2025 ONBARR SPEAKERS
Keynote Speaker: Chloe Cole
Chloe Cole is a 20-year-old American activist from California who speaks on gender-affirming care for minors. Chloe has testified before U.S. Congress and various state legislatures, supporting legislation to restrict gender-affirming treatments for minors. Her advocacy has made her a prominent figure in debates on youth gender transitions.
At ONBARR, Chloe will discuss her personal journey and the implications of medical interventions in adolescent gender identity.
MAIN SPEAKERS
George Couchie
Talk Title: Cultural Mindfulness
This presentation explores the enduring impact of intergenerational trauma within First Nations communities and the vital role culture plays in healing. Through the lens of the Seven Grandfather Teachings and community-specific traditions, such as the Spark and the drum, the talk offers insight into the strength, identity, and resilience that guide the journey toward wellness.
In a time when many seek healing and belonging, these teachings offer powerful reminders of who we are and the hope we carry forward.
Det. Marcus Joseph, York Regional Police
Talk Title: The Dangers of Internet Child Exploitation
This talk will provide listeners with information on what Human Trafficking and Internet Child Exploitation is, what it looks like, how to report it, how to support victims, and current trends across Ontario and what York Regional Police are seeing within York.
Participants will become familiar with warnings signs, ways to safeguard children and youth, and online resources parents and community members can access.
Adam Ventura, M.S., BCBA
Talk Title: The Question is the Curriculum: Reimagining Education in the Age of AI
This talk explores how artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming the purpose of education and how behavior analysis can guide that transformation. As AI takes over content delivery, the educator’s role must shift from information provider to coach of curiosity, prompting, and metacognition. Using principles from behavior analysis, we’ll examine how to shape student behaviors like goal-setting, question formulation, and self-monitoring in AI-enabled classrooms. The presentation highlights inquiry-based models and fluency-building strategies that align with both behavior science and the future of learning.
2025 onbarr Featured breakout room hosts
York Regional Police - Panel
Sonia Stellato, BCBA, RBA
Session: Together We Can Make a Difference!
Det. Konstantin Orshansky, Sgt. Ricky Ho, Victim Liaison Social Worker, Liane Westlake & Survivor GI
Hear directly from a former youth in care and survivor of human trafficking as they share how child welfare and police worked together through a trauma-informed, victim-centered lens to support their healing. This session explores how collaborative, cross-system approaches can lead to safer, more empowering outcomes for survivors. Panelists will discuss lessons learned, the value of interagency cooperation, and how systems can respond more effectively to exploitation.
A Q&A will follow, offering attendees the chance to engage with the panel and deepen their understanding of this critical work.
Sonia Stellato, BCBA, RBA
Sonia Stellato, BCBA, RBA
Session: Data or Distraction: What's the Real Value?
Accurate data collection is essential in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), yet traditional systems often fall short due to inefficiencies, inconsistent protocols, and disciplinary silos. This session explores how outdated methods can hinder progress—and how co-designed, interdisciplinary data frameworks can unlock ABA’s full potential.
Participants will examine strategies for modernizing ABA data systems through technology, collaboration, and shared measurement goals. From joint assessments to cross-disciplinary workshops, this session highlights innovative practices that reduce redundancy, improve accuracy, and enhance holistic care.
Sarah Meharg
Session: Cultivating a Growth Mindset for Effective Time Management
In this interactive session, participants will explore how adopting a growth mindset can transform their approach to time management. Attendees will share their challenges, reflect on personal experiences, and engage in collaborative problem-solving to develop actionable strategies.
By emphasizing flexibility, resilience, and innovation, participants will learn to view time constraints as opportunities for improvement. Join Sarah in reframing our perspectives to enhance efficiency and better serve our teams, organizations, people we serve and our community.
Jennie Hilts (DCAFS) & Karen Huber (SDRC)
Jennie Hilts (DCAFS) & Karen Huber (SDRC)
Session: FASD Informed Practice
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) is a lifelong, brain-based physical disability that affects 4% of the population. It is not limited by race, culture, or geography, yet persistent stereotypes, particularly those targeting Indigenous communities, continue to fuel stigma and misinformation.
This session offers a clear, compassionate look at what it means to live with FASD, highlighting both the strengths and the support needs of individuals affected. Participants will explore an FASD-informed approach that challenges harmful myths and centers the rights of children and youth to identity, connection, safety, education, and belonging.
Robyn Mahood, MSW, RSW
Jennie Hilts (DCAFS) & Karen Huber (SDRC)
Robyn Mahood, MSW, RSW
Session: Supporting Survivors of Intimate Partner Violence through Probable Brain Injury and Building New Relationships
Robyn will explore the complex intersection of intimate partner violence (IPV) and brain injury (BI), emphasizing why increased awareness of this pervasive social issue is essential for professionals in the helping fields. She will present findings from a recent study she conducted with survivors, examining how they navigated both romantic and non-romantic relationships after leaving IPV. While research on post-violence relationships remains limited—and is nonexistent for those affected by IPV-related BI—this study is the first to investigate these dynamics in this context. Rather than focusing solely on trauma, the research highlights how survivors rebuild their lives, form meaningful connections, and experience healing. Robyn will share key findings and survivor-informed recommendations, and discuss how these lived experiences can be used to challenge stigma and foster deeper, more meaningful relationships for the individuals you support.
Maria Orrego, MA, RP
Jennie Hilts (DCAFS) & Karen Huber (SDRC)
Robyn Mahood, MSW, RSW
Session: Love, Lust & the Algorithm: Intimacy in the Age of AI
This thought-provoking session explores how artificial intelligence is reshaping the way we connect, love, and heal. From late-night chats with AI companions to interactive sex education and digital “therapists,” people are increasingly turning to AI to meet emotional and intimate needs, especially those navigating trauma, neurodivergence, or isolation.
Blending clinical insight with emerging digital trends, the session examines both the potential and the pitfalls of AI in mental health and intimate spaces. It highlights how AI can support communication, self-awareness, and healing, while also addressing concerns around bias, emotional dependency, and misinformation.