NETWORK E-BULLETIN - JUNE 2008 EDITION

Over 250 attend Symposium. New Family Resource Site launched

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 40 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 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:

• Network named winner of Rotman Award by SickKids Foundation
• Over 250 parents and professionals attend Network Symposium
• New Family Resource Site Launched
• Network Partners in the News!
• Network Evolution Snapshot

Network Wins Rotman Award! SickKids Foundation makes announcement at Network Symposium

There were cheers and smiles all around as the Network was named the 2008 Rotman Award winner at the 2nd Annual Symposium on June 16th at the Nottawasaga Inn. (Top) Joanne Kviring, National Grants, SickKids Foundation congratulates Network CEO Bob Morton on winning the $100,000 award. (Bottom) Joanne and Bob are joined onstage by the Network’s Chairman of the Board Graham Constantine (centre) who accepted the Award on behalf of all Network partners, parents and professionals.

Parents, partners and professionals attending the Network’s Symposium greeted the Award announcement with a standing ovation. The Network is the first organization in Ontario to receive the prestigious Award. It is awarded to one organization each year whose practices and vision embody the best in paediatric home and community care innovation. Joanne Kviring from SickKids Foundation explained that the Award selection committee felt it was important to support further development of the Network’s single plan of care system and enable others to learn from it. They felt the Network’s approach could be easily translated from region to region across the country and was exactly the kind of collaborative thinking that the Award was created for.

The Award will help Network partners continue to both improve the system and the way services are delivered. Part of the Rotman Award’s mandate is to enable others to learn from new approaches and innovations. So the Network will be sharing what we’ve learned with regions and communities across Canada who could benefit from this kind of family-centred, integrated service delivery model.

For all the details on the Rotman Award visit the Network’s website at www.ctn-simcoeyork.ca

Over 250 parents and professionals attend the Network’s 2nd Annual Symposium on June 16th

It was an exciting day of learning, dialogue and discussion for over 70 parents and family members, 160 front line professionals and 21 Board members and CEOs of partner organizations who took over the Nottawasaga Inn’s conference rooms on June 16th.

The day kicked off with lunch and an Information Fair, followed by the Rotman Award announcement and keynote address by Dr. Gina Browne.

Parents spent the afternoon with a panel of experts in a Special Program for Family Members, while Board members and CEOs collaborated on future directions and priorities for the Network.

Front Line Professionals and Clinicians chose from 10 workshops providing information on new programs, innovative approaches and services supporting kids and families in the area.

The Symposium’s success was due in large part to the contributions of our four sponsors: Closing the Gap Healthcare Group, Goldcare, Healthtech and Motion Specialties. Our sincere appreciation for their support.

Luncheon & Information Fair a crowd pleaser

The Information Fair featured 14 exhibits showcasing services and special programs offered by a range of Network partners including Blue Hills Child & Family Centre, Campana Systems Inc., York Support Services Network, Closing the Gap Healthcare Group, Markham-Stouffville Hospital Child Development Programs, Learning Disabilities Association of Simcoe County, School Specialty/Abilitations, Camp Awakening Inc., New Path Youth & Family Services, Motion Specialties, Simcoe Community Services, Kinark Child and Family Services and Early Intervention Services of York Region.

Keynote speakers Bob Morton and Dr. Gina Browne deliver the news

(Top) Network CEO Bob Morton gives a round of applause to parents and professionals when he talked about the accomplishments made over the past year. In addition to delivering additional rehab services to over 3,300 kids, Network partners dramatically reduced travel and wait time by bringing 4 specialty services to the community. For a full list of 2007- 2008 Network Progress Highlights, click here.

(Bottom) Dr. Gina Browne provided everyone with an update on the research study being conducted by McMaster University to measure the impact of the effectiveness of the Network’s single plan of care approach.

(Above) In addition to providing baseline data and expected impact on the system, Dr. Browne spoke with many parents about the challenges they face and the effect the Network’s team approach is expected to have on meeting families’ needs.

Program for Parents feature a panel of experts

(Above) Highly acclaimed special education consultant Lindsay Moir kept parents riveted as he provided advice and tips on what families need to do when your child is ready to start school. He also gave invaluable information about services and supports available and offered advice on how to better navigate the education system as your child progresses.

Lindsay was joined by experts from Behaviour Management Services of York and Simcoe, Simcoe Community Services, and Kinark Child and Family Services who provided families with information and counsel on behaviour management, socialization and respite care.

Front Line Professionals & Clinicians get updates on hot topics
Over 160 professionals participated in a total of 10 workshops focused on recent innovations and programs helping to fill gaps, reduce waitlists and provide more support to kids and families in York and Simcoe.

Nineteen experts from Network partner organizations addressed a range of topics. They included information on programs that are expanding capacity to diagnose kids with autism to enhanced augmentative communications, feeding assessment and services, fetal alcohol syndrome and acquired brain injury services. Expert panels also provided tips on how to facilitate a single plan of care meeting, conduct home safety assessments and advances in social skills programs for adolescents with Asperger’s.

(top)Tonya Millsap from Catulpa Community Support Services shared a comprehensive approach to Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Disorder in Simcoe County. (Bottom) Amber Bartlett (at podium), a speech language pathologist with the Simcoe County Preschool Speech and Language Program and (back left) Dr. Nicky Jones-Stokreef, Network developmental paediatrician with Orillia Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital delivered the latest information about the ADOS (Autism Diagnostic Observational Schedule) Initiative and how it is enhancing local diagnostic capacity in the community.

(Top) Judy Andersen, Service Coordinator, York Region District School Board and Susie Recchi, Service Coordinator with Early Intervention Services York Region packed the room with a working session that provided Tips for Coordinating a Successful Single Plan of Care Meeting while Brenda Jackson (bottom), Aboriginal Capacity Developer with Barrie Area Native Advisory Circle updated professionals on the Network’s Special Projects Supporting Aboriginals.

Network partner Board members and CEOs chart the Network’s future

(Above) Over 20 Board members and CEOs of Network partner organizations worked together to discuss priorities and set next steps in the Network’s ongoing development.

Did you miss the Symposium?
If you were not able to attend this year’s Symposium, you can still obtain some of the valuable information that was provided. Many of the information handouts from the workshops have been posted on the website. Please click here to view a list and print out copies.

New Family Resource Site Launched

Parents and family members touring the Symposium’s Information Fair were the first to test drive the new Family Resource Site, an interactive feature of the Network’s website. Developed by parents for parents, the Site is dedicated to giving families access to information and each other, all with the click of a mouse.

(Top) Marion Fair and Lisa Fenik and (bottom) Susie Recchi and Theresa Meininger-Sanders try out the new Site. Families can get information on a specific diagnosis, funding programs and local support groups, as well as share tips, knowledge and challenges with other families.

There are links to the new Family Resource Site on the Network website Home page and on the Parents and Children’s page. To connect visit www.ctn-simcoeyork.ca.

Network Partners in the News!

The June issue Hospital News features a story about Network partners and the impact the ‘single plan of care’ approach is having on Markham junior kindergarten student Kiyaan Visram and his family. To read the article click here.

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NETWORK EVOLUTION SNAPSHOT – as of June 2008

• Transition to Single Plan of Care: 230 kids have started the process
• Recruitment: 90% of target reached; 76 additional professionals hired
• Electronic Record: 407 authorized users
• Single Plan of Care Process Training: 480 professionals trained
• 2 Resource Centres and 6 of 8 Local Team Sites Operational (Barrie, Richmond Hill, Alliston, Midland, Georgina, Markham)
• Research Study: 87% of families needed are confirmed to participate

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To learn more about Children’s Treatment Network visit www.ctn-simcoeyork.ca.

To submit news or information for inclusion in “Updated from Network Members” please email info@ctn-simcoeyork.ca.