Special Needs Strategy

Special Needs Strategy

The ministries of Children and Youth Services, Community and Social Services, Education and Health and Long-Term Care are moving forward with a strategy to improve services for children and youth with special needs in Ontario guided by the following vision: “An Ontario where children and youth with special needs get the timely and effective services they need to participate fully at home, at school, in the community, and as they prepare to achieve their goals for adulthood.” First steps in the Special Needs Strategy include:

  • Developing and implementing a new standard developmental screen for preschool children;
  • Putting in place coordinated child- and family-centred service planning for children and youth with multiple and/or complex needs; and
  • Working with communities to develop local implementation plans for an integrated approach to the delivery of child and youth rehabilitation services (speech-language therapy, occupational therapy, and physiotherapy).

This site includes information, tools and reports for communities as we work together to build a system that is accessible, coordinated and centred on the needs of children, youth and families.

Areas of Focus

More information about each of the first three initiatives under the Special Needs Strategy can be found by selecting the links below.

Helping children when frightening things happen

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Helping children when frightening  things happen
Many of you may be wondering how to support your children to deal with the recent events in Ottawa. Below you will find some ideas that you might find helpful in the days and weeks to come:
It is important to remind children that this was a very rare event and that they are safe.  Children may be worried because the events were “close to home” and they may need to be reassured by reminding them that this was a very rare event and that is why there is so much coverage about it in the media.
It is important to answer the questions that children have but not to provide too much detail.  If the child wants more information, they will ask and then you can decide whether it is information you want them to have.  This will depend on the question they are asking, their age and if you think the answer will be useful to them in their understanding of the situation.
Children need to be protected from too much information about the situation.  We may not realize just how many places kids get exposed to information that they may not need to know or have the ability to understand.  Examples can be the news playing in the car, news channels sending out “live” or updated information on a regular basis, overhearing adults talking.
Children need to be reassured that they are safe to continue with their usual activities (school, after school activities, etc.).  Maintaining a regular routine is a strong message to children that things are ok.
Set an example for your children.  Parental attitude and reaction can have a very strong influence on children and they will look to you to see if they can feel safe and secure.
There are places to contact if you are concerned about how your child is reacting or if you feel that you need support.  One of those places is Open Doors for Lanark Children and Youth, your local children’s mental health experts.
Carleton Place  (613) 257-8260 – Smiths Falls  (613) 283-8260 – Perth  (613) 264-1415
www.opendoors.on.ca

ASIST Workshop in Almonte

 

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ASIST is a two-day workshop that teaches how to intervene and save a life from suicide. Over a million people around the world have participated in this award-winning program.

 

Most people thinking about suicide don’t actually want to die, but they need help deciding to stay alive. You don’t need any prior training to attend ASIST—just a willingness to make a difference.

 

SAVE THE DATE!

When: February 5 and 6, 2015

Where: Mississippi Mills – exact location TBD

Cost: FREE

To inquire or register, please email admincp@opendoors.on.ca

ASISTMiss Mills

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