NETWORK E-BULLETIN - AUGUST 2007 EDITION

Inclusive Rec brings summer camp to 850 kids

Working Together For Kids & Teens with Disabilities ... 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

NEWS AT A GLANCE:

• Catulpa and YSSN Inclusive Recreation services bring the joy of summer camp to over 850 kids with special needs
• Transition to Single Plan of Care begins! Research participants first to receive Single Plan of Care
• Single Plan of Care training for professionals ramps up
• Vote on the Top 10 Canadian Child Health Advances

Catulpa and YSSN Inclusive Recreation Services bring the joy of summer camp to over 850 kids with special needs in Simcoe & York
Every morning before he goes to camp Jolen McPhee, a happy-go-lucky 13-year old boy from Newmarket with Down syndrome packs his knapsack, looks at his calendar and gets ready for the day ahead. "He's grinning from ear to ear and can't wait to see his friends," says his mother Jennifer.

The Sabourin triplets in Barrie are pretty excited about their first summer camp experience. Two of these inseparable four year olds have special needs. Sabrina has cerebral palsy and Colin has Hurlers Syndrome. Both are crazy about their brother Dylan, the natural born leader of the trio. As their mother Sharon says, "What Dylan does, the others follow."

Sylvie Quintal, a 16-year old student with global developmental delay is attending day camp in Orillia. And though she can't communicate in words, her mother Susan sees the joy in Sylvie's face when her counselor and fellow campers greet her in the morning. "It really motivates her," she says.

But without the support of local Parks and Recreation departments and Inclusive Recreation services provided by Catulpa Community Support Services and York Support Services Network (YSSN), the Sabourin triplets might not have been able to spend their week together. And Jolen and Sylvie may not have been able to join their friends at camp.

(Top) 13-year old Jolen McPhee delivers the water drop on Inclusion Facilitator Tara during a 'Drip, Drip, Drop' game at Newmarket's Kids Place Camp at Denne Recreation Centre. (Bottom) There's smiling faces all around as Mom and Grandpa visit 4-year old Sabourin triplets Dylan (left), Colin (centre) and Sabrina (right) at Barrie's Kinder Fun Camp at East Bayfield Recreation Centre.

They are among more than 850 children with disabilities who are experiencing the joy of summer camp in Simcoe and York this year. Through Inclusive Recreation programs and services provided by Catulpa and YSSN, these kids receive one-to-one assistance at camp from specially trained Inclusion Counselors who support campers with special needs.

In Simcoe, Inclusive Recreation services are now being offered through more than 100 municipal Parks and Recreation programs in Barrie, Orillia, Bradford, Base Borden, Collingwood, Wasaga Beach, Midland, New Tecumseth, Innisfil and Ramara. Nancy Snow, Inclusive Recreation Resource Coordinator for Catulpa says the demand for these programs has grown tremendously in Simcoe. "When Catulpa first started this program eight years ago, we had 14 kids with special needs attending camps. This year we're assisting over 400."

(Top) Sylvie Quintal (16 yrs.) and Inclusion Counselor Katie race to the finish during a 'Deliver the Letter' game at Theatre Arts Camp in Orillia. (Bottom) Sylvie and fellow camper Madison (right) plot strategy for the next game.

Jennifer Ralph, Inclusive Recreation Coordinator for YSSN reports that over 450 children with disabilities in York are attending municipal and private camps in Newmarket, Aurora, Markham, Vaughan, Richmond Hill, Georgina and Kettleby this year. She stresses that the partnerships with municipal, private and non-profit recreation providers are key to the program's success. "We're working to partner with more municipalities and agencies so we can continue to remove barriers, provide training for more Inclusion Facilitators and expand opportunities."

This year, Children's Treatment Network has also provided funding support so that programs can continue to hire and train Inclusion Counselors. "Recreation departments and our partners Catulpa and YSSN are working hard to develop and expand community-based programs to support kids with special needs," says Bob Morton, CEO of the Network.

(Top) Sabrina Sabourin and 18-year old camp counselor Dustin head over to the next activity during Kinder Fun Camp in Barrie. (Bottom) Jolen McPhee (2nd from right) and Inclusion Facilitator Emily (centre) play the Parachute game at Kids Place Camp in Newmarket.

As a person with a brother who has special needs, Marcia Feddes, Superintendent of Recreation Services for the City of Orillia, says inclusive recreation is near and dear to her heart. "All of us involved in this are committed to equalizing access to recreation opportunities for these kids."

The biggest bonus she says is the power that partnerships bring to the process. "It helps us get funding and allows everyone to better support parents so they don't have to go through 10 extra steps to get their kids registered."

Lindsay Sorensen, Recreation Programmer, Town of Newmarket Parks, Recreation and Culture Department, points out that everyone is benefiting from these efforts. "Participants and staff have benefited greatly through valuable training, on-site visits and consultations. Families who use our service are thrilled with the level of support we provide, our professionalism and the quality of our programs. Together we are making a difference for these children."

Jolen's mother Jennifer couldn't agree more. "Every day Jolen wakes up excited about the day ahead. Inclusive recreation is such a wonderful thing for any child - whether they have special needs or not. I'm just so happy there's something like this out there."

To find out more about Inclusive Recreation services, contact:
Children's Treatment Network, 1-866-377-0286 www.ctn-simcoeyork.ca or;
In York: Jennifer Ralph, York Support Services Network, 905-722-6484 x 230
In Simcoe: Nancy Snow, Catulpa Community Support Services, 705-733-3227 x 245 or;
Your municipal parks and recreation department.

Transition to Single Plan of Care begins!
Since the Network's launch one year ago, Network partners have expanded and added services critically needed in the community. They have also created the new 'single plan of care' tools, systems and processes that are needed to provide kids and families with intensive coordinated and integrated rehabilitation and support services.

Research participants first to receive Single Plan of Care
Over the next few weeks, 600 families of kids with special needs will have received an information package from their current service provider inviting them to participate in a special research study being conducted by McMaster University. Three hundred of those families will be randomly assigned into the first group to receive a single plan of care. A service coordinator will assist them with accessing the assessments needed to develop an integrated care plan and will help them coordinate all the services required in their child's single plan of care. These kids will also be the first to have an electronic client record, which allows the Network professionals working with each child to share clinical notes and monitor their progress. The other 300 research families will continue to be well supported by the current system and will have access to the full range of rehabilitation and support services provided by all Network partners. Families participating in the research study will be confirmed by October 1, 2007. The families randomly assigned into the single plan of care group will transition into the new system throughout the fall of 2007.

The research will be conducted throughout a 3-year period. It will help evaluate which families and children most benefit from intensive coordination and integrated care. The study will also help Network partners fine tune the new single plan of care system and tools.

All kids with multiple disabilities in Simcoe and York to transition to Single Plan of Care over the next 3 years
Network partners are currently developing the process and tools for prioritizing the remaining 4,200 kids and families who will transition into the single plan of care system. This will involve a systematic approach, as well as Network partners working together to identify high-priority, at-risk kids and families in complex situations where the need for intensive coordinated care is urgent.

The prioritization process will be developed by the end of September. Transition information will be posted on the Network website and we'll be working closely with all Network partners to identify the next wave of children to transition into the single plan of care system.

For more details on the Research Study and Transition to Single Plan of Care visit www.ctn-simcoeyork.ca/transition.php
or contact Sandy Thurston at 1-877-719-4795 ext. 2328 or email sandy.thurston@ctn-simcoeyork.ca with any questions you have. You may also refer families to speak directly to Sandy.

Single Plan of Care training for professionals ramps up
Given the first wave of 300 kids will be transitioning to the new system in the fall, it is critical that all Network professionals receive training on the new single plan of care processes and tools, including the shared electronic client record - singleplanofcare.com

To support our increased focus on training, Rhonda Jacobson has joined the Network as Training Coordinator. Rhonda brings 25 years of experience as an IT trainer and project manager to the Network. No stranger to the children's services community, Rhonda has been involved with the Network since its inception and is a past member of our Board of Directors. As a parent of a child with special needs, Rhonda has worked with many Network partners and support groups. She also helps lead the OAFCCD Parents as Partners project which is being rolled out across Ontario.

Some Network professionals have already been trained in single plan of care processes, tools and software. Many more training sessions are being scheduled so that everyone is equipped to ensure an effective transition for kids and families. Rhonda is coordinating and facilitating all training sessions.

1-day, half-day and customized training sessions available
Sessions are held in both York and Simcoe on a regularly scheduled basis. Trainings are conducted for 2 - 10 participants and range from 1-day intensive hands-on sessions to half-day electronic record refresher courses. Training can also be customized and tailored for agency or local team groups. Future training plans include the development of self-learning modules available online and on CD, to complement the in-person, hands-on sessions.

Training Schedules on Sharepoint
Training schedules are posted on Sharepoint, the Network's online collaboration site that is accessed by Network professionals only. You will need a password to enter the site. If you do not yet have a password (or have forgotten your password) please contact Debbie Bushby at bushbyd@rvh.on.ca and she'll get you set up. Go to Single Plan of Care Training - Team Calendar to view up to the minute training schedules.

Contact Rhonda to discuss and coordinate your training needs
You can book into one of the scheduled sessions or discuss your agency/group's training needs with Rhonda at 1-877-719-4795 ext. 2382 or email rjacobson@rogers.com

Vote on Top 10 Canadian Child Health Advances
In order to highlight the important contribution Canadian discoveries have made on health outcomes for children, The Canadian Child & Youth Health Coalition (CCYHC) is asking the children's healthcare community to vote on the Top 10 Canadian Advances in the Last 100 Years. The final ranking of the Top 10 Discoveries will be presented at the CCYHC Annual Symposium in October. As a Network of professionals committed to improving outcomes for children and youth, we encourage you to support the CCYHC's initiative by logging on to make your selection for the top Canadian discovery. Visit www.ccyhc.org/top10.html
between Sept.1 - Sept. 15 to cast your vote.

To learn more about Children's Treatment Network visit www.ctn-simcoeyork.ca
To submit news or information for inclusion in Network eBulletins please email info@ctn-simcoeyork.ca