Join us in the heart of Waterloo Region, a thriving hub for innovation, for a conference that blends cutting-edge ideas with a focus on empathy and care. Hosted by Grand River Hospital, a proud partner of Ontario Network of Child and Adolescent Inpatient Psychiatry Services (ONCAIPS), this event highlights the power of thoughtful innovation in improving mental health outcomes.
Discover how ONCAIPS network is shaping the future of child and adolescent mental health care across Ontario. Through inspiring talks, collaborative sessions, and a community of changemakers, we’ll explore how innovative solutions can create a brighter future for young people.
Be part of the movement—where innovation meets care, and together, we drive meaningful change for Ontario’s children, teens, and families.
DAY 1 | Thursday, March 20, 2025
12:00 PM: Arrival and Registration
12:15 PM: Land Acknowledgement: Brittany Leybourne, CYW, CAIP, Welcome and Opening Remarks: Sarah Kernaghan, Clinical Manager, Child and Adolescent Program, Grand River
12:30 PM: Session 1: Leading Cultural Transformation: Fostering Change and Innovation: Dr. Kernaghan, MD
1:30 PM: Session 2: Mental Health Promotion, Prevention and Early Intervention in Schools: Heather Carter and Hoshana Calliste, School Mental Health Ontario
2:30 PM Afternoon Break
2:45 PM: Session 3: Adolescents’ Media Use and Mental health: Jasmine Zhang, Ph.D. Candidate Clinical Psychology
3:45 PM: Session 4: Children’s Mental Health Treatment Simulation: Laura Charteris MSW, RSW
4:30 PM: Day 1 Wrap Up and Invite to networking dinner at Proof Kitchen + Lounge (separate ticket must be reserved for dinner).
DAY 2 | Friday, March 21, 2025
9:00 AM: Arrival and Registration
9:15 AM: Land Acknowledgement: Brittany Leybourne, CYW, CAIP, Welcome and Opening Remarks: Sarah Kernaghan, Clinical Manager, Child and Adolescent Program, Grand River
9:30 AM: Session 5: Awareness and Healing Properties of Ketamine: Dr. Jay Kothari, MD
10:45 AM: Morning Break
11:00 AM: Session 6: Supporting Youth with Concurrent Disorders: Kate Scott MSW, RSW, Ph.D. Candidate Social Work
12:00 PM: Lunch Break
1:00 PM: Session 7: Dyadic Emotion-Focused Therapy for Youth: Sarena Daljeet, Ph.D. Candidate Clinical Psychology
2:00 PM: Session 8: Community and Youth Engagement: Constable Jason Gamble, Waterloo Regional Police Services
3:00 PM: Afternoon Break
3:15 PM: Session 9: Panel Discussion: Innovation & Inspiration in Waterloo Wellington: Alyssa Iannetti, CYW
4:15 PM: Closing Remarks: Mental Health and Addictions Program Director, Christine McLellan
4:30 PM: Day 2 Wrap Up and Thank You!
Looking for accommodations? Book at Delta Hotels Waterloo.
Join us for a vibrant networking dinner at Proof Kitchen + Lounge, where you can connect with fellow attendees in a relaxed and dynamic atmosphere. Enjoy a delicious selection of dishes while engaging in meaningful conversations that foster collaboration and new opportunities. Please note that a separate ticket must be reserved for this exclusive dinner event.
The speakers at the 2025 ONCAIPS Conference are sure to impress! With a lineup of industry leaders, experts, and innovators, each session promises to deliver valuable insights, inspiring ideas, and cutting-edge knowledge. Prepare to be captivated and motivated by their expertise, as they share their passion and vision for the future. This is an exceptional opportunity to learn from the best in the field!
Heidi Murphy-Veilleux is a Registered Nurse and the Education Practice Lead for the Mental Health & Addictions Program at Grand River Hospital. With extensive experience in child, adolescent, and adult psychiatry, she develops and leads education programs to enhance patient care and staff competency. Heidi also serves as a Clinical Instructor for the Conestoga-McMaster BScN Program, focusing on trauma-informed care and clinical reasoning. She holds certifications in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Indigenous Cultural Safety, and suicide prevention, and is pursuing a Master of Nursing at the University of Calgary with specializations in teaching innovations and health system leadership.
Brittany Leybourne is a Child and Youth Worker with five years of experience on Grand River Hospital’s Child and Adolescent Inpatient Psychiatry unit. Before working on CAIP, she worked in group homes supporting dual-diagnosed youth, many of which had been diagnosed with FASD, ADHD, and ASD. Being Ojibwe and a new member of the Indigenous Employee Circle at Grand River Hospital, Brittany brings a unique understanding of generational trauma and family dynamics to her practice. Through her experience, personal history, and passion for arts, Brittany believes in fostering a safe, inclusive, and creative environment where all youth can thrive.
Sarah Kernaghan is the Clinical Manager of the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Programs at Grand River Hospital, where she brings years of nursing and leadership experience in mental health care and a commitment to trauma-informed practices. Her leadership style is rooted in strength-based approaches that empower her team and foster positive change.
Sarah is passionate about creating an environment where open, crucial conversations drive not only organizational improvements but also exceptional care for patients and their families. Her leadership philosophy emphasizes collaboration, accountability, and the importance of understanding the unique needs of each individual. Through her years of experience, she has built a reputation for guiding her team with compassion, strategic insight, and a relentless dedication to mental health advocacy. Sarah is determined to care well for the team that cares so well for the patients. “We do it for the children!”
Dr. Gillian Kernaghan is an experienced executive healthcare Leader, serving as the President and Chief Executive Officer of St. Joseph's Health Care London (St. Joseph’s) from 2010 to 2021. St. Joseph’s is a multi-sited, academic health care organization serving London and Southwestern Ontario region. Her passion for integrated patient care, leadership and performance excellence inspired the organization to focus on the vision to “earn complete confidence in the care we provide.”
Heather is a Co-Lead for System Collaboration and Partnerships and an Implementation Coach with School Mental Health Ontario. Trained as a Social Worker, Psychotherapist and Clinical Supervisor, Heather has worked in public education supporting school mental health as a School Social Worker, Mental Health Lead, and Social Work Manager in several communities in southern Ontario. Heather has a passion for supporting the work of schools and communities to work together to create accessible, identity affirming and quality mental health care for Ontario's students. Strengthening relationships within schools, broader communities and organizations surrounding students, families and caregivers, is a core tenant of her work.
Hoshana is the Co-Lead for the Prevention and Early Intervention Team with School Mental Health Ontario and serves as a seconded Coordinator of Mental Health from York Region District School Board. As a Registered Social Worker, she brings extensive experience in delivering evidence-informed, culturally responsive mental health services within school-based settings. Hoshana is deeply committed to creating inclusive, supportive environments for students, drawing on her expertise to implement strategies that address diverse needs and promote positive mental health outcomes.
Jasmine is a third-year Ph.D. student in Clinical Psychology at the University of Waterloo. Her research examines the impacts of digital media use on the well-being of children, youth, and caregivers through a family-wide lens. In 2024, Jasmine joined the inaugural cohort of Impact Fellows at the Children and Screens Institute of Digital Media and Child Development. She completed clinical training in providing psychoeducational assessment and intervention services in school, community, and health settings. Before her doctoral studies, she received her Bachelor of Science (Honours Psychology, Neuroscience and Behaviour) from McMaster University in 2020 and her Master of Arts (Clinical Psychology) from the University of Waterloo in 2022.
Born and raised in Kitchener, Laura completed her education locally at Wilfrid Laurier University, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Youth and Children's Studies before pursuing a Master of Social Work (MSW). Before her MSW, Laura gained valuable experience working with children and youth in a school board setting. Since May 2023, she was employed as a registered social worker at Grand River Hospital for Child and Adolescent Inpatient Psychiatry (CAIP). She is passionate about collaborating with local community partners to provide wraparound support for youth, ensuring they have access to the resources and care needed to thrive.
Dr. Kothari, born in Mumbai, India, earned his medical degree in Russia and completed a Psychiatry residency at Yale University, specializing in Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) and ketamine therapies. He pursued a fellowship in Child & Adolescent Psychiatry and Integrative Medicine at the University of Arizona and applies integrative medicine in his practice. At Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU), he established the first ketamine clinic for treatment-resistant suicidality, depression, and obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD). While working at Grand River Hospital, he also teaches child psychopharmacology to OHSU fellows.
Kate Scott, a social worker and Concurrent Disorders Specialist with Grand River Hospital's Assertive Community Treatment Team, is a first-year PhD student at the University of Windsor. Her research focuses on concurrent disorders, acute mental health admissions, and involuntary addiction treatment's ethical and practical implications. With experience in substance use support and community interventions, Kate aims to improve care for those affected by addiction amid the toxic drug crisis. Her work is guided by her lived experience and professional background in addiction and mental health programs.
Sarena Daljeet, a 4th-year Clinical Psychology Ph.D. candidate at the University of Waterloo, provides therapy and assessment services for children and adolescents, emphasizing caregiver collaboration. Passionate about clinical teaching and supervision, her research explores how psychotherapy fosters change, focusing on the client-therapist relationship and emotional processing. She is currently conducting a trial on emotion-focused therapy for youth and caregivers and analyzing adult psychotherapy videos to study elements of change.
Alyssa Iannetti, a Child and Youth Care professional with over 13 years of experience, holds an Advanced Diploma from Mohawk College (2012). She has worked in group homes, youth justice, special needs programs, and foster care, focusing on vulnerable populations. Certified in Trauma-Informed Care, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Care, ASIST, and more, she continually updates her mental health expertise. For the past six years, Alyssa has been with Grand River Hospital's Child and Adolescent Inpatient Psychiatry unit, supporting youth in crisis and leading therapeutic groups.
Jason’s journey into service began with a passion for social work, initially impacting lives by running summer programs for youth through the Association for Community Living and later helping individuals reintegrate into the community with the Canadian Mental Health Association’s Centre of Friends in North Bay. Volunteering in various capacities deepened his desire to uplift others, which ultimately led him to his true calling in policing in 2006, when he joined the Waterloo Regional Police Service. Over his career, Jason has twice received the Citation of Commendation: once for preventing a young person from jumping off a highway overpass and another for intervening in a critical incident involving a mentally ill individual. In 2017, after years of trauma exposure, he was diagnosed with complex post-traumatic stress disorder (C-PTSD), an experience that inspired him to advocate for mental health awareness by speaking at public forums like the University of Waterloo and promoting honest discussions about the intersection of policing and mental health. Beyond his duties as a police officer, Jason’s commitment to community shines through his work with the Community and Youth Engagement Unit and the Waterloo Region Connectivity Table, where he focuses on supporting at-risk youth. By openly sharing his journey of resilience, compassion, and vulnerability, Jason inspires others to embrace understanding and strength in the face of challenges.
Christine McLellan is a dynamic and visionary healthcare leader, currently serving as the Program Director for Mental Health and Addictions at Grand River Hospital (GRH) in Kitchener, Ontario. With a passion for transforming mental health and addiction services, she brings a wealth of experience, strategic insight, and a deep commitment to patient-centered care.
Christine holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN) from the University of Toronto and a Master’s in Healthcare Administration from the University of Regina. Her expertise spans clinical leadership, system integration, and the development of innovative care models that improve access and outcomes for individuals facing mental health and addiction challenges.
At GRH, Christine leads a comprehensive portfolio of services designed to foster recovery and well-being. She is a champion of collaborative partnerships, working closely with community organizations to bridge gaps in care and enhance service delivery.
Christine’s dedication and impact have earned her well-deserved recognition, including the Stonehenge Community Partner Award in 2018, which honored her leadership in strengthening local care pathways and fostering meaningful partnerships.
With a steadfast commitment to innovation, collaboration, and excellence in healthcare, Christine continues to drive positive change—helping shape a more responsive and compassionate mental health and addiction care system for the communities she serves.
Thank you to our sponsors! Your support makes everything we do possible.
We are deeply grateful to our sponsors for their generous support. Your contributions help us make a difference by supporting Innovation in Youth Mental Health Care. Together, we are creating a brighter future.
