New Resource Centre brings more treatment and new services to children with multiple disabilities in Simcoe County

New Resource Centre brings more treatment and new services to children with multiple disabilities in Simcoe County

ONTARIO, September 12, 2006 -Children's Treatment Network of Simcoe York is helping meet the needs of over 1700 children with multiple disabilities in Simcoe County with the official opening of its first Resource Centre in Barrie. Located in The Common Roof building, the Simcoe Resource Centre will bring badly needed specialty services closer to home for families who've had to travel miles to get the treatments they need. For the first time, kids with multiple disabilities in Simcoe County will have access to a wide range of enhanced and integrated rehabilitation and child development services, equipment and professionals at one location. Network members from healthcare, education, recreation and community services organizations serving kids with special needs collaborated to develop the Centre, which also houses the first dedicated Paediatric Therapy Gym in Simcoe. Local families and professionals

from the Network's member organizations joined in the opening celebrations, which included hands-on demonstrations of the therapies, treatments and specialty services that will be provided by Network partners at the Centre. Children with special needs from a number of Simcoe communities along with therapists and specialists demonstrated some of the therapies, services and treatments available at the new facility.

The new Centre provides local families with another point of access to enhanced Occupational Therapy, Speech and Language Therapy and Physiotherapy. New specialty services currently include Augmentative Communication (computer technologies to support children who do not have full capability to speak), Paediatric Diagnostic Assessment services and Feeding and Swallowing clinics. Seating and Mobility and Orthotics services will be available in the fall.

According to Bob Morton, Chief Executive Officer, Children's Treatment Network of Simcoe York, bringing these

services to the local community means some parents of children with multiple disabilities will no longer have to drive long distances or be placed on long waiting lists for specialty services. "This Centre will be a tremendous resource for the children's services community and the families we serve. It's also a significant milestone in the evolution of the Children's Treatment Network.

The Centre will be a focal point for a team approach to providing each child with a single plan of care through all the phases of their development. The Network isn't about bricks and mortar. It's about providing locations and resources to assist Network partners in working more closely together to integrate the services we are bringing to families in need."

The Resource Centre in Simcoe is the first of two facilities being developed to service the local needs of children with multiple disabilities, their families and Network partners. The second Centre, which will be located in York, will be opening in early 2007 to provide more access to specialized services that will be

available in the fall for a potential 2800 children and their families in the Region. By the end of 2007, eight additional Local Teams of professionals will be on the ground in Simcoe and York, expanding the Network's capacity to provide coordinated, integrated services in the community.

Barrie parent Cindy DeCarlo is excited about the new Resource Centre and the impact Children's Treatment Network is having on her son Mitchell, a 4 year old with Autism. "Mitchell has just started Junior Kindergarten at a local public school and that means he has recently been discharged from his preschool occupational therapy services.

With the Network's expanded services for high needs children, Mitchell will continue to receive occupational therapy at home and at school. These services are needed to make his transition into school a success!" She adds that the new Resource Centre will also be a great central source of information and support for parents. "It's wonderful to have a wide range of resources at your fingertips

and meet other parents who are facing the same hurdles and challenges."

About Children's Treatment Network of Simcoe York

The Children's Treatment Network of Simcoe York was launched to the public in June 2006. It is a new notfor profit service delivery model for children with multiple disabilities and their families in Simcoe County and York Region.

This unique integrated network model builds on the strengths of existing service providers to expand and coordinate available services in the community, link resources, build capacity and help reduce wait lists.

By dialing 1-866-3770286 parents of kids with physical, developmental and communications needs can connect to an integrated delivery model that links healthcare, recreation, education, social and community resources from over 25 agencies and organizations. Local Teams made up of professionals and specialists from member agencies collaborate to develop a single plan of care and coordinate services for children with physical and developmental needs from birth to the age of 19.

As part of the publicly funded system under the Ministry of Children and Youth Services, Children's Treatment Network services are free.

For further information, visit www.ctnsimcoeyork. ca