New toll free number connects kids with multiple disabilities to full range of services

Launch of first integrated, coordinated care model for children with special needs bridges service gaps and shortens waitlists

ONTARIO, June 1, 2006 – For the first time, families of children with multiple disabilities in York Region and Simcoe County have a single point of contact to access an integrated plan of care. Today marks the official launch of Children’s Treatment Network of Simcoe York’s new toll-free number. By dialing 1-866-377-0286 parents of kids with special physical, developmental and communications needs connect to the first service delivery model that links regional healthcare, recreation, education, social and community resources from over 25 agencies and organizations. The Network provides a single plan of care and coordinates services from many agencies through all stages of a child’s development from birth through to age 19.  There are over 4,500 children with multiple disabilities in Simcoe and York whose families are currently challenged with battling waitlists and navigating and coordinating services for their children as they mature.

“All of our partners care for kids with multiple disabilities and are committed to the single plan of care service model,” says Bob Morton, Chief Executive Officer, Children's Treatment Network of Simcoe York. “Now with the launch of the toll-free number, we have a mechanism that allows service providers to work closely together to respond to the real needs of these families in our communities. Families have one place to call to get the help they need to navigate their way through a complex range of children’s services as their children grow. It’s all about making services more accessible and these families’ lives easier.” He adds that to date, the Network and partners have taken over 600 high priority needs children off waitlists by expanding critically needed services and resources in the community, The Network will continue to bring more services closer to home, so families won’t need to travel long distances for treatment.

A team approach for each child
Network services are provided through Local Teams made up of professionals and specialists from partner organizations who are dedicated to serving and monitoring each child’s care and development. Parents calling the toll-free number will be connected with a coordinator who will ask a series of questions to assess their child’s needs. The child and family will then be assigned a team to develop a plan of care and coordinate all the required services. The plan is updated and changed as the child’s needs evolve.  Funded by the Ministry of Children and Youth Services, Network services are free.

Laurie Livingston, a Simcoe parent whose 6-year old child Madison requires multiple services for a variety of physical and development disabilities due to a chromosomal disorder, notes that toll free access to services is critical to parents in her situation whose child’s needs change as they grow and develop.  “Transition points like entering school take on a whole new meaning when your child needs daily physiotherapy, speech and language therapy and specialized teaching support at school in order to fully participate and grow alongside their friends. Coordinating the support needed throughout the transitions in their lives is tough on your own. Now we know we have a community behind us and help is just a phone call away.”

“We were looking at a challenging future for our child,” says York parent Angie Stallone, whose 2-year old son Luca has been diagnosed with global development delay. “We knew coordinating all the services he’ll need to reach his fullest potential would be difficult, especially as he gets older. We had some big concerns, but having a single point of access through the Children’s Treatment Network to a team that is dedicated to our son’s development to adulthood has taken a big weight off our shoulders.”

Study will measure impact and effectiveness of new model
Mr. Morton reports that the Network is also planning a comprehensive study that will prove instrumental in evaluating the new model’s impact on service delivery to families of children with disabilities. The results of this two-year study, which is being led by highly regarded research specialist Dr. Gina Browne of McMaster University, will be published internationally. The results will be used to inform policy makers on the value of integrated services for vulnerable individuals, as well as provide valuable insight into the short- and long-term benefits that integrated, coordinated care can bring in quantifiable terms to the community and the service delivery system in general. “Since the Network is a new and unique model, this research will be vital to future service delivery initiatives in Canada.”

About the Children’s Treatment Network of Simcoe York
The Children’s Treatment Network is a new not-for-profit service delivery model for children with multiple disabilities and their families in Simcoe County and York Region. This unique integrated network model will build on the strengths of existing service providers, including healthcare, recreational, educational, social and community resources, to create a revolutionary new system that provides a single point of contact and single plan of care for children and youth from birth to 19 who have special physical, developmental, and communication needs. The Children’s Treatment Network is funded by the Ministry of Children and Youth Services. For further information, please visit www.ctn-simcoeyork.ca

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