British Columbia

Disruption & Transformation

The crisis of the COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted young children and families, as well as all the systems of care and support for them. Compounding this duress have been the effects and threats of climate change, as well as growing awareness of the impact of social, economic and racial inequities. Further, here in BC, there has been acknowledgement of the additional stressors and barriers faced by families with children with complex support needs.

The 2022 Early Years Conference will focus on the theme: Disruption and Transformation to reflect our changed landscapes and systems. Many services have been forced to make radical changes in how they support young children and families. Many are experiencing burnout. But some have also found power in the possibility, leading to innovation, strengthened relationships with children and families, and stronger connections across communities.

Event overview

Join us virtually on March 1 & 2, 2022 for the Early Years Conference 2022: Disruption and Transformation, where we will reflect on and explore the important but delicate relationship between these two forces. We invite those in the early childhood development, intervention and family support fields to attend the Early Years Conference 2022. We will explore the factors impacting children’s development and family support services during this challenging time.

We are pleased to announce the conference keynotes will be provided by Dr. Jennifer Charlesworth, British Columbia’s Representative for Children and Youth, and Dr. Michael Ungar, Canada Research Chair in Child, Family and Community Resilience and Professor of Social Work, Dalhousie University. We look forward to the opportunity to connect their expertise and insight to the conference theme of disruption and transformation.

Please see below for the ‘At a Glance’ Conference Program. The conference program details will be updated as speakers and sessions are confirmed. Conference registration will be launched in November 2022.

Conference Program "At a glance"

Learning Objectives

During the Early Years 2022 Conference, participants can expect to:

• Review the latest evidence-based research and practice related to child development, early childhood intervention, and family support
• Recognize the impact of disorder and disruption on children and families but also those who support them
• Be inspired – to lead, to innovate and to bounce forward
• Build stronger connections with peers and with the children and families they support

Who Should Attend

This conference will be of interest to all those who work with young children and/or families, including:

• Aboriginal/ Indigenous Early Childhood Development Professionals 
• Administrators/Managers
• Advocacy Organizations
• Behavioural Therapists
• Counsellors
• Dietitians and Nutritionists
• Early Childhood Educators
• Education Assistants
• Families
• Family Development Workers
• Family Resource Program Staff
• Government Representatives
• Infant Development Consultants
• Infant Mental Health Professionals
• Nurses 
• Occupational Therapist
• Oral Health Professionals
• Parent Educators 
• Physicians
• Physiotherapists
• Policy Makers
• Pregnancy Outreach Groups
• Program Facilitators
• Psychologists
• Recreation Therapists
• Researchers
• School Administrators
• Social Workers
• Speech Therapists
• Students
• Support Workers
• Supported Child Development Consultants
• Teachers
• Other