For more information:
Contact Stephanie Mitton
Phone: 780-452-4661
Email: smitton@schizophrenia.ab.ca
See our Online Program Guide for technical details.
Learn ways to better support your loved one and yourself from experts in the field of schizophrenia.
Our online educational speakers forum provides SSA family members and caregivers with the opportunity to hear doctors and other experts speak on important topics related to schizophrenia.
Because the program is run online with the presenter on live video chat, you can attend from wherever you are as long as you have an internet connection.
Questions will be taken throughout the forum. You can participate through instant messaging, via microphone, or with full video chat. You're free to choose whatever format feels most comfortable to you.
**Please note that these programs are not recorded to maintain confidentiality for participants. **
Powers of Attorney and Personal Directives
Date: Thursday July 17, 2025
Time: 5:00-6:30pm
Session Description:
This presentation will provide an introduction to Personal Directives and Enduring Powers of Attorney, including what they are, why they matter, and how they are used. Attendees will learn how these legal documents help individuals plan for future incapacity by appointing trusted decision-makers for personal and financial matters.
Speakers: Michaela Summers & Preyanka Prasad
Michaela is an Associate Lawyer at VanderLeek Law and recently received her Trust and Estate Practitioner (“TEP”) designation. Prior to attending law school at the University of Calgary, Michaela studied psychology and worked as a disability support worker and as a research assistant at the Child Development Centre. She currently volunteers with Calgary Legal Guidance.
Preyanka is the newest addition to the lawyers at VanderLeek Law, maintaining a practice in all aspects of estate law, including planning, administration and the occasional litigation dispute, as well as guardianship and trusteeship. She was called to the bar in both Saskatchewan and Alberta in 2022, and brings experience from practicing in the areas of insurance defence and management-side labour and employment law. Prior to attending law school, Preyanka completed her Bachelor of Commerce Degree in her hometown at the University of Calgary, where she volunteered with the Calgary Women’s Centre. She carried on her community involvement in law school, through volunteer work with Pro Bono Students Canada as part of their Wills Project. Preyanka seeks to use her legal knowledge and expertise to continue engaging in charitable initiatives in her community.
Canada Pension Plan, Old Age Security and the Canada Disability Benefit
Date: Thursday, August 7, 2025
Time: 5:00-6:30pm
Session Description:
Join us for this session which will be covering:
Canada Pension Plan:
Overview
Retirement pension
Post-Retirement benefit
CPP Disability benefit
Death benefit
Survivor’s pension
Children’s benefit
Old Age Security (OAS):
Old Age Security and Guaranteed Income Supplement (OAS and GIS)
Allowance
Allowance for the survivor
Canada Disability Benefit:
Do you qualify
How much you could receive
Speaker: Hakima
Hakima works as a Citizen Services Specialist for the Service Canada mobile outreach team.
Canadian Dental Care Plan and Caregiver Benefits
Date: Tuesday August 12, 2025
Time: 5:00-6:00pm
Session Description:
Join us for this session which will be covering:
Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP):
Do you qualify?
When and how to apply
How much is covered
Renewals
EI Caregiver Benefits:
Adult caregiver benefits
Children caregiver benefits
Compassionate benefits
Do you qualify?
Duration of benefits
Speaker: Hakima
Hakima works as a Citizen Services Specialist for the Service Canada mobile outreach team.
Registered Disability Savings Plan and the Canada Disability Savings Grant and Bond
Date: Wednesday September 17, 2025
Time: 5:00-6:30pm
Session description:
Employment and Social Development Canada will share information on the Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP), which supports persons with disabilities to save for their future. The Government of Canada helps to increase these savings by contributing up to $90,000 to an individual’s RDSP through the Canada Disability Savings Grand and Bond, depending on family income and contributions.
Speaker: Jennifer Soucy
Jennifer is a policy analyst for the Canada Disability Savings Program within the Office for Disability Issues, Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC). Jennifer joined the federal public service in May 2021 after a 20 year career in education and non-profit organizations, where she directly supported individuals with disabilities and their families. Jennifer supports the Outreach team with the promotion of the Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP) and the Canada Disability Savings Grant and Bond. She is responsible for stakeholder and community engagement and provides information sessions about the RDSP, Grant and Bond to provincial and community organizations and to individuals with disabilities and their families.
