News & Updates
NETWORK E-BULLETIN - JANUARY 2007 EDITION
January 2007 Edition
Working Together For Kids & Teens with Disabilities …The Children’s Treatment Network is a new service delivery model for kids with multiple disabilities in Simcoe and York. It links over 30 healthcare, education, recreation, social and community services organizations so they can take a team approach to each child’s care. For the first time, parents have one point of contact for a single plan of care for kids from birth to age 19. The Network coordinates services needed and monitors each child’s progress through all the phases of their development. The Network is also expanding and adding services that are critically needed in the community to bring more services closer to home and help reduce waitlists. Parents and professionals can contact the Network by calling 1-866-377-0286 or online at www.ctn-simcoeyork.ca <http://www.ctn-simcoeyork.ca>
Network News At A Glance:
· Single Plan of Care Pilot Program Up and Running!
· Focus on Collaboration
· Network Members ‘Front of the Line’ for Smart Systems Installation
Updates From Network Members:
· New Central and North Simcoe Muskoka CCACs serve York and Simcoe
· “Introduction to Autism” Seminar
· Children’s Treatment Network featured at CYHN Symposium
· New Child Fitness Tax Credit in 2007
Single Plan of Care Pilot Program Up and Running!
115 Professionals from 25 Network member agencies ready to deliver a Single Plan of Care to 30 high needs children …
Providing each child with a single plan of integrated care is cornerstone to breaking down barriers for families and to helping each child achieve their goals. The Single Plan of Care Pilot Program brings that concept into reality.
Network members have identified 30 high needs children to participate in the pilot. A Child and Family Team has been formed to support each child. Each Team is made up of all the professionals that are currently working with the child – from therapists, educators and child development specialists to mental health counselors and service coordinators. These 30 Child & Family Teams include 115 professionals from 25 Network member organizations across Simcoe and York.
The focus throughout January has been on providing training to enable these Teams to develop a Single Plan of Care for each child. By mid-February, all 115 professionals will have been trained on new procedures, processes and tools that support Single Plan of Care plan development and integrated delivery of services. This includes training on the Electronic Client Record. This is the clinical software application - singleplanofcare.com - that allows multi-disciplinary teams across multiple organizations to conduct a team assessment, develop an integrated plan of care, share confidential information, view clinical notes and monitor each child and family’s progress.
It is expected that by the end of February, a Single Plan of Care will have been developed for all 30 children in the pilot program. During this period, Child & Family Team members will also provide feedback that will be used to refine and streamline care plan development processes, tools and training. Over the next 4 months, Single Plan of Care Training will be ramped up and rolled out to more management and front line staff in Network member organizations.
Network members are continuing to identify the next wave of high needs children to be transitioned into the Network’s Single Plan of Care. The goal is to have approximately 500 children registered on the electronic client record software application – singleplanofcare.com – by the end of May 2007.
Training Includes Focus on Collaboration
The Network’s success hinges on each of us working together in new ways and creating pathways for higher levels of collaboration. To support everyone in this process, the Network has engaged Susan Taylor-Simpson of ProAct Ideas, a consulting firm specializing in community engagement and collaboration coaching. Susan’s experience as Director of the Region of York’s Human Services Planning Branch will help jump start our ability to create those new collaborative pathways. A focus on Collaboration is being integrated into all Network training sessions for leadership, management and front line professionals.
Network Members ‘Front of the Line’ for Smart Systems Installation
The ability of all Network members to access and transmit confidential health information securely and safely is a critical element in the Single Plan of Care. The Government of Ontario, through its Smart Systems for Health Agency (SSHA), has developed a secure network and email solution for transmittal of health information that will be used by all health care providers. SSHA is in the process of connecting health care agencies to the solution and supporting them to install the email application in their organizations.
Children’s Treatment Network has been designated a network of agencies that would benefit from Smart System connectivity. As a result, SSHA is prepared to go beyond health care boundaries and establish secure connectivity for all Network members including schools, developmental services agencies and children’s mental health agencies. That means all Network members will reap the benefits of SSHA connectivity - the standard for transmittal of all health records in Ontario.
On January 17th, SSHA conducted a special forum for Children’s Treatment Network members. Over 50 clinical and information technology leads from Network member organizations attended the session which provided an overview of the system with particular emphasis on SSHA’s One-Mail system and on the Network’s Single Plan of Care. SSHA is working with each Network member to secure connectivity as quickly as possible.
UPDATES FROM NETWORK MEMBERS
New Central and North Simcoe Muskoka CCACs serve York and Simcoe - are among the 14 newly created CCACs; reduced from 42 to align with the geographic boundaries of the 14 Local Health Integration Networks (LHINs). The Central CCAC includes most of the geographic areas covered by former York Region CCAC and North York CCAC, along with much smaller portions of the former Etobicoke and York CCAC and Simcoe CCAC. The North Simcoe Muskoka LHIN encompasses parts of Simcoe County, Muskoka, and Grey County. Both the Central CCAC and North Simcoe Muskoka CCAC look forward to their continued work and partnership with the Children’s Treatment Network. For more information on the respective LHINs, please visit www.lhin.on.ca <http://www.lhin.on.ca>
“Introduction to Autism” Seminar - Network Developmental Paediatrician, Dr. Nicky Jones-Strokreef is leading an “Introduction to Autism” seminar for parents of children newly diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders. Information is available online at www.ctn-simcoeyork.ca/aboutctn/listofevents.php#event 14 <http://www.ctn-simcoeyork.ca/aboutctn/listofevents.php#event 14>
Children’s Treatment Network featured at CYHN Symposium “Caring for Children, Youth and Families in Home and Community: Innovations and Best Practices from Across Canada” - Network CEO Bob Morton participates in an expert panel on Innovations & Best Practices in Home and Community Care for Children on Feb. 20, 2007 in Toronto. For more information visit www.ctn-simcoeyork.ca/aboutctn/listofevents.php#event 12 <http://www.ctn-simcoeyork.ca/aboutctn/listofevents.php#event 12>
New Child Fitness Tax Credit in 2007 - Beginning January 1, 2007, the Government of Canada proposes to allow a non-refundable tax credit on eligible amounts of up to $500 paid by parents to register a child under the age of 16 in an eligible program of physical activity. For more information, courtesy of Parks and Recreation Ontario, please click here www.prontario.org/creditFAQ.htm <http://www.prontario.org/creditFAQ.htm>
To learn more about Children’s Treatment Network visit www.ctn-simcoeyork.ca <http://www.ctn-simcoeyork.ca>
To submit news or information for inclusion in “Updates from Network Members” please email Carolyn.cannon@ctn-simcoe-york.ca