Resources and Opportunities
Research studies currently recruiting participants are shown below, in addition to community health and parenting resources.
Prediction, Prevention & Interventions for Preterm Birth
The P3 Cohort is a research study related to prediction, prevention and interventions for preterm birth (The P3 Cohort). We will be recruiting approximately 4000 women in Calgary to participate in this pregnancy cohort over a 3-year period.
As part of this study, you will be asked to complete questionnaires during and after your pregnancy, which will take approximately 15 to 30 minutes to complete. In appreciation of your time, you will receive a $10 electronic gift card when you complete a questionnaire.
If you have any questions, please contact the P3 Cohort research team at 587-355-2036 or p3cohort@ucalgary.ca. You can find more about this study at www.p3cohort.ca.
Owerko Neurodevelopmental Disorders Recruitment Database
The Owerko Neurodevelopmental Disorders Recruitment Database is a project that recruits children who have been diagnosed, or are being evaluated for, any developmental concern such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism, or developmental delay. The database will be used by researchers to get in contact with families to tell them about studies, and recruit them if the study is of interest to the family. Families/participants who sign up for the recruitment database will not be committed, or obligated to any specific study.
Following this REDCap link will take you to the online survey where you can enter your family’s information. You can then be contacted about different studies that may apply to you. You can visit childdevelopmentresearch.ca/ for more information, and if you have further questions please contact Dr. Kara Murias at 403-441-8411 or kara.murias@ahs.ca.
ChILD Research Group
The ChILD research group is a collective of four University of Calgary psychology labs that conduct research on language and learning. The research group works with children aged 2 months to 14 years, both in-person and online depending on the research study. The research is non-evaluative and non-clinical, it does not assess the skills of individual children. You may contact the study team at child@ucalgary.ca and/or sign-up for their research database here.
Participate in Research at UCalgary
Participate in Research is an initiative led by the Office of the Vice-President (Research) to support UCalgary researchers to recruit participants.
UCalgary scholars conduct research studies and clinical trials in a vast range of disciplines, from MRIs to understand childhood brain development, to online surveys that help understand how people interact on social media.
Depending on the type of study you participate in, you may be involved in a range of activities. In health research, participants may help researchers to understand the effects of new drugs or therapies. In other kinds of research, participation might involve completing questionnaires or interviews, behavioural tasks like physical exercises, or memory and cognitive tasks.
Participating in research at UCalgary is a great opportunity to learn about new technologies, therapies, and ideas. While many projects call for participants who meet certain criteria such as a health condition or lifestyle, many also need healthy or control participants in order to conduct a successful study or trial. Often, siblings or family members join as a control participant when a loved one is participating in a trial. Similarly, individuals who have been impacted by health or other challenges in their life may participate as a way to engage and contribute to research.
Physical Health
Physical movement is important for many components of a child's wellbeing including bone growth and brain development.
Canadian 24 Hour Movement Guidelines
The Canadian 24-hour movement guidelines recommend that children and youth aged 5 to 17 years participate in moderate to vigorous physical activity for at least 60 minutes a day (CSEP link). Adults should participate in at least 150 minutes of moderate to vigorous aerobic activity a week, and muscle strengthening activities at least twice a week (CSEP adults).
Screen Time Guidelines
The Canadian 24-hour movement guidelines recommend no screen time for children under age 2, 1 hour or less a day for children ages 2 to 4, and 2 hours or less a day for children ages 5 to 17. The Healthy Parents Healthy Children and Government of Canada websites include resources to model healthy screen time, and include examples of fun family activities for parents to engage with their children.
City of Calgary Resources
The City of Calgary has numerous recommendations and resources to help families stay active in their communities. The City of Calgary Parks maintains more than 1100 playgrounds and 5600 park sites across the city to facilitate outdoor play year-round. Please visit this link for more information about the parks across the city.
Health Checkups
Physical health includes preventative healthcare including immunizations, dental visits and eye exams. The Healthy Parents Healthy Children website includes information about recommended health checkups for children.
Mental Health
Our brains and bodies are connected, which means mental health impacts physical health and vice versa. When you need support, please reach out to appropriate organizations, communities, family members and/or healthcare providers accordingly.
Wellness Together Canada
Wellness Together Canada includes numerous free resources for adults and children to learn about mental health, and to connect with others who understand in community platforms and/or professional services. The initiative was created in response to a rise in mental health and substance use concerns across Canada since the COVID-19 pandemic.
Kids Help Phone
Kids Help Phone offers free e-mental health services to young people in Canada in both English and French.
Canadian Mental Health Association
The CMHA Calgary builds awareness and provides education and support for individuals and families living with a mental health or substance use concern, and a loss by suicide. The organization offers peer support, counselling, classes and workshops.
Mental Health Resources for Children and Youth
The Luna Child and Youth advocacy centre in Calgary has created a listing of mental health resource links for children and youth, including ConnecTeen, a confidential chat platform for youth in the Calgary area.
Parenting Support and Tips
Government of Alberta parenting support resources, including information about Family Resource Networks that work to help Albertan families become resilient, strong and healthy, to help children and youth reach their fullest potential.
Families Matter
Families Matter works to empower families so that caregivers and children build resilience and thrive. The organization offers numerous parent classes in the Calgary area to create a connected community in which children and families are nurtured and supported to be happy, healthy and resilient.
Parents Canada
Parents Canada offers parenting advice from pregnancy through to school years, including articles related to behaviour, mental health, and parenting strategies.
Family Smart
Family Smart helps children and young people by helping their parents and other caring adults. The organization offers resources, training and parent support groups for parents of kids with mental health and/or substance use challenges. *Peer support services are free.