ASSINIBOINE NORTH CHILDREN’S THERAPY INITIATIVE

BACKGROUND Assiniboine North Coalition is one of two coalitions operating in the Assiniboine Regional Health Authority Children’s Therapy Initiative Working Committee is an ad hoc committee which was charged with the task of developing a proposal and overseeing the development and implementation of the CTI project

COMPOSITION OF C.T.I. WORKING COMMITTEE Representatives from: –Regional Health Authority –Relevant School Divisions –Family Services and Housing –Rehabilitation Centre for Children –Additional members from Assiniboine North Coalition

Prior to C.T.I. Public Health Nurses - preschool children were developmentally screened at various stages School divisions – Speech/Language Pathologists in place Regional Health Authority – 1.6 E.F.T. Preschool Speech/Language in place Audiological Assessments – accessible only in Brandon through provincial audiologist Audiology Screening – school-aged children by school divisions, preschoolers referred to Brandon-based audiologist

Infant Hearing Screening – accessible only to babies born in Brandon Regional Health Centre (coming soon to 3 “delivering” hospitals in the region) School Therapy Services – limited by school division resources and available during the school year only Private/Home School – no services available Aboriginal Students Attending Provincial Schools – services available from School Therapy Services Aboriginal Students Attending On-Reserve Schools – services not available (jurisdiction) Preschool OT/PT – POTC if eligible for C.S.S.; all others referred to Brandon Regional Health Authority (Assiniboine Center) where long wait list existed

VISION To provide appropriate, accessible and integrated therapy services to children from birth to 21 years of age residing in the geographic area of Assiniboine (North) Regional Health Authority.

MISSION To provide coordinated, regionally-based therapy services that will be based upon the foundation of a common intake process and that will assist children in the region to reach their full potential.

GOALS 1.Services will follow the family centered service model. 2.Services will be community-based in locations best suited for therapists and families to deliver and receive services recognizing that fiscal and geographic realities must be taken into account 3.Services will be accessible and equitable for all children according to their needs.

4.Services will be as seamless, timely and integrated as possible. 5.All services will be comprehensive, provided within the context of a general service plan that addresses health, education, and social service needs. 6.Services will be sensitive to culture, gender, ability and racial differences. 7. Services will be provided based on “Best Practice” where applicable. 8. Services will be based on a commitment to an integrated case management system with a common intake process.

PLAN PHASE 1 Enhance OT/PT services provided to school-aged children (no limits to referrals and increased visits to children already on caseload) Increase service availability to 12 months from 10 months Increase the delivery and flexibility of service Provide seamless deliver of service between preschool and school aged children Provide services to preschool children who do not qualify for POTC Make services available to private/home schooled children Centralize intake for referrals to OT/PT (with common referral form) Develop reporting form Identify gaps in provision of services Research best practices in service delivery Evaluate effectiveness of Phase 1 Working Committee decided to address the issues outlined in phases:

PHASE 2 Respond to identified needs from evaluation of Phase 1 Review the delivery of other therapy services (ie. speech/language, audiological services) to all children in the region

ACTIONS TO DATE Contracted Rehabilitation Centre for Children to provide OT/PT services to preschool and school- aged children for 12 months of the year RESULT – Seamless delivery between preschool and school-aged children. RESULT – Since agency had already been providing services, supervision, standards of practice, data collection were already in place.

Developed a central intake process for both preschool and school-aged children referrals. RESULT – Formation of a central intake process RESULT – Allocation of 0.10 E.F.T. as Intake Designate RESULT – Better tracking of referrals RESULT– Referral form updated to include Speech/Language RESULT – Contracted for new logo, completed.

Contracted Proactive Information Services, Inc. to identify gaps and research best practices in service delivery. RESULT – Final report received

Enhanced funding provided enhanced service RESULT – More children are being referred and seen RESULT – Children are being seen more frequently RESULT – Inservicing provided to educational partners RESULT – Children are seen at sites other than school RESULT – CTI Working Committee is contracting SLP services to address referrals from private schools/home schooled children

Ongoing evaluation of enhanced program Result – Review central intake process Result – Review current referral forms Result – Review reporting forms

Referral for Therapy Services Consent for exchange of information Pre-School Concerns Checklist School Concerns Checklist

Consent for exchange of information

Pre-School Concerns Checklist

School Concerns Checklist

CHALLENGES Meeting the needs of Aboriginal students who reside and are schooled on reserve Meeting the speech/language needs of children aged 0 to 21 (private and home schooled children) Data collection and submission of reports to province Supervision of private SLP contractor Taking time to coordinate and administer program from current employers

CONTACT INFORMATION Debbie Parrott Phone: ext Lisa Martin Phone: