Fraser Mustard Institute for Human Development Policy Bench

Welcome to the Fraser Mustard Institute for Human Development (FMIHD) Policy Bench, administered in the Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work at the University of Toronto.

Recent highlights

Report cover shows illustration of a Canadian flag with a gavel, balance scale and books. Includes U of T Logo.

New Policy Bench Report: Understanding the Effects of Corporal Punishment on Children, Families and Communities and Implications for Legal Reform in Canada

This policy brief and associated fact sheet (published September 2024) explores the issue of legislation around corporal punishment of children in Canada from various perspectives – including social and cultural, legal, and policy perspectives. Arguments for and against legal bans on corporal punishment are analyzed, and evidence from other jurisdictions are included to generate insights that could inform future policy and practice in Canada.

New Policy Bench Report: Supports and Systems to respond to Complex Needs Among Children and Youth in Ontario

Cover of report: Supports and Systems to Respond to Complex Needs Among Children and Youth in Ontario

This policy brief (published June 2024) examines the issue of how systems in Ontario can best support children and youth with complex behavioural and mental health needs to improve health, social, and other developmental outcomes. Findings from the literature in Canada and other jurisdictions are summarized, including a review of existing models and approaches to address complex needs and any evidence of their impact, as well as evidence on challenges and barriers to accessing needed services. Implications of the findings for policy and practice, as well as remaining gaps and research needs are also discussed.

Past highlights

“Ask an Expert” Series – Information Sheets

A series of information sheets was produced by the Policy Bench in partnership with the First Nations Child & Family Caring Society in 2023, covering the following topics relevant to First Nations children and families in Canada: the practice of birth alerts; parenting capacity assessments; and substance use interventions.

RSC Policy Briefing: Time to be Counted: COVID-19 and Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

COVID-19 has disproportionately impacted the lives of people with intellectual & developmental disabilities. Researchers from the Policy Bench collaborated with members of the Royal Society for Canada Task Force on COVID-19 to produce this policy briefing with a series of evidence-informed recommendations.

 

Let the Children Play! graphic image

Call to Action: Let the Children Play

Researchers call for improved access to safe, outdoor spaces to reduce the pandemic’s devastating impact on children & youth

This call to action was created in a partnership between Native Child and Family Services of Toronto (NCFST), The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids), and researchers from the Policy Bench at the Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work.

From Research to Impact: A Toolkit for Developing Effective Policy Briefs

This toolkit, developed at the request of the Leong Centre for Healthy Children’s Advisory Committee provides an informative guide for researchers on the development of effective policy briefs to communicate research findings to policymakers.