Ottawa Centre for Resilience

07/21/2026

Difficulty with attention is something many families notice early.

It can look different from one child to another - trouble staying with tasks, seeming not to listen, or becoming easily frustrated when things feel effortful.

These patterns are often interpreted as motivation or behaviour, but in many cases, they reflect underlying differences in how a child is processing and managing information.

We’ve put together a brief handout that outlines some of the ways attention related challenges can present, along with practical strategies that can support children at home.

You can find it here:
https://ocfr.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/focus-organization-and-adhd-1.pdf

07/07/2026

Some of the hardest moments for families are when a child is overwhelmed and things escalate quickly.

In those moments, it can be difficult to know how to respond in a way that helps rather than unintentionally intensifies things.

Emotional regulation develops over time, and children often need support from the adults around them to build these skills.

We’ve put together a short handout that outlines how these moments tend to unfold, along with a few practical ways to respond that can help de-escalate and support regulation.

You can find it here:
https://ocfr.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/big-behaviours-big-emotions.pdf

06/16/2026

When sleep is off, everything else tends to get harder.

We often see this with children and youth - mood, anxiety, attention, and behaviour can all become more intense when sleep is disrupted.

At the same time, sleep challenges aren’t always straightforward. It’s not always clear what’s driving them, or where to start.

We’ve put together a brief handout that walks through common patterns and a few practical ways to begin supporting more consistent sleep.

You can find it here:
https://ocfr.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/sleep.pdf

06/02/2026

Many children experience anxiety at different points in development. For some, it can show up as worries, avoidance, difficulty sleeping, or strong reactions to everyday situations.

One of the things parents often ask is: what helps in the moment?

This week, we’re sharing one of our brief handouts: When Worry Takes Over

It outlines:
• Common ways anxiety can present
• How to respond in the moment
• Simple strategies that can help over time

You can access it here:
https://ocfr.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/when-worry-takes-over.pdf

We’ll continue sharing additional resources over the coming weeks.

05/27/2026

We’re turning 10!

This spring makes it 10 years that the Ottawa Centre for Resilience has been fortunate to support children, teens, adults, parents, grandparents, and families in our community with challenges, big and small, towards thriving, connection, and resilience. We have been humbled and honoured to be invited to walk alongside you and share in your journeys.

Thank you for the trust you’ve placed in our team. As a thank you we have developed a set of resources on common challenges that we will be sharing with you over the coming weeks.

04/30/2026

Supporting children’s mental health within African families starts with understanding.

*From Surviving to Thriving*
A free online workshop for parents and caregivers
When: May 30 from 12:00 - 2:00PM

Join OCFR therapist, Ganiyat Zurakat (https://ocfr.ca/team/ganiyat-zurakat/) for a culturally grounded conversation about supporting children and teens - before things reach a crisis point.

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02/17/2026

Long winter days, ongoing stress, and worry can quietly affect sleep. For many children, teens, and adults, sleep changes are one of the first signs that the nervous system is overwhelmed - difficulty falling asleep, waking through the night, or feeling unrested even after a full night.

Sleep is not just about rest. It supports emotional regulation, attention, learning, and resilience.

Small changes in daily habits can make a meaningful difference in how the brain and body settle for sleep.

Here are some simple sleep hygiene practices we often share with families. For those seeking additional support, therapy services are currently available.

02/05/2026

A recent CBC Ottawa story highlighted a group of Black mothers who call themselves “The Supermoms”- women supporting one another while raising children with autism and navigating stigma, isolation, and systemic barriers.

Access to mental health and developmental supports is not experienced equally across communities. Cultural beliefs, fear of judgment, and a lack of culturally responsive services can all delay families from seeking or receiving care, even when needs are significant.

Stories like this underscore why culturally responsive, trauma informed care is not an “add on,” but a core part of ethical and effective practice - particularly for families who have historically faced barriers to access.

In some cultures, autism is seen as a "curse." For these "supermoms" of kids with autism, unlearning the shame and celebrating each other provides life-changing connection.

01/20/2026

In the world of adoption, foster care, and kinship care, there can be a lot of pressure to “get it right.” But the truth is: children don’t need perfection. They need connection. They need you.

At times, all parents feel unsure about what their child is really asking for. That’s normal. And that’s where Circle of Security® Parenting™ (COS‑P) can make a huge difference.

Our Spring 2026 COS‑P group helps caregivers:
- Understand their child’s emotional needs
- Support big feelings with confidence
- Strengthen connection and trust
- Feel more grounded in their caregiving instincts
- PLUS: A bonus session on how trauma impacts development and relationships

For: Adoptive, prospective adoptive, foster, and kinship caregivers
When: online, Mondays, 11:30–1:00 PM
Dates: March 23 – May 18 (9 weeks)
Cost: $999 total
To register, email [email protected]

01/18/2026