SeaStar CYAC

Staying home is an important way to keep us and our communities safe and healthy during COVID-19. Families are dealing with isolation and extra stress right now, and we know these factors can increase the risk of violence and abuse. At the same time, kids are having less contact with teachers and other supportive adults who might usually notice if something is wrong. We can all work together to make sure kids, families, and our communities stay safe and healthy during this unprecedented time.

Colouring pages featuring our Accredited Facility Dog, Dorado are now available! In addition to being fun & relaxing to colour on their own, the illustrations are also good conversation-starters with kids about some of the ways we can take care of ourselves in stressful times – by supporting each other, practicing mindfulness, and getting enough rest.

In particular, we recommend this free webinar series, which features content similar to our workshops: Created by New Directions in association with the Manitoba Trauma Information and Education Centre. This webinar helps participants learn how to use a trauma-informed perspective to better understand the relational, neurobiological and developmental impact of trauma on children and youth. It includes information on understanding the patterns of children’s behaviour, and some practical tools to begin helping children to manage those behaviours. Parent/Caregiver Guide to Helping Families Cope With the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)

By DAWN MORRISION FROM Dalhousie University Faculty of Health News Cynthia Osborne (MSc Occupational Therapy ’19) and Anneke Funk (MSc Occupational Therapy ’19) can point to many highlights from November’s For the Health of It (FTHOI) variety show, which raised an impressive $17,000 for an important local charity. Each School or unit submits a short play or skit explaining their profession in a fun way, and judges determine who brings home the title of Best Overall performance.“This year, Physiotherapy won, ending Occupational Therapy’s two-year streak, but who’s counting!” Other units involved in this year’s event included Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy, School of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Social Work, Nursing, Pharmacy, Health Sciences and the Faculty of Dentistry. By bringing investigation, assessment, and treatment services to one location with professionals who have a trauma-informed lens, SeaStar aims to decrease trauma and improve outcomes for children and youth who may have experienced abuse.“The more we learned about SeaStar and working in close contact with representatives, the more we came to understand the importance of their work, and we became very passionate about the cause,” Anneke said.