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Community Health Systems Resource Group

Teach ADHD

Brief Biography

Dr. Bruce Ferguson is the Director of the Community Health Systems Resource Group at The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids). He is also a Professor of Psychiatry, Psychology and the Dalla Lana School of Public Health at the University of Toronto and has been a Visiting Scientist at the Biological Psychiatry Branch of the National Institute of Mental Health in the United States. He taught psychology at Carleton University before moving to the health care system at the Royal Ottawa Hospital and the Clarke Institute of Psychiatry. Dr. Ferguson received his doctorate in Psychology at Monash University in Melbourne, Australia. 

Dr. Ferguson works to build networks and improve systems of care and support for children and families. He is an advocate for children and youth, particularly those marginalized by race, poverty, gender, region or ethnicity. He created the Community Health Systems Resource Group (CHSRG) in an effort to advocate for the implementation of evidence-based interventions and standardized outcome measurement in health, mental health, social services and education, and to promote and facilitate integration and collaboration in service delivery. Dr. Ferguson and his multidisciplinary team of health systems scientists work to coordinate their research to provide outreach and improve the well-being and mental health of children. The goals of the organization exemplify Dr. Ferguson's own vision: To promote success in children and youth by considering all factors essential to well-being including health, home life, school, community life and peer relationships.

In his research, policy development and advocacy, Dr. Ferguson works with people across many cultures and backgrounds, including Native and francophone populations. A passionate mentor and collaborator, he networks with researchers and students across Canada, including northern Ontario and Laurentian University. He is a member of  the Learning to 18 Policy Working Group with the Ministry of Education, and the Minister's Advisory Group on Mental Health and Addictions Strategy with the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care. He also sits on the Advisory Council of the Provincial Centre of Excellence for Child and Youth. Dr. Ferguson has been honoured by many organizations for his leadership in child and youth mental health and has been recently awarded an honourary doctorate of letters degree by Laurentian University.

Research Interests

• Children's mental health
• Health systems research
• Knowledge translation and exchange
• Service system implementation of evidence-based practice
• Organizational and practice change
• Community intervention and prevention programs
• School disengagement and early school leaving
• Externalizing disorders of childhood and antisocial youth

Research Activities

Dr. Ferguson recently led a landmark study of early school leavers for the Ontario Ministry of Education. The results of this study are having a significant impact on policy to improve high school retention and graduation rates. Since then he has worked with the Ministry on the Learning to 18 and Student Success programs. Currently, his team is conducting a study on the transition from grade eight through grades nine and 10 with the goal of similarly influencing provincial policy to make this transition more successful for students. He is also studying the implementation of changes in classroom instruction to foster academic success in ADHD students.

Professional Leadership

• Co-Chair, Sparrow Lake Alliance (2000-2005)
• Vice President & Director of Education, Clarke Institute of Psychiatry (1994-1997)
• Head, Department of Psychology, Clarke Institute of Psychiatry (1992-1994)
• President, Ontario Hospital Chief Psychologists Association (1989-91, 1993-94)
• Director, Department of Psychology, Royal Ottawa Hospital (1988-1992)

Committees

• Member, Steering Committee, Prevention and Early Intervention Project, Learning Disabilities Association of Ontario (2006-present)
• Member, Learning to 18 Policy Roundtable, Ontario Ministry of Education (2005-present)
• Member, Provincial Depression Strategy Advisory Committee, Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (2005-present)
• Member, Advisory Council, Provincial Centre of Excellence in Child and Youth Mental Health at CHEO (2004-present)
• Member, Coordinated Services Advisory Committee, Ontario Ministry of Education, Special Education Policy and Programs Branch (2002-present)
• Member, Steering Committee, National Children's Alliance (2003-2007)
• Task Force Member, Toronto District Health Council: Addiction Treatment Services Planning Project (2003-2004)
• Member, Working Group, Centre of Excellence in Children's Mental Health at CHEO, Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care and Ministry of Community, Family & Children's Services (2003-2004)
• Steering Committee Member, Taking Toronto’s Vital Signs (2001-2003)
• Member, Community Social Planning Council of Toronto: Best Practices Resource Group (1998-2000)

External Funding

• Canadian Health Services Research Foundation
• Canadian Institutes of Health Research
• National Institutes of Health
• Ontario Mental Health Foundation
• Ontario Ministry of Children and Youth Services
• Ontario Ministry of Education

Achievements

• Doctor of Letters, Honourary Degree, Laurentian University (2009)
• Sparrow Award, Outstanding Contribution to Improving the Lives of Children and Youth in Ontario, Sparrow Lake Alliance (2006)

Publications

Tilleczek, K., Ferguson, H.B., Boydell, K.M., & Rummens, J.A. (in press). Early school leaving: Understanding the lived realities of disengagement from secondary school. Canadian Journal of Education.

Tilleczek, K., Ferguson, H.B., Roth Edney, D., Rummens, J.A., Boydell, K.M., & Mueller, M.P. (2008). Reconsidering school disengagement: A sociological view from the margins. Tilleczek, K. (Ed). Why Do Students Drop Out of High School? Narrative Studies and Social Critiques. New York: Edwin Mellen Press. 3-33.

Rummens, J.A., Tilleczek, K., Boydell, K.M., & Ferguson, H.B. (2008). Understanding and addressing early school leaving among immigrant and refugee youth. Tilleczek, K . (Ed). Why Do Students Drop Out of High School? Narrative Studies and Social Critiques. New York: Edwin Mellen Press. 75-100.

Tilleczek, K., Ferguson, H.B., Roth Edney, D., Rummens, J.A., & Boydell, K.M. (2008). A critical review of initiatives to redress youth and school disengagement. Tilleczek, K. (Ed). Why Do Students Drop Out of High School? Narrative Studies and Social Critiques. New York: Edwin Mellen Press. 189-206.

Barwick, M.A., Boydell, K.M., Stasiulis, E., Ferguson, H.B., Blasé, K. and Fixen, D. (2008). Research utilization among executive directors and practitioners in children’s mental health. Implementation Science. 3:19.

Barwick, M.A., Vlad, C., Shirazi, B., Urajnik, D., Basnett, D., Ferguson, H.B. (2007). Ontario’s children with mental health needs 2006 report: Level of functioning outcomes for children and youth receiving mental health treatment. Toronto, ON: The Hospital for Sick Children.

Ferguson, H.B., Bovaird, S. & Mueller, M.P. (2007). The impact of poverty on educational outcomes for children. Paediatrics & Child Health, 12, 701-706.

Mueller, M.P., Bovaird, S., Tilleczek, K., & Ferguson, B. (2007). Grade eight to nine transition planning initiative evaluation. Toronto, ON: Ontario Ministry of Education.

Tilleczek, K., Ferguson, H.B., Rummens, J.A., & Boydell, K.M. (2006). How do youth leave school? Current lessons from youth who know. Education Canada, 46 (4), 19-22.

Barwick, M.A., Vlad, C., Shirazi, B., Urajnik, D., Basnett, D., & Ferguson, H.B. (2006). Ontario’s children with mental health needs 2005 report: Level of functioning outcomes for children and youth receiving mental health treatment. Toronto, ON: The Hospital for Sick Children.

Barwick, M.A.., Boydell, K.M., Basnett, D., O'Hara, B., Ferguson, H.B., Haines, R. (2006). Using knowledge translation for practice change in children's mental health. CIHR Institute of Health Services and Policy Research. Evidence in Action, Acting on Evidence: A Casebook of Health Services and Policy Research Knowledge Translation Stories. Ottawa: Canadian Institutes of Health Research.

Boydell, K.M., Barwick, M.A., Ferguson, H.B. & Haines, R. (2005). A feasibility study to assess service provider perspectives regarding use of the Child and Adolescent Functional Assessment Scale in Ontario. Journal of Behavioral Health Services & Research, 31(1), 105-110.

Boydell, K.M., Barwick, M.A., Ferguson, H.B. & Haines, R. (2005). Implementation of the Child and Adolescent Functional Assessment Scale in a provincial mental health system: A feasibility study to assess service provider perspectives. Journal of Behavioral Health Services & Research. 32(1):105-109.

Barwick, M.A., Boydell, K.M., Stasiulis, E., Ferguson, H.B., Blase, K., Fixsen, D. (2005). Knowledge transfer and evidence-based practice in children's mental health. Toronto, ON: Children's Mental Health Ontario.

Barwick, M.A., Vlad, C., Shirazi, B., Urajnik, D., Basnett, D., Ferguson, H.B. (2005). Ontario’s children with mental health needs 2004 report: Level of functioning outcomes for children and youth receiving mental health treatment. Toronto, ON: The Hospital for Sick Children.

Ferguson, H.B., Tilleczek, K., Boydell, K.M., & Rummens, J.A. (2005). The lived experience of early school leaving. Toronto, ON: Ontario Ministry of Education.

Barwick, M.A., Boydell, K.M., Cunningham, C.E., & Ferguson, H.B. (2004). Overview of Ontario’s screening and outcome measurement initiative in children’s mental health. Canadian Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Review, 13(4), 105-109.

Barwick, M.A., Ferguson, H.B., & Schmidt, J. (2004). Development of clinical guidelines for rating the CAFAS with first nations children and youth. C. Newman, C. Liberton, K. Kutash, & R.M. Friedman (Eds.). The 16th Annual Research Conference Proceedings, A System of Care for Children’s Mental Health: Expanding the Research Base (pp. 375-378). Tampa: University of South Florida, The Louis de la Parte Florida Mental Health Institute, Research and Training Center for Children’s Mental Health.

Roth Edney, D., Ferguson, H.B., Tilleczek, K., Boydell, K.M., Rummens, J.A. (2004). Socio-demographic characteristics associated with early school leaving: A literature review. Toronto, ON: Ontario Ministry of Education.

Roth Edney, D., Ferguson, H.B., Tilleczek, K., Boydell, K.M., Rummens, J.A. (2004). Early school leaving prevention and intervention strategies: A literature review. Toronto, ON: Ontario Ministry of Education.

Barwick, M.A., Boydell, K.M., Ferguson, H.B., Cunningham, C.E., Greer, A., Everett, B., Sklar, S., & Weinstock, S. (2003). A knowledge transfer infrastructure for screening and outcome measurement in children’s mental health. C. Newman, C. Liberton, K. Kutash, & R.M. Friedman (Eds.), The 15th Annual Research Conference Proceedings, A System of Care for Children’s Mental Health: Expanding the Research Base (pp.435-440). Tampa: University of South Florida, The Louis de la Parte Florida Mental Health Institute, Research and Training Center for Children’s Mental Health.

Barwick, M.A., Boydell, K.M., Ferguson, H.B., & Cunningham, C.E. (2003). Ontario’s screening and outcome assessment initiative: Lessons in implementation and organizational change. C. Newman, C. Liberton, K. Kutash, & R.M. Friedman (Eds.), The 15th Annual Research Conference Proceedings, A System of Care for Children’s Mental Health: Expanding the Research Base (pp. 403-407). Tampa: University of South Florida, The Louis de la Parte Florida Mental Health Institute, Research and Training Center for Children’s Mental Health.

Boydell, K.M, Levy, M., McClure, G., Ferguson, H.B., George, C., & Fainer, C. (2002). Functional outcome and service use of youth admitted and not admitted to an adolescent crisis unit. C. Newman, C. Liberton, K. Kutash, & R.M. Friedman (Eds.), The 14th Annual Research Conference Proceedings, A System of Care for Children’s Mental Health: Expanding the Research Base (pp.333-338). Tampa: University of South Florida, The Louis de la Parte Florida Mental Health Institute, Research and Training Center for Children’s Mental Health.

Boydell, K.M, Barwick, M.A., Ferguson, H.B., & Haines, R. (2002). Implementation of the Child and Adolescent Functional Assessment Scale: Service provider perspectives. C. Newman, C. Liberton, K. Kutash, & R.M. Friedman (Eds.), The 14th Annual Research Conference Proceedings, A System of Care for Children’s Mental Health: Expanding the Research Base (pp.367-369). Tampa: University of South Florida, The Louis de la Parte Florida Mental Health Institute, Research and Training Center for Children’s Mental Health.

Wolkow, K.E., & Ferguson, H.B. (2001). Community factors in the development of resiliency: Considerations and future directions. Community Mental Health Journal. 37(6): 489-498.

Simeon, J.G. & Ferguson, H.B. (Eds.) (1990). Treatment strategies in child and adolescent psychiatry. New York: Plenum Publishing Corporation. 

Invited Presentations

Ferguson, H.B. Are more kids troubled? Keynote presentation at the Canadian Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry's 29th Annual Meeting. Toronto, ON, November 12-14, 2009.

Ferguson, H.B. Engaged relationships: How we build resilience and character in youth. Presentation at the Probation Officers Association of Ontario's 55th Annual Symposium: Serving Communities, Supporting You and Empowering our Profession. Toronto, ON, November 2, 2009.

Ferguson, H.B. Healthy schools - Healthy learners. Presentation to the Ontario Association for the Supervision of Physical and Health Education. Toronto, ON, January, 2008.

Ferguson, H.B. Increased engagement in school and learning. Presentation at the Children and Youth Leadership Symposium, United Way/Centraide Ottawa, Children and Youth Impact Council in Partnership with the Children's Aid Society of Ottawa. Ottawa, ON, October, 2007.

Ferguson, H.B. Making our children and youth successful. Presentation to the Human Development and Applied Psychology Department, University of Toronto. Toronto, ON, October, 2007.

Ferguson, H.B. Schools that make our kids successful. Presentation at the 16th National Conference on Learning Disabilities, The Learning Disabilities Association of Newfoundland and Labrador. St. John's, NL, September, 2007.

Granic, I., Blokland, K., Solomon, T., & Ferguson, H.B. Examining the therapeutic alliance in multisystemic therapy for antisocial youth. Paper presented at the meeting of the International Society for Research in Child and Adolescent Psychopathology. London, ENG, June, 2007.

Barwick, M.A. & Ferguson, H.B. CAFAS results from Ontario Canada: Using indicators of child and adolescent functioning to guide management of children’s behavioral health services: Examples from three care systems. Paper presented at the 20th Annual Research Conference: A System of Care for Children’s Mental Health: Expanding the Research Base. Tampa, FL, March, 2007.

Ferguson, H.B. Changes in Ontario's education system. Presentation to the Ministry of Children and Youth Services: Youth Justice Services Community Development and Partnerships Branch. Toronto, ON, April, 2007.

Granic, I., Blokland, K., & Ferguson, H.B. Therapeutic processes of change inside the “black box” of mutisystemic therapy. Poster presented at the 2007 Biennial Meeting of the Society for Research in Child Development. Boston, MA, March, 2007.

Urajnik, D., Barwick, M.A., & Ferguson, H.B. Attrition from children’s mental health treatment: The role of social cognitive factors. Abstract accepted at the 20th Annual Research Conference: A System of Care for Children’s Mental Health: Expanding the Research Base. Tampa, FL, March, 2007.

Tilleczek, K., Ferguson, H.B., Boydell, K.M. & Rummens, J.A. Fractured roads to adulthood: The lived reality of disengagement from school. Paper presented at the 3rd Conference on Emerging Adulthood, Society for the Study of Emerging Adulthood. Tucson, AZ, February 15-16, 2007.

Ferguson, H.B. Making our kids successful. Panel speaker at the session on A National Call to Action: Reclaiming the Mental Health of Our Children and Youth, Canadian Association of Paediatric Health Centres' 2006 Annual Conference: Building Blocks for the Future - Improving the Health of Canada's Children and Youth. Vancouver, BC, October, 2006.

Ferguson, H.B. Schools that make our kids successful. Presentation to the Ontario Public School Boards' Association. Toronto, ON, June, 2006.

Rummens, J.A., Tilleczek, K., Boydell, K.M., & Ferguson, H.B. Having voice: Early school leaving among visible minority youth in Ontario. Paper presented at the session on Towards a Sociology FOR Youth, Congress of the Social Sciences and Humanities. Toronto, ON, May, 2006.

Rummens, J.A., Tilleczek, K., Boydell, K.M., & Ferguson, H.B. In their own voices: Early school leaving among newcomer immigrant and refugee youth. Paper presented at the session on Immigrant Children and Youth, Congress of the Social Sciences and Humanities. Toronto, ON, May, 2006.

Ferguson, H.B. Creating the schools we want for our children: A community responsibility. Keynote presentation at the 17th Annual Sparrow Lake Alliance Meeting. Port Stanton, ON, May, 2006

Rummens, J.A., Tilleczek, K., Boydell, K.M., & Ferguson, H.B. Multiple marginalizations: Understanding early school leaving among visible minority newcomer youth. Paper presented at the 2006 National Metropolis Conference on Immigration and Canada's Place in a Changing World. Vancouver, BC, March, 2006.

Barwick, M.A., Boydell, K.M., Stasiulis, E., Ferguson, H.B., Blase, K.., & Fixsen, D. Organizational readiness for change and implementation of evidence-based practices. Paper presented at the 18th Annual Research Conference: A System of Care for or Children’s Mental Health: Expanding the Research Base. Tampa, FL, March, 2005.

Barwick, M.A., Boydell, K.M., & Ferguson, H.B. Evaluating the impact of knowledge translation to support the implementation and adoption of mandated screening and outcome assessment tools in Ontario’s children’s mental health measurement initiative. Paper presented at the 3rd Canadian Cochrane Symposium. Hamilton, ON, November, 2003.

Barwick, M.A., Boydell, K.M., & Ferguson, H.B. Using knowledge transfer to facilitate the adoption of evidence-based practice. Poster presented at the 5th International Conference on the Scientific Basis of Health Services – Global Evidence for Local Decisions. Washington, DC, September, 2003.

Barwick, M.A., Boydell, K.M., Ferguson, H.B., & Cunningham, C. Ontario's screening and outcome measurement initiative in children's mental health. Poster presented at the Canadian Association of Pediatric Health Centres' 2002 Annual Conference: Children and Youth Health in the 21st Century - Where is the Evidence? Toronto, ON, June, 2002.

Barwick, M.A., Boydell, K.M., Ferguson, H.B., Cunningham, C., Greer, A., & Everett, B. A knowledge transfer infrastructure for screening and outcome measurement in children's mental health. Paper presented at the 15th Annual Research Conference: A System of Care for Children's Mental Health: Expanding the Research Base. Tampa, FL, March, 2002.

Barwick, M.A., Boydell, K.M., Ferguson, H.B., & Cunningham, C. Ontario's screening and outcome assessment initiative: Lessons in implementation and organizational change. Paper presented at the 15th Annual Research Conference: A System of Care for Children's Mental Health: Expanding the Research Base. Tampa, FL, March, 2002.

Boydell, K.M., Barwick, M.A.,  Ferguson, H.B., & Haines, R. The Child and Adolescent Functional Assessment Scale: Service provider perspectives. Poster presented at the 14th Annual Research Conference: A System of Care for Children's Mental Health: Expanding the Research Base. Tampa, FL, February 25-28, 2001.

Boydell, K.M., Levy, M., McClure, G., Ferguson, H.B., George, C., & Fainer, C.. Measuring outcome in children's mental health: The Ontario experience. Paper presented at the 14th Annual Research Conference: A System of Care for Children's Mental Health: Expanding the Research Base. Tampa, FL, February 25-28, 2001.

Ferguson, H.B. Rollout of a mental health measurement package across a provincial system. Paper presented at the 14th Annual Research Conference: A System of Care for Children's Mental health: Expanding the Research Base. Tampa, FL, February 25-28, 2001.

Boydell, K.M., Barwick, M.A.,  Ferguson, H.B., & Haines, R. Implementation of the Child and Adolescent Functional Assessment Scale: Service provider perspectives. Poster presented to Beyond 2000: Healthy Tomorrows for Children and Youth. Ottawa, ON, June, 2000.

Ferguson, H.B. Working together: Creating a system of care. Plenary session moderator at the Creating the Future: A New Vision for Children working conference. Toronto, ON, May 1-3, 2000.