Media releases

• Expert behaviour analyst and member of Ontario Autism Program Advisory Panel available to comment on new report

  Friday, November 01, 2019 | By Brock University

  MEDIA RELEASE: 1 Nov. 2019 – R00172

  When the Ontario government this week introduced a new plan for autism services, reversing its earlier proposal that sparked waves of protests, it was acting on the recommendations of an advisory panel. Brock University Assistant Professor Julie Koudys was a member of that panel and is available for media interviews.

  http://www.children.gov.on.ca/htdocs/English/documents/specialneeds/autism/AutismAdvisoryPanelReport_2019.pdf

  Koudys, Assistant Professor in the Department of Applied Disability Studies at Brock University, served as a member of the 20-person Ontario Autism Program Advisory Panel, which was convened by the provincial government in the spring of 2019.

  In developing its recommendations for the province’s autism program, the Panel considered feedback from individuals across Ontario provided in online surveys, townhalls, meetings with government officials and written submissions, in addition to its own discussions and deliberations.

  “The report includes numerous recommendations for supports and services that will help children and youth from the point of diagnosis until the transition into adult services, including recommendations for better integration of services across education and health,” said Koudys.

  “I hope that all affected Ministries — Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Health and Long-term Care — will work together to implement recommendations across all sectors.”

  Koudys is a clinical psychologist and board-certified behaviour analyst who has provided clinical supervision in Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) and Intensive Behaviour Intervention (IBI) for almost 20 years. She is an active member of the Ontario Association for Behaviour Analysts, currently serving as chair of the Ethics and Jurisprudence Committee and the Ontario Scientific Expert Committee for the Treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

  Julie Koudys is available for media interviews and can be reached at jkoudys@brocku.ca

  For more information or for assistance arranging interviews:

  Kevin Cavanagh, Brock University Communications, kcavanagh@brocku.ca or 905-688-5550 ext. 5888 or 905 321-4310
  Michelle Pressé, Brock University Communications, mpresse@brocku.ca or 905-688-5550 ext. 4420 or 905-246-1963

  Categories: Media releases

• Cuvée 2020 to celebrate the best in Ontario VQA wine

  Friday, November 01, 2019 | By Brock University

  MEDIA RELEASE: 1 Nov. 2019 – R00171

  Mark your calendars for the most sought-after wine event of the year – the annual Cuvée Grand Tasting has been set for Saturday, April 25, 2020.

  The event, which serves as the largest celebration of VQA wine of its kind, will be held at the Scotiabank Convention Centre in Niagara Falls and will feature more than 100 wine selections from Ontario’s top winemakers.

  Organized by Brock University’s Cool Climate Oenology and Viticulture Institute (CCOVI), Cuvée is a weekend-long celebration of Ontario VQA wine and local cuisine from chefs from across the region.

  “Cuvée not only celebrates excellence in our industry, it also supports the next generation of winemakers and grape growers by funding valuable research and providing scholarships to students through the Cuvée Legacy Fund,” said CCOVI Director Debbie Inglis.

  Cuvée 2020 will see the return of the popular “Winemakers’ Favourite Wines” feature, along with gourmet food delicacies prepared by celebrated chefs at live cooking stations. At the Après Cuvée party, guests can look forward to live music and selections from micro-breweries, cideries and VQA wineries.

  Cuvée Manager Barb Tatarnic said the 2019 event drew a record crowd to the Grand Tasting event, with nearly 900 guests in attendance.

  “This is the largest event of its kind,” said Tatarnic. “The strong turnout of guests year after year truly showcases the importance of our grape and wine industry and the strong level of support it garners from our local community and beyond.”

  During the weekend-long event, the Cuvée en Route passport program allows ticket holders access to exclusive tasting flights at more than 30 Niagara wineries from April 24 to 26.

  Passports are included with the Grand Tasting or can also be purchased individually for $30. Tickets are on sale now, with early-bird prices available.

  For more information or to purchase tickets to the Cuvée Grand Tasting or en Route passports, visit cuvee.ca

   

  For more information or for assistance arranging interviews:

  Kevin Cavanagh, Brock University Communications, kcavanagh@brocku.ca or 905-688-5550 ext. 5888 or 905 321-4310

  Michelle Pressé, Brock University Communications, mpresse@brocku.ca or 905-688-5550 ext. 4420 or 905-246-1963

  Categories: Media releases