Heather Savazzi

My goal is to collect the best research and promising practices, simplify the complex, and translate knowledge into action by sharing stories and strategies with early childhood educators and families. Over the last twenty years, I've worked with children with special needs, with newcomer women and children, and as an Early Literacy Specialist in Northern Ontario. Most recently, I have had the honour of working with leading experts in childhood trauma, resilience and settlement; and travelled coast-to-coast, visiting Care for Newcomer Children’s programs. I have seen first-hand how tapping in to children’s potential for resilience and growth in the early years can lead to lasting change and improved settlement outcomes for newcomer families. As part of the CMAS team, I have led the development of a multilingual newcomer parent resource series and am the primary author of The Resilience Guide: Strategies for Responding to Trauma in Refugee Children, and Care for Newcomer Children: A Step-by-Step Guide for New Programs. I am also co-author of Caring for Syrian Refugee Children: A Program Guide for Welcoming Young Children and Their Families.