Waterloo Region Family Network - WRFN

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Waterloo Region Family Network - WRFN WRFN is a peer-developed & peer-driven network that supports families of children with special needs, with or without a diagnosis, in all life stages.

Kick-off event for Rainbow Reels Film Festival 2026!The festival opens on Friday, October 23 at KW Famous Creative Cafe ...
10/13/2026

Kick-off event for Rainbow Reels Film Festival 2026!
The festival opens on Friday, October 23 at KW Famous Creative Cafe with the documentary film LARRY - they/them, beginning the weekend with an intimate exploration of gender, identity, and the ways we come to understand and articulate who we are. The film's assistant producer and editor, and local filmmaker, Rémy Huberdeau, will be in attendance and give a short talk about the film.
About the Film, Larry (they/them):

Young non-binary trans photographer Laurence Philomène has emerged as one of the most original and inspiring voices of their generation and an LGBTQ+ community icon. Exploring the artist’s intimate world and creative process, LARRY (they/them) paints a luminous and engaging portrait of the complex, often misunderstood multiplicity of trans and non-binary identities and experiences.

Get your tickets to the Kick-Off Party for Rainbow Reels at: bit.ly/RR2026KickOff

Explore Your Future is a FREE event that helps caregivers, students and educators to better understand opportunities for...
10/13/2026

Explore Your Future is a FREE event that helps caregivers, students and educators to better understand opportunities for work and learning here in Waterloo Region. Exhibitors will showcase careers and answer questions, including:

Post-secondary institutions in the Waterloo Region

Local employers in sectors like construction, advanced manufacturing, health care, technology, business, and more

Community agencies with resources on how to get experience through employment, volunteering or starting a business

Experts in Experiential Learning and Career/Life Planning from the Waterloo Region and Waterloo Catholic school boards

Apprenticeship: What it is and how students can try and start one for free through the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program

Date: Tuesday, November 10th
Time: 5-8 p.m.
Location: Tapestry Hall, 74 Grand Ave S, Cambridge
Cost: Free

Registration is required so that we can communicate important details to attendees in advance, and track overall participation for our funders.
To Register: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/explore-your-future-career-expo-cambridge-2026-tickets-1993693592203?aff=oddtdtcreator&keep_tld=true&mc_cid=ad10207c71&mc_eid=3a81458f77

*Additional parking is available at the Hamilton Family Theatre on the day of the event*

PDA is recognized as a pattern of behaviour in which children and youth engaged in extreme behaviours to ignore or avoid...
10/13/2026

PDA is recognized as a pattern of behaviour in which children and youth engaged in extreme behaviours to ignore or avoid anything they perceive as a demand. It is often, but not exclusively, seen in children with autism.

It doesn't disappear with age, but can begin to present differently throughout a person's life. It also may go undetected in childhood but become apparent in adulthood with an increase in greater responsibilities.

If you and your family are struggling with PDA, WRFN has started a new support group that may be a good fit for you.

This monthly support group has been designed as an opportunity for resource sharing and conversations to reduce feelings of isolation on your family's journey.

This session will take place online on
Wednesday,October 14,2026
from 7-9 pm.

To register, please email us at [email protected].

🎓 Preparing You Student with Diverse Needs for High School? Join Our Workshop, Transitioning to High School: Planning, P...
10/13/2026

🎓 Preparing You Student with Diverse Needs for High School? Join Our Workshop, Transitioning to High School: Planning, Pathways & Supports

In partnership with Waterloo Public and Catholic School Boards, helping Grade 8 students and families prepare for high school.

📅 Tuesday, November 3
🕡 6:30–7:30 PM | Catholic Session
🕢 7:30–8:30 PM | Public Session
Attend your intended school board’s session or both!

💬 Connect directly with school board representatives and get your questions answered!

📩 RSVP: Email [email protected] with your name, school board and questions you’d like addressed.

We're so glad you're following us here on social media, but did you know you can get even more updates on our website? D...
10/13/2026

We're so glad you're following us here on social media, but did you know you can get even more updates on our website? Don't miss any updates from the Family Network!

Set a weekly reminder to check the Community News & Updates page on our website to learn about all the exciting events, programs, webinars, and more happening in Waterloo Region.

Are you looking to spread the word about your upcoming accessible and inclusive event in the community? Let us know about it! Email [email protected] with the details so we can include it on our website.

https://wrfn.info/CommunityNewsAndUpdates/

12th Annual Family Conference Join the Learning Disabilities Association of Wellington County on Saturday, November 14, ...
10/12/2026

12th Annual Family Conference


Join the Learning Disabilities Association of Wellington County on Saturday, November 14, 2026, for a FREE day of learning, connection, and practical support for families impacted by learning disabilities and ADHD.

This year’s theme is Supporting the Whole Family, with sessions designed for parents, caregivers, educators, professionals, and community members. Throughout the day, you’ll hear from knowledgeable speakers, discover helpful resources and practical tools, and connect with others who understand the experiences of families navigating learning disabilities and ADHD.

📅 Saturday, November 14, 2026
⏰ 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
📍 Bishop Macdonell Catholic High School, Guelph
🎟️ FREE to attend

REGISTER HERE: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/ldawc-121th-annual-family-conference-tickets-1997052170802

The Social Kitchen, is a cooking and social group for neurodivergent teens ages 13-17 offered by Empower ABA: Behaviour ...
10/09/2026

The Social Kitchen, is a cooking and social group for neurodivergent teens ages 13-17 offered by Empower ABA: Behaviour Services & Supports

Date: Thursday evenings, Oct 29 - Dec 3
Time: 5:30 - 7:30pm
Location: The Nook, 769 King St. E. Cambridge
Cost: $950 (see flyer for more details)

Register before Oct 13
Included are the direct link to the interest form
https://forms.gle/rGLghpbGYZUG56p67

Thank you, Sue! We hope to connect again

The 17th Annual Federal Policy Forum on Inclusion, from getting by to getting ahead: Eliminating poverty and building f...
10/09/2026

The 17th Annual Federal Policy Forum on Inclusion, from getting by to getting ahead: Eliminating poverty and building financial stability.

Date: December 3, 2026
Time 9am - 4pm
Location: Palais des Congrès de Gatineau, 50 Boulevard Maisonneuve, Gatineau, Quebec
Cost: Standard Ticket $125 + tax

This year's policy forum will explore what it takes to eliminate poverty and build financial stability for people with an intellectual disability and their families. This in-person event will feature a series of panels and interactive question & answer periods. Panels include lived-experience perspectives from people with an intellectual disability and families, as well as research and policy expertise.

Learn more go to https://www.inclusioncanada.ca/page/2026-policy-forum
and register today go to: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/policy-forum-on-inclusion-forum-des-politiques-federales-sur-linclusion-tickets-1993554278512?aff=oddtdtcreator

Webcast for Individuals, Families & Caregivers on Developmental Services Reform - Thu, Oct 29, 2026 7:00 PM - 8:30 PMPle...
10/09/2026

Webcast for Individuals, Families & Caregivers on Developmental Services Reform - Thu, Oct 29, 2026 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM

Please join Partners for Planning for a simultaneous French/English presentation on an update on the work underway as part of developmental services reform. This work is guided by a vision in which people with developmental disabilities are empowered to live the lives they choose, with support from their communities, personal networks and government to belong, participate and thrive.

Following the presentation, there will be a Q&A session with Christine Kuepfer and Amy Olmstead, Directors at the Children and Community Services Division of MCCSS. We will be collecting questions in advance to address as many as possible during the live segment.

If you have questions you’d like to share, please use this form before October 23 at 11:59 pm EDT. If you cannot access the form, you can submit your questions to [email protected]. There will be no opportunity to ask questions during the webcast.

Location: Virtual event
Date and time: Thu, Oct 29, 2026 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM

To register go to: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/jr472vk?source_id=53d9e155-568e-47a8-9c50-c6d82262f0d0&source_type=em&c=BsLdk0ClBXR0X8mJz8VzKJoMI71432kBAA73qIyxkP_zsGT4FyTiEw==

Please contact DSCS Engagements at [email protected] for any inquiries.

CICE Virtual Information Session - Conestoga CollegeThis session will provide an overview of the CICE program at Conest...
10/09/2026

CICE Virtual Information Session - Conestoga College

This session will provide an overview of the CICE program at Conestoga. At the end of the presentation, participants will be able to ask program staff questions.

The Community Integration through Co-operative Education (CICE) program is a two-year program designed to provide individuals with exceptionalities and other significant learning challenges the opportunity to experience college life and enhance their academic and vocational skills with modified programming and support from Learning Strategists.

Date: Wednesday, October 21
Time: 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM
Location: Online
Cost: Free

To Register please go to: a7ef2d8f-f602-4e01-bb5c-7187931c615f@4ddd393a-e98a-4404-841f-c4becdd925a5?source=copyLinkLegacyShareEventDialog" rel="ugc" target="_blank">https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/a7ef2d8f-f602-4e01-bb5c-7187931c615f@4ddd393a-e98a-4404-841f-c4becdd925a5?source=copyLinkLegacyShareEventDialog

To learn more about this program go to: https://www.conestogac.on.ca/fulltime/community-integration-through-co-operative-education/description?id=31083

Address

500 Hallmark Drive
Waterloo, ON
N2K3P5

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