challenges.
The grant includes researchers from several Canadian institutions, including Dr. Stuart Shanker, Director of the Milton and Ethel Harris Research Institute at York University; Canada Research Chairs Dr. Nicole Letourneau, University of New Brunswick; and Dr. Jim Dunn, McMaster University.
Posted on Thursday, March 14, 2013.