Grant: Project Grant

Parenting is one of the most important and challenging roles adults take on. When a child has developmental challenges, parenting becomes even more complex and can affect caregivers' health and wellbeing. Supporting caregivers is essential-not just for their own health, but also for the best outcomes for their children. Researchers are now focusing increasingly on family wellbeing and how best to support caregivers of children with developmental concerns and disabilities. In 2018, with support from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, a team of Canadian and Australian family caregivers, healthcare providers, and researchers co-created and evaluated ENVISAGE-Families (ENabling VISions And Growing Expectations), an online five-week early intervention program for family caregivers of children under six with developmental disabilities. Results from 65 caregivers who took part showed significant increases in caregivers' sense of empowerment, parenting confidence, and overall wellbeing and family functioning, with effects continuing at 12 months. In interviews, caregivers reported positive impacts on their thinking about their roles as caregivers and their views of their child. In this proposed new project, using a randomized controlled trial we will test the impact of ENVISAGE-Families with families who are awaiting developmental services (often for months on waitlists). We'll compare those who are randomized to take part in the program right away with those who join later. If successful, ENVISAGE-Families could greatly improve families experience while waiting for developmental services, by helping caregivers to feel more confident, supported, and empowered from the very beginning.