When Adolescents with Neurodisabilities Become Adults: Navigating the Abyss and Building Capacity
*This event is open exclusively to faculty and students of the Max Bell School. *
About the speaker
Dr. Lucyna Lach is an associate professor in the School of Social Work and an associate member of the Departments of Pediatrics, Neurology and Neurosurgery, Faculty of Medicine, Ï㽶ÊÓƵ. Her program of research focusses on the well-being of children with neurodisabilities and their caregivers (i.e. caregiver health, and parenting). Dr. Lach's current projects address social determinants of health of children with neurodisabilties. She is co-leading a team of researchers and trainees whose projects have been funded by Kids Brain Health Network (KBHN) and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) to document determinants such as income, service use, educational outcomes, and uptake of income supports such as the Disability Tax Credit using population-based as well as administrative and clinical databases. She is also collaborating with Dr. David Nicholas to increase capacity in navigation systems that support families of children with neurodisabilities in Vancouver, Edmonton and Yellowknife. In addition, she is part of a Strategic Patient-Oriented Research (SPOR) Team entitled CHILDBRIGHT, and is co-leading (along with Dr. Patrick McGrath) development and implementation of a randomized control trial entitled Strongest Families – Neurodevelopment. This project is evaluating a web-based program that combines group coaching and educational modules, with parent-to-parent support for parents whose children have a neurodisability and mental health concerns. Dr. Lach is a peer-reviewer for numerous journals as well as organizations who provide funding in this area of research.
As Associate Dean in the Faculty of Arts (2012-2021), Dr. Lach oversaw the Student Affairs portfolio where she led a number of initiatives to improve support that students receive from their point of entry until graduation. In this role, she provided academic leadership and contributed to various university-wide committees addressing student success and well-being. In the community, Dr. Lach is a member of the CIUSSS Centre-Ouest Board of Directors, the Board of Governors at Centre Miriam, and the Board of Directors of Dans La Rue. Through her research and community engagement, she is committed to improving the lives of children, youth, and their families.
