NETWORK E-BULLETIN - JANUARY 2008 EDITION

Network brings Parents As Partners to Simcoe & January eBulletin

NEWS AT A GLANCE:

• Network brings Parents As Partners program to  Simcoe
• Working Together to chart the Network’s  Future
• Network kids, parents & partners in the  news!
• Network Evolution Snapshot
  

Network brings Parents As Partners program to Simcoe

The Network has recently partnered with OAFCCD (Ontario Association of Families of Children with Communication Disorders), to expand the reach of its Parents as Partners program to Simcoe. This program, which is put on by service providers in selected communities, is focused on helping parents gain an understanding of how to partner with service providers to maximize their children’s potential at school.

Training is designed to familiarize parents with the special education programs and resources available through the school boards.  It also educates parents about the "jargon" of special education and about their role in the transition process.  The fun activities help parents prepare for case conferences and to participate in the development of education plans for their child.

Sara Koke, Clinical Director for Children’s Treatment Network notes that since the program has been run in York Region for some time, “We realized the value and wanted it brought to Simcoe as well. I can’t tell you how many delayed kids arrive on the school’s doorstep that are not prepared. Parents as Partners offers important support to both the parents and the school system.”

Alison Morse, Provincial Co-ordinator for the OAFCCD has been coordinating the initiative in Simcoe. Since the fall, OAFCCD has been working with a variety of Network partners - including service providers and school boards – to implement the expanded program and inform families within the community.

To date, OAFCCD has met with the Simcoe Early Intervention Council members, as well as held two staff training sessions at Simcoe Community Services, which were attended by 50 staff from local agencies. Other training sessions are planned in the coming months. Simcoe County District School Board is also committed to partnering on the project and is currently engaged in discussions on integrating workshop resources into community transition activities.

Sara notes that while the OAFCCD is developing the program in the community, ultimately it is the community organizations that will be responsible for sustaining it over the long term. “Without everyone’s commitment and the Network’s support, we would not have seen this program in Simcoe for another three years.”

For more information, parents and professionals can contact Alison Morse, 519-842-9506, abmorse@kwic.com <mailto:abmorse@kwic.com>

A short Parents as Partners tip sheet entitled “Strategies for Effective Partnerships” is posted on the Network’s website  www.ctn-simcoeyork.ca/resources/ParAsPart.pdf <http://www.ctn-simcoeyork.ca/resources/ParAsPart.pdf> . For more tips and information check the Parents as Partners website at www.parents-as-partners.ca <http://www.parents-as-partners.ca/>

Working Together to chart the Network’s Future

This year represents an ideal opportunity for families, agencies and community leaders to reflect on Children’s Treatment Network accomplishments to date, and refresh our vision in setting the path for our future. Since receiving approval to create a new integrated services delivery system in late 2004 and the Network’s official launch in June 2006, all of us are working in partnership to build the Network based on our initial vision and goals.

It is now time to check our progress against that vision, review what needs to be changed, and gain a clearer understanding of our next stage of evolution. That will involve listening to Network participants, family members and other stakeholders to share milestones, identify opportunities and priorities, pinpoint any gaps and make adjustments that may be required to keep us on the right track moving forward.

To that end, we will have conversations with a broad range of Network participants to help us clarify where we are and where we want to go. Many of you will be asked to share your own thoughts on these topics through informal dialogues, email surveys and/or discussion groups. The cumulative results of these dialogues will identify future directions and priorities for the Network, and be shared at the Network’s annual meeting in June.

“There is quite a range of people involved in the Network that we would like to engage in discussions,” says Sandy Thurston, Director Planning, Network Development & Evaluation. “That includes families in local areas, front line staff, supervisors and managers, senior leaders and Board members, funding agencies, planning coalitions and other human service networks. Through this input we can better understand our next steps and problem-solve tougher questions, such as how we make decisions together, and what additional network processes need to be developed.”

“'Because the Network is not a traditional organization or operation, it requires that we do things differently to engage our partners and determine the path to our ‘shared future'. This collaborative process has been instrumental in getting us to where we are today,” says Heather Martin, Chair of the Governance Committee, and Vice-Chair of the Children’s Treatment Network Board. “All of us are focused on the goal of helping children with multiple disabilities in our communities. As such, we each have a role to play in finding the solutions. It is only through the open and transparent sharing of information that we can build a consensus on priorities and direction.”

Bob Morton, Network CEO notes that the collaborative process will always raise the bar on the Network’s vision. “It helps each of us see with clarity the role we play, what it means to work as a Network and what we can achieve together. Many people have worked to build the Network to this point. We know that the same commitment will continue as we look to our future.”

Network kids, parents & partners in the news!

Word about the Network’s new care model and its effect on parents, kids and professionals is spreading!  Watch for news stories that are hitting the streets in two publications that are well read by Canadian professionals.

Rehab & Community Care Magazine has published an article entitled “Developing a Continuum of Care for Jessica”.  The article features Jessica Sanders and her Network single plan of care team and is authored by team members Diane Dekkers, North Simcoe Community Care Access Centre and Linda Abernethy, Resource Teacher with Simcoe Community Services. Click here to view a copy of the article.

On Feburary 12th, the Medical Post is running a story written by York Central Hospital’s Dr. Umberto Cellupica and Dr. Gerald Friedman about how the Network’s Developmental Assessment and Consultation Services Team is shortening wait times and reducing the need to travel for services.  Titled “Children’s Treatment Network a model for Interprofessional Care”, the article also describes the impact of the Network’s interdisciplinary care team approach on physicians, paediatricians and families. The article will be posted on the Network’s website as soon as it is published.  

• Transition to Single Plan  of Care:   160 kids have  started the process
• Recruitment:   83 % of target  reached; 71 additional professionals  hired
• Electronic Record &  Single Plan of Care Training:   346 professionals  trained
• 2 Resource Centres and 4  of 8 Local Team Sites Operational (Barrie, Richmond Hill, Alliston, Midland,  Georgina, Markham)
• Research  Study:   60 % of  families needed are confirmed to  participate