When it comes to brain health, the need for support extends far beyond clinical settings. Community programs play a crucial role in helping individuals living with brain disorders access essential care. Through the Ontario Brain Institute’s (OBI) Growing Expertise in Evaluation and Knowledge Translation (GEEK) program, vital funding and expert guidance are enabling these organizations to deliver impactful, community-driven initiatives that are dedicated to improving the quality of life for those facing brain health challenges.
Now in its sixth year, GEEK is not only strengthening evaluation capacity but also driving the generation of real-world evidence. This evidence helps organizations refine their programs, enhance care delivery, and ultimately improve outcomes. The impact of this year’s GEEK cohort is evident not only in rigorous evaluations but also in the lives transformed within their communities, showcasing the program's far-reaching benefits.
RDS Canada offers specialized support for individuals and families affected by rare and young-onset dementia, providing everything from peer support groups to educational resources and healthcare connections. With GEEK's support, RDS Canada conducted a comprehensive program evaluation, piloting data collection and building an outcome measurement system. This system enables continuous quality monitoring and long-term impact evaluation.
"GEEK funding laid the foundation for our recent success in securing a CIHR grant to further evaluate our programs. OBI’s support has allowed us to expand our impact in dementia care and research, helping us better serve our community."
- Dr. Mary Pat Sullivan, RDS Canada Director
ESO’s Equipment Funding Program (EFP) provides crucial financial assistance to families in need of essential mobility and accessibility equipment for children with physical disabilities, including brain disorders like cerebral palsy. Through GEEK, ESO engaged key stakeholders in interviews, gaining valuable insights into the program’s effectiveness. These insights have improved the program’s reach and decision-making processes, ultimately benefiting children with neurological conditions.
"GEEK’s support provided critical insights into our Equipment Funding Program and created pathways to enhance the experiences of both clients and caregivers. This evaluation has informed our advocacy efforts and strengthened our collaborations with key partners to better serve families."
- Alison Morse, Senior Manager of Advocacy and Family Engagement at Easter Seals Ontario
DWP delivers movement-based programs for individuals living with Parkinson’s disease and other mobility challenges. Thanks to GEEK, DWP adopted a participant-led evaluation approach, gathering invaluable feedback directly from their community. This approach deepened their understanding of participant needs and expanded partnerships with health and wellness professionals, addressing broader health equity issues.
DWP's evaluation learnings now inform every aspect of their work, from communication to program adaptation, shaping a theory of change that is being widely shared across the organization and beyond.
"Our collaboration with U-Turn Parkinson’s in Winnipeg provided crucial insights that have helped us better serve underserved populations—not just in Winnipeg but in other communities as well."
- Jessica Dargo Caplan, Director of Outreach & Engagement at Dancing with Parkinson’s
The "Keep Moving" program at Canada Games Complex offers specialized exercise classes for adults with neurological conditions such as stroke, multiple sclerosis, and Parkinson's disease. With GEEK support, the team enhanced participant tracking and assessment, leading to program improvements and plans to scale across Northern Ontario. They are now developing a toolkit to help other recreation centers implement similar initiatives.
"Thanks to GEEK, we’ve expanded our program offerings and are engaging more individuals with brain injuries and neurological disorders. The positive feedback from participants has fueled our outreach to surrounding communities, helping bring similar programs to more people."
- Kylee Henson, Keep Moving Lead at Canada Games Complex
Impact beyond the program
The four community organizations who joined GEEK in 2023 are strong examples of the important role community plays to support brain health and the lives of individuals living with brain disorders. OBI sees investment in community organizations as another pathway to impact in our mission to improve brain health. And we are not alone. This year, the Hilary and Galen Weston Foundation and OBI funding aligned to expand the reach of two past GEEK-supported programs: the evaluation and expansion of Dancing with Parkinson’s to Manitoba and Prince Edward Island, and the evaluation and launch of the Rare Dementia Supports community network across Canada. Together, the investments from the Hilary and Galen Weston Foundation and OBI are helping create greater access to evidence-informed care and support for patients in their own communities.
Bring brain health to life by supporting GEEK.
Header photo courtesy of Dancing with Parkinson's
