News & Updates
NETWORK E-BULLETIN - DECEMBER 2007 EDITION
Lieutenant Governor opens One Roof Midland Local Team Site & December eBulletin
NEWS AT A GLANCE:- Lieutenant Governor David Onley opens “One Roof” Midland Local Team Site
- ‘Lunch for Your Team’ Winner!
- SPOTLIGHT ON … Canadian Association of Disabled Skiing
Lieutenant Governor David Onley opens “One Roof” Midland Local Team Site
On December 5th, the Honourable David Onley and his wife Ruth Ann joined Network children and families, local professionals and dignitaries to celebrate the official opening of One Roof, the new home of the Midland Local Team. Celebrations included tours of the new facility and demonstrations by local children and therapists.
(Top) David Onley “autographs” a commemorative sign during opening ceremonies. (Bottom) David and Ruth Ann Onley receive a special thank you card made by area children from 3-year-old Penetaguishene twins Dana and Colleen Lant. Mr. Onley, a former Midland resident talked about the importance of the new facility’s integrated services to people with disabilities in the area.
One Roof brings together 11 Network partners from child development, healthcare, mental health and community services serving adults and children with disabilities in north Simcoe. The new facility provides one-stop access to a full range of enhanced and integrated rehabilitation, support and specialty services, equipment and professionals.
(Top) Penetanguishene’s Dana Lant and physiotherapist Lucia Neilon from Orillia Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital show David Onley and Network CEO Bob Morton (bottom) how Dana uses a therapy ball to help develop her gross motor skills in One Roof’s Therapy Gym. (Right) Aaron Sibley, a 9-year-old from Midland struts his stuff for mom Laurene (back) and Mrs. Onley (left) using the parallel bars. Barb Wenzel, physiotherapist from Closing the Gap Healthcare Group works with Aaron to help him use straighter knees when walking.
One Roof is a meeting point for local therapists and professionals to access specialty equipment and assessment tools. Partner organizations located in the facility have enhanced opportunities to collaborate and integrate services which expand the community’s capacity to better serve local children and adults with disabilities.
Facilities include a dedicated Paediatric Therapy Gym, 4 specially equipped therapy and treatment rooms, a video conferencing centre, therapy observation rooms, online computer access and meetings rooms.
(Top) Cody Dempsey, a 3-year-old from Victoria Harbour and occupational therapist Angela Paylor with Soldier’s Memorial Hospital in Orillia have some fun in the Activity Room during a therapy session. (Bottom) Breckin Morrow’s mom Kirsta and 7-week-old baby sister Brielle watch as Breckin and her resource teacher Jessica Brown from Community Living Huronia’s Preschool Resource Services complete a screening assessment to investigate Breckin’s development and identify any areas of concern.
(Top) David Onley tours the video conferencing centre where Kim Gass, mother of a Midland 6-year-old and Jane Mayhew from Community Living Huronia’s Preschool Resource Services consult with behavioural specialist Angelo Boutsis from York Simcoe Behavourial Services, eliminating the need to travel long distances. (Bottom) Aaron Sibley makes his TV debut during an interview with A Channel at the celebration event!
Capital support for the One Roof building and equipment is provided by the Community Living Huronia Foundation and Children’s Treatment Network. Network partner organizations located at One Roof include:
- Catulpa Community Support Services
- Children’s Treatment Network - Midland Local Team Site
- CAP-C (Community Action Program for Children)
- Community Living Huronia - Preschool Services & Community Networks of Specialized Care
- Mikey’s Place for Autism
- Orillia Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital - Children’s Therapy Program
- Royal Victoria Hospital - Preschool Speech & Language Program
- Simcoe Community Services - Simcoe County Infant Development Program
- York Central Hospital - Behaviour Management Services
‘Lunch for Your Team’ Winner!
Congratulations to Laurie Rife , from Closing The Gap Healthcare Group! You have won a pizza lunch for your Network Team, to be served by Network CEO Bob Morton. The Network’s executive assistant Sian Waggitt will be in touch with you to coordinate a date for your lunch and help you develop your invitation list.
Laurie is one of 774 Network partner professionals who are now using SharePoint, the Network’s online collaboration and communication centre. As announced in last month’s eBulletin, all professionals who registered and entered their contact information on SharePoint before December 12th were entered into the raffle. SharePoint allows you to connect to your Network Local Team and collaborate with your Network colleagues, read about single plan of care, book single plan of care process and electronic record training and book facilities at Local Team Sites. If you have not yet registered for SharePoint, please contact silvie.thickett@ctn-simcoeyork.ca <mailto:silvie.thickett@ctn-simcoeyork.ca> or call 1-877-719-4795 ext 2379.
SPOTLIGHT ON … Canadian Association of Disabled Skiing
As part of our commitment to expand recreational activities for kids with disabilities, we are delighted to announce that CADS-Ontario has joined the Network. As part of the Canadian Association of Disabled Skiing, CADS-Ontario is a volunteer non-profit organization that provides adaptive skiing and snowboarding lessons for persons with disabilities in five ski areas in Southern Ontario.
With its slogan, “Creating possibilities for people with disabilities”, CADS-Ontario is committed to helping skiers with a wide variety of physical and/or intellectual disabilities learn to ski with confidence. All instructors are certified and participate in continuing education to keep pace with advancements in teaching methods and equipment. Children as young as five years of age can take part in the program.
The CADS-Ontario programs provide a safe and secure environment for persons with disabilities to enjoy an exciting winter activity. Each skier has a dedicated instructor and volunteer and appropriate adaptive equipment so they can enjoy a personalized ski experience that has been designed to meet their specific needs and abilities. Volunteers are also on hand to provide added support for each skier.
CADS runs half-day programs once a week for children and teens out of the following locations: Oshawa Ski Club; Sir Sams in Haliburton; and Horseshoe Valley, Heights of Horseshoe and Snow Valley in Huronia. Program fees are approximately $155 for eight weeks (including membership fee). For more information, parents can visit www.disabledskiingontario.com <http://www.disabledskiingontario.com> to get your kids out on the slopes!
Network Service Coordinator, Sarah Horton from the Regional Municipality of York also volunteers/instructs in Huronia and serves as a member of the Board of Directors for CADS-Ontario. She says that the organization provides a unique opportunity for individuals with disabilities to discover the joys of skiing in a caring and engaging environment. “Skiing is a sport that can be enjoyed by everyone. CADS-Ontario believes there are no barriers and accepts people of all stages and areas of needs.”
She adds that the program has a variety of adaptive equipment that has been specially designed for a broad range of disabilities. “There are also volunteers from high school students to retirees, who are willing to work with an individual to allow them to perform to the best of their ability – and of course we are always looking for more people with lots of commitment and enthusiasm to help us out. This is a wonderful program for parents who are looking for winter recreational activities for their kids.”
On behalf of everyone at Children’s Treatment Network, we wish you and yours a wonderful holiday season. See you in the New Year!
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