London & Region FASD Conference 2023 Committee

Dr. Clare Mitchell, M.D., F.R.C.P.C.

— Core Group Chair / Director

— Clinical Presentations Lead

— Research Member

— Event Host

Dr. Clare Mitchell is an Associate Professor at the Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University in London, Ontario. She is the Head of the Division of Developmental Paediatrics. She is an active teacher in undergraduate medical education and in the postgraduate paediatric residency training program in London. At the Child and Parent Resource Institute (CPRI), Dr. Mitchell completes assessments of children and adolescents with developmental delays and/or mental health problems as part of a multidisciplinary team. Dr. Mitchell works with the London and Waterloo Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Diagnostic Clinics. Other specific interests include Tourette Syndrome, global health, and the effects of early environmental factors on developmental outcomes.

Palmer Taylor, Ph.D. (ABD)

— Event Lead Coordinator

— Graphics Design Member

— Event Host

Palmer Taylor is a Data Planning Analyst at CPRI’s Education and Learning Services team, under the Ontario Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services (MCCSS). He was a research assistant for federally-funded academic projects across six years, including: Indigenous labour relations and Canadian jurisprudence; smart city initiatives in Toronto and the GTA; migration and resilience in York Region; lesbian and gay human rights protections in Canadian and U.S. workplaces; and municipal corporate security across Ontario.

Katharine Moody, B.A., D.S.W.

— Event Lead Deputy Coordinator

— Graphics Design Member

— Workshop Host

Katharine Moody has worked at CPRI initially as a Community Behaviour Consultant, additionally in their Applied Research and Education department, and currently as the Program Lead of CPRI’s Education and Learning Services team.

Tom Ketelaars, C.Y.W.

— Manager of CPRI’s ELS Department, Culture, and Volunteers and Liaison to VOCPRI

Tom Ketelaars is a Sr. Manager in MCCSS of Professional Development and Community Relations within his branch. He previously managed in Applied Research and Education, Education and Learning Services, Tele-Mental Health Services, and Volunteer departments. He also spent six years working as a Child Care Counsellor, primarily with adolescent boys with complex mental health challenges. He has a passion in promoting and training trauma-awareness and trauma-informed leadership and care and has published on this, as well as trained and delivered presentations to thousands of staff and leaders across Ontario and Canada.

Dr. Morgan Kleiber, Ph.D.

— Marketing (Graphics Design) Lead

— Research Co-Lead

— Oral Research Presentations Moderator

Dr. Morgan Kleiber is a researcher whose work focuses on how the genome and environment interact to shape neurodevelopmental programming, brain function, and ultimately behaviour. Her doctoral research at the University of Western Ontario (Cell and Molecular Genetics) contributed to our current understanding of how prenatal alcohol exposure can create a lifelong “footprint” on neural gene regulation that may underlie behaviours observed in individuals with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). Her work as a CIHR postdoctoral fellow at the University of California, San Diego (Departments of Psychiatry and Cell and Molecular Medicine) examined the contributions of rare genetic variants to Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) with a focus on inheritance, behaviour, and personalized medicine. Additionally, Dr. Kleiber is an advocate for science education and mentorship and has won several departmental and faculty teaching awards.

Melissa Moore, S.S.W.

— Research Co-Lead

— Workshop Host

Melissa Moore provides ongoing assessment, advocacy, and consultation to her clients, colleagues, and community partners. She has a strong interest in neurodevelopmental “invisible” disabilities and is aware of the challenges many face due to a lack of diagnosis and/or the limited understanding of those in support positions in their lives. She is responsible for the coordination and case management of all NavOn Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) assessments and assists with capacity building efforts in surrounding communities. She continually advocates for access to assessment and community support and is passionate about lessening the stigma attached to prenatal alcohol exposure when 50% of pregnancies are unplanned and alcohol consumption is a social norm. Despite this, many mothers feel judged, which prevents them from seeking services and interventions for their children that would contribute to an improved quality of life. She continues to expand her knowledge base and has received training in many areas, including human trafficking, youth violence, trauma informed care, resiliency, TAPP-C (arson prevention), sexual behaviour, culture and diversity, and risk needs responsivity. Prior to her move to her full time NavOn role, she was the lead CCM on all Youth Justice (Section 34) assessments for Indigenous youth, youth presenting with sexual behaviour charges, and newcomer youth..

Angela Geddes, C.Y.W., B.A. Psych., M.S.W., R.S.W., Y.T.T.

— Lived Experience Presentations Lead

— Workshop Host

Angela Geddes is a Social Worker with over 25 years of experience supporting individuals in a variety of settings. She is currently in private practice providing education, advocacy, and direct support for individuals and families experiencing complex issues, including the impact of PAE/FASD. Angela is also an active member of the FASD ONE Diagnostic Action Group and involves herself in many different projects aimed at building a more inclusive service delivery system. She has recently authored a book titled, “A Complicated & Beautiful Brain: A Guide to Understanding the Effects of Prenatal Alcohol Exposure (PAE) and what Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) Looks Like Across the Lifespan.”

Dr. Louise A. Scott, Ph.D., C. Psych. Registered Paediatric Neuropsychologist

— Research Member

— Workshop Host

Dr. Louise Scott’s background is in neurosciences and she continues to conduct research into children’s recovery from acquired/traumatic brain injury, and more recently added sleep in FASD as an area of research interest. As a co-author, she has published articles in Brain Injury, Pediatrics, and Sleep Medicine. Her interest in FASD began over 40 years ago and she was part of the first two community Ontario FASD Teams to be trained in Winnipeg. As a licensed paediatric neuropsychologist, she is on more than one community-based FASD Diagnostic Team as well as providing training and assessments within and outside of Ontario and internationally. Dr. Scott’s private practice has continued to grow to the point where at least 90% of the assessments provided fall under FASD. There is a Neurodevelopmental Diagnostic Team within the practice, including Neuropsychology, Speech Language Pathologist, and Social Work. Besides her commitment to the Anishnawbe Health Toronto, Peel, Brant, and formerly to the Waterloo & London FASD Diagnostic Teams, as well as consulting to various local and regional organizations, Dr. Scott has established a very successful training service, both nationally and internationally, to other FASD emerging and operating teams, Child Protection Services, and parent and community groups. Recently, she was part of a volunteer group who designed and created an extensive provincial FASD Team training programme with the support of FASD ONE.

Judy Wright, B.A., D.S.W.

— Lived Experience Presentations Member

— Workshop Host

Judy Wright is a Manager at Children’s Services – Community Services Coordination Network, covering London/Middlesex, Elgin, Oxford, Huron, and Perth. She is also a Manager of FASD Service Coordination, Coordinated Service Planning, and Wraparound.

Annette Blackford

— Lived Experience Presentations Member

— Workshop Host

Annette Blackford is a retired educator with many years of experience in Special Education. Prior to retirement, Annette worked as an educator in the Adoption and Fostering field with an emphasis on FASD awareness. Parenting a teenager with FASD and complex special needs has kept Annette’s passion to keep FASD awareness in the foreground. Retirement years have not slowed Annette down as she maintains an active role on multiple committees in the Oxford/London area with an FASD focus. Life is very busy; add into the mix seven grandchildren to love and adore means there is never a dull moment.