NETWORK E-BULLETIN - FEBRUARY 2007 EDITION

1,000 Kids Benefit from Services

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:

• Over 1,000 kids benefit from additional services
• Over 48 professional added to the Network
• Research study on impact of Network's integrated care begins
• "SPOTLIGHT ON... York Support Services Network" (a new monthly feature profiling a Network partner)
• "Ask Bob" - Network CEO answers your questions on-line
  

Over 1,000 kids benefit from additional services provided through the Network  
The latest numbers are in. The Network’s focus on expanding and enhancing available services in the community is making an impact.  From April to December 2006, Network partners served well over 1,000 kids who had been waiting for services. The Network also brought two new critically needed services into the community.   For the first time, Feeding and Swallowing and Diagnostic Assessment services were delivered to school age kids in York who used to have to travel for these services. In addition, 121 kids in Simcoe received Augmentative Communication services through the CTN Specialty Service Team. Overall, Network funding allowed partners to provide the following additional services to kids with multiple disabilities during this 9-month period:

• 3,425 speech language sessions
• 3,831 physiotherapy sessions
• 6,318 occupational therapy sessions
• 282 Augmentative Communication consultations
• 192 feeling sessions
• 563 developmental diagnostic consultations
• 459 social work sessions
• 202 psychology sessions
  

Over 48 professionals added to the Network ... and recruitment continues!
The Network is on track in our recruitment drive. As of January 2007, we reached 59% of target by adding over 48 professionals dedicated to providing Network services. These include physiotherapists, communications disorders assistants, speech language pathologists, service coordinators, developmental paediatricians, occupational therapists, and inclusive recreationists.  As the year progresses, we will recruit more speech language pathologists, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, augmentative communication technicians, social workers and psychologists.  Plans are to reach 100% of our target by 2008.

Research study on impact of Network’s integrated services begins
Last May we announced plans for a comprehensive research study to be conducted by Dr. Gina Browne in consultation with Dr. Peter Rosenbaum of McMaster University to evaluate the impact of the new Network model. The results of this study will play a key role in informing policy makers on the value of coordinated, integrated services for kids with multiple needs. It will also provide valuable insight into the quantifiable benefits of integrated care to kids and families and the service system.

The goal is to have 500 families involved in the study – 250 from York and 250 from Simcoe. Half of the participants will be part of a randomly chosen experimental group who will receive coordinated, integrated care through the Network.  The other half will continue to receive services within the traditional system. This will be a two-year study with formalized measures taken initially, at 12 months and at 24 months. The final report, which will be published internationally and shared with Network partners and families, will address the impact of integrated services on kids and families, as well as describe economic implications for the services delivery system.

Network partners have identified potential kids and families to take part in the study. Starting in March and proceeding gradually over the next several months, these families will receive an information package requesting their participation. All families involved will be compensated for their participation. Our goal is to have 500 kids and families enrolled by the fall of 2007.  If you have any questions about the research study, please contact Sandy Thurston at sandy.thurston@ctn-simcoeyork.ca <mailto:sandy.thurston@ctn-simcoeyork.ca>

“SPOTLIGHT ON…
For 25 years York Support Services Network (YSSN) has been providing case management/service coordination supports for children and adults.  More recent additions to the services provided include the community crisis services - 310 COPE, York Region and Children’s Case Coordination. Each year, the agency staff provide a range of support for 700 to 900 kids with developmental disabilities and/or mental health issues between the ages of 6 and 19. YSSN has been an integral part of the Network since its inception. Two YSSN staff members are Local Team Facilitators: Vicky Merrilees for the Cross Border Team, and Kim Thorn for the Georgina Team. YSSN also hosts two service coordinator positions on behalf of the Network, which are being fulfilled by Katherine Picard and Cathy Walsh-Peters. YSSN’s Jennifer Ralph also serves as an inclusive recreation coordinator, who works with municipal parks and recreation, community and not for profit groups to explore recreational opportunities for kids with special needs.

Executive Director Marie Lauzier says she is excited by the potential opportunities ahead. “Partnering within the Network enables our agency to bring more resources to the families we support. We look forward to the full realization of the Network’s vision, when the focus will be on an integrated and comprehensive response to a child's needs, regardless of which service providers are involved.”

For more information on YSSN visit www.yssn.ca <http://www.yssn.ca>

Network CEO answers your questions on-line
Bob Morton, the Network’s CEO invites parents, families and professionals to ask questions, offer suggestions and provide input on how the Network can continue to play a vital role in supporting families and kids with multiple disabilities.

Bob’s goal is to post answers to all questions on the website within five working days (questions will be posted anonymously).  

To access “Ask Bob” click here www.ctn-simcoeyork.ca/aboutctn/askbob.php <http://www.ctn-simcoeyork.ca/aboutctn/askbob.php>