Critical Hours Training Conference 2024

OCYI’s Critical Hours Task Group (CHTG) is pleased to host its annual in-person training conference for critical hours staff on Tuesday, November 26, 2024! Registration is now open. Please find details below and send any questions to info@growingupgreat.ca.

 

Theme: Inclusive and Supportive Spaces for All

 

Who: This event is for frontline staff at before/after school programs, recreation programs, homework clubs or tutoring programs, youth drop-in programs, or other programs supporting kids and youth ages 6+!

 

What: A day of professional development training for frontline staff of critical hours programs. The day starts off with an open networking session where participants will be able to connect with others around topics of interest.  This will be followed by two workshop blocks, with an emphasis on the theme of safe and supportive spaces. The workshop blocks will feature concurrent sessions for participants to choose from. List of sessions with descriptions are below. Lunch is included. Most workshops will be in English, however there are French options as well.

 

When: Tuesday, November 26, 2024, welcome and refreshments begin at 8:30am with the last workshop wrapping up at 2:00pm.

• Registration and Refreshments: 8:30 - 9:00am
• Welcome: 9:00 - 9:15am
• Open Networking Session: 9:15 - 9:50am
• Workshop Session 1: 10:00 – 11:30am
• Lunch: 11:30 am to 12:30pm
• Workshop Session 2: 12:30 - 2:00pm

We will also start the day with an open networking exercise and have tables for attendees to bring promotional materials from their organizations – so please be sure to bring some to share! 

 

Where: in-person at the Richelieu-Vanier Community Centre, 300 des Pères-Blancs Avenue, Ottawa ON K1L 7L5

 

Why: This is a chance for staff from across Ottawa to come together and learn together.

 

How: Register by Tuesday, November 19 at 5 PM. Thanks to our generous funders, this conference is at no cost to attendees! 

 

Additionally, we’re able to offer staff support funds to increase the accessibility of the conference for organizations who may need to cover staff time or supply staff. You can apply for staff support funds when completing the registration form.

All participants will attend the welcome, and then choose workshops for the morning session and afternoon session. Most workshops will be in English, however there are French options as well. Register at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/CHTrainingConference2024

 

Welcome and Networking: 9:00 – 10:00 am

 

Morning Workshops: 10:00 - 11:30 am

 

Building Inclusive, Neurodiverse-Friendly Programs: Moving to Proactive Supports Kim Moore and Samantha Matthews, Aspire Academy

 

Description: Explore practical, positive approaches to fostering inclusive spaces that empower neurodiverse children to thrive. Learn how to implement proactive, supportive strategies that enhance program inclusivity and compassion. (English)

 

Learning Outcomes:

• Understanding neurodiversity in child and youth programs.
• Gaining skills to replace traditional disciplinary methods with inclusive, positive reinforcement techniques.
• Learning to modify environments to better support neurodiverse children, promoting safety and engagement for all participants.

Créer des programmes inclusifs et adaptés à la diversité neurologique : passer à des soutiens proactifs Naomi Abbey, Aspire Academy: Explorez des approches pratiques et positives pour favoriser des espaces inclusifs qui permettent aux enfants neurodiversifiés de s'épanouir. Apprenez à mettre en œuvre des stratégies proactives et solidaires qui améliorent l'inclusivité et la compassion des programmes. (Français)

 

Résultats d'apprentissage :

•  Comprendre la neurodiversité dans les programmes destinés aux enfants et aux jeunes.
•  Acquérir des compétences pour remplacer les méthods disciplinaires traditionnelles par des techniques de renforcement inclusif et positif.
• Apprendre à modifier les environnements pour mieux soutenir les enfants neurodiversifiés, en favorisant la sécurité et l'engagement de tous les participants.

Caring for Young Grievers Roger Neilson Children's Hospice

Description: If you care for or work with a young person trying to cope with the death of a sibling, parent, or any other person close to them, this workshop is here to help you help them. Caring for Young Grievers assists and equips parents, caregivers, educators, counsellors and other professionals to support grieving young people. Your role as a caring, consistent, and trusted adult can be one of the most effective supports in a young person’s deeply personal journey with grief. (English)

 

Incorporating Art in Critical Hours Programming Ayo Ojo, BGCO

Description: Exploring the benefits of including art in your critical hours programs. Practical tips on how to incorporate different artistic disciplines to support the development of children and provide opportunities for cultural exploration and expression. (English)

 

Lunch with Networking Tables: 11:30am – 12:30pm

 

Afternoon Workshops: 12:30 - 2:00pm

 

Understanding Trauma: Shifting from Behavioral Management to Relational Healing for Children and Youth Mandi Pekan

 

Description: This workshop explores why traditional behavioral management approaches often fail to support children who have experienced toxic stress and trauma. Drawing on concepts from Polyvagal Theory, participants will learn how trauma impacts children’s nervous systems and drives challenging behaviors as instinctual protective responses. The session will advocate for shifting from behavior-focused interventions to approaches that emphasize relational safety, compassion, and understanding, highlighting the critical role of community workers in helping children rebuild trust and resilience. Through real-life examples and the latest research, this workshop aims to provide practical tools for creating healing environments that prioritize connection over behavioural compliance. (English)

 

Incorporating Numeracy and Literacy in Critical Hours Programming Jade Odiase, Ottawa Coalition of Community Houses

 

Description: Exploring fun and educational ways to incorporate numeracy and literacy into programming to support academic achievement and self-confidence in children.  Participants will engage in discussions and experiential learning activities and leave with resources for program development and assessment. (English)

 

Micro Workshop Series

 

Description: A series of micro workshops addressing current trends for children and youth.

• Human Trafficking – YouTurn (English & French)
• Digital Wellness – YouthNet: We live so much of our lives online and on our devices, so let’s explore our relationship with technology and how it impacts our mental health (for better and for worse!). You’ll also walk away from this workshop with some helpful tips, self-care tools and resources to find balance in our digital world. Note: This workshop is designed for youth in high school.

Hosted by the Critical Hours Task Group of the Ottawa Child & Youth Initiative, which is composed of staff from over a dozen critical hours programs in Ottawa. Learn more about the task group here.

 

The training conference is supported by the following organizations who have provided funding or in-kind services:

• City of Ottawa — Recreation, Cultural, and Facility Services
• The Ottawa Community Foundation
• United Way East Ontario