Family Engagement in Research Training Program

FAMILY ENGAGEMENT IN RESEARCH - TRAINING PROGRAM - "The course was really structured to give you a lot of tools and confidence to be able to do family engagement." - Researcher CanChild McMaster University CIHR IRSC Canadian Institutes of Instituts de recherche kids brain health network réseau pour la santé du cerveau des enfants

FAMILY ENGAGEMENT IN RESEARCH - TRAINING PROGRAM - "This course has been fulfilling in so many ways. I have learned a lot, but it was the conversations and connections that ring true" - Family Member CanChild McMaster University CIHR IRSC Canadian Institutes of Instituts de recherche kids brain health network réseau pour la santé du cerveau des enfants

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

FER Community Update July 2025 8 tools that bring people with lived experience and researchers bring to research. Plus: A recap of FER in Germany 2025 Congratulations to multiple FER grads in our community Upcoming events Our favourite readings and resources we saw this month

What helped you show up prepared, or made you fee more ready to engage in meaningful ways? Comment below!

📰 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

Collage of attendees from the EACD conference who were also graduates of the course.

🇩🇪 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 change to apply for the Fall 2025 FER Course!

📣 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

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👉Learn more: tr.ee/lKU4zw
🔗Apply now: tr.ee/Z1Kj79

@canchild.bsky.social @kidsbrainhealth.bsky.social /2

#specialneeds #medicalmom #disability #parenting #momlife

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!

Amazingly Simple Graphic Design Software – Canva Amazingly Simple Graphic Design Software – Canva

Co-learning in the Family Engagement in Research course strengthens partnerships and builds real-world skills in family engagement.
🔍 Learn more: tr.ee/lKU4zw
📝 Apply now: tr.ee/Z1Kj79
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#specialneeds #medicalmom #disability #parenting #momlife
@canchild.bsky.social

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When we take the time to listen, learn, and truly see their stories, we build a world that respects and includes every voice.
Whether you're a parent, a researcher, a clinician, or a community member, your role in that story matters too.

Let’s partner in research that reflects real lives.
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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

Amazingly Simple Graphic Design Software – Canva Amazingly Simple Graphic Design Software – Canva

Co-learning in this course strengthens partnerships and builds real-world skills in family engagement.
🔍 Learn more: tr.ee/lKU4zw
📝 Apply now: tr.ee/Z1Kj79
@canchild.bsky.social
#research #researcher #healthcare #pediatrics /2

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

participants rated their overall course satisfaction on a scale of 1 to 10, with an average score of 8.6.

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 our experience of partnering in research: Youth and trainee perspectives. By Brian Xiao, Danielle DuPlessis, Josh Shore

It’s a candid, encouraging read for anyone committed to more equitable and impactful research partnerships. /3
open.substack.com/pub/familyen...
open.substack.com/pub/familyen...

Reflecting on our experience of partnering in research: Youth and trainee perspectives. By Brian Xiao, Danielle DuPlessis, Josh Shore

to navigating real‑world challenges and hard‑won insights. Along the way, they highlight what worked (and what didn’t), the value of mutual respect, and key lessons about how to make family–researcher collaborations truly meaningful. /2

Reflecting on our experience of partnering in research: Youth and trainee perspectives. By Brian Xiao, Danielle DuPlessis, Josh Shore

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

participants rated their overall course satisfaction on a scale of 1 to 10, with an average score of 8.6.

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

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, "

From course highlights to community celebrations, resources, and upcoming opportunities—there’s something for everyone.
📬 Read it here: myemail.constantcontact.com/FER-Communit...
🔗 Learn more about our program at ferprogram.ca /2

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, "

📰 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

🎉 Applications are OPEN for the Family Engagement in Research Course!


🗓️ Fall 2025: Sept 15 – Nov 23

🗓️ Winter 2026: Jan 19 – Mar 29

💻 All online.
👉Link in bio for more information /2
@canchild.bsky.social

#parenting

Our values Authenticity: We build and foster trusting relationships Inclusivity: We foster co-learning in supportive environments Collaboration: We effectively work together for change Mutual Respect: We celebrate all knowing and experience At the Family Engagement in Research (FER) Course, our work is grounded in four core values: 

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

🗓️ Fall 2025: Sept 15 – Nov 23

🗓️ Winter 2026: Jan 19 – Mar 29

💻 All online.
👉Link in bio for more information
#education #thesis #science #dissertation #university
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"I now feel better equipped to work alongside parents as research partners." -Researcher Graduate

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

​Stories from researchers and families
Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals and discover how you can make an impact through training with the FER program.
Brought to you by CanChild, McMaster University, and Kids Brain Health Network.
📩 RSVP now: Link in bio! /3

Whether you’re a researcher, family member, or community partner, this event is for you!
📅 When: Wed June 18 at 7:30-8:30pm ET and again Tues June 24 at 12-1pm ET
📍 Where: Virtual via Zoom
✨ What to Expect:
Insights into the FER course
​Interactive Q&A session

The Family Engagement in Research (FER) Course Spring OPEN HOUSE Thinking about taking the FER Course? Not sure what it's really about? Have questions for us? Wed June 18, 7:30-8:30pm ET Tues June 24, 12-1pm ET Online via Zoom Registration link in bio Can't make it? Connect offline fer@mcmaster.ca ferprogram.ca

🌟 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

You are up next!
🎉 Applications are OPEN for the Family Engagement in Research Course!
🗓️ Fall 2025: Sept 15 – Nov 23
🗓️ Winter 2026: Jan 19 – Mar 29
💻 All online.
👉Link in bio for more information
#familyengagenent
#FERCourse
#consumerinvolvement
#PPI
@canchild.bsky.social
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23 countries Map with pins. 713 grads. Join us! Application now open!

Learn more about the FER Course! Ferprogram.ca fer@mcmaster.ca @ferprogram (Instagram)

🌍 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
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🗓️ Fall 2025: Sept 15 – Nov 23

🗓️ Winter 2026: Jan 19 – Mar 29

💻 All online!
👉Linktree for more information:
linktr.ee/familyengage... /2

Our vision is to transform the culture and practice of family engagement in health research and health care.

🌟 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