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Who?
Our Kids Network represents the combination of
the work initiated by two groups – the Early Years and The School
Years - who focused on the needs of Halton’s children, prenatal to
18 years.
Our Kids – the
Early Years is a diverse,
multidisciplinary coalition representing various professions,
organizations and the community working together for the well being
of children in Halton, prenatal to six. The Vision of Our Kids – The
Early Years states: “Our vision is of a vibrant, healthy community
in which all children thrive and reach their full developmental
potential”. The results of their extensive needs assessment related
to children in Halton aged 0 to 6 can be found in the document
“A Vision for Children in Halton: Report Card”.
Our Kids – the
School Years was composed of
representatives from Region wide services including education,
health, social services and the police. They recognized the impact
of recent research that concluded “when children and youth feel
positively connected to their community environment (whether school,
home or neighbourhood) and have a strong sense of belonging, they
are more likely to achieve academically, have a well defined sense
of self and are less likely to become involved in risky behaviours.”
The School Years committee recognized that no single group or
individual can address all the needs of any one family or child.
Their action plan is contained in the document:
Backgrounder on Our
Kids – The School Years. They committed to working together with the
Early Years Committee to identify an integrated approach to working
with children and families, ensuring an effective and efficient
delivery of services.
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What?
Region wide organizations, dealing with children
and families in Halton came forward to work on finding a new way of
doing business. The needs assessment was complete. A Vision for
Children in Halton – Report Card provides a unique comprehensive
report that provides neighbourhood specific information on the
developmental readiness for children, prenatal to six. The
Backgrounder on Our Kids – The School Years outlines the two phased
implementation plan designed to develop a system of service
integration and collaboration that simplifies access to services and
is in tune with the needs of children and families. A core component
of the plan is based upon the ‘ecological model’, a model that takes
into account the importance of the family, neighbourhood and school
in shaping a child’s life. In October 2004 the “Integrated Service
Protocol” was signed by Senior Executive on behalf of the partners:
Halton District School Board, Halton Catholic District School Board,
Region of Halton - Health Department and Children’s Services, Halton
Regional Police Service, Halton Children’s Aid Society, Transitions
for Youth and Halton Child and Youth Services. The commitment was
made to provide both financial and human resources to help
“identify new approaches to planning and new arrangements for
service delivery based upon collaboration and cooperation.”
Representatives from the organizations that signed the Protocol,
representing both the Early Years and the School Years became the
Our Kids Steering Committee for Integrated Services.
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Why?
“The most effective programs
co-ordinate universal screening, early intervention and remedial
services within and between education, health, social and recreation
services.”
Recognizing the demands on government and
community resources, it is critical to explore new ways to support
neighbourhoods, families and children and avoid duplication of
effort. Children and families face complex and multi-faceted
problems: these problems do not occur in isolation of one another.
We recognize that there is a cost in human and fiscal terms
associated with the unmet needs of children, which is at epidemic
proportions (school failure, unemployment, poverty, crime…). We must
find a new way of supporting children and families by providing
services needed to promote their development and prevent future long
term and costly problems.
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How?
Four neighbourhoods were identified: Aldershot
(Burlington), Acton, West Milton, and River Oaks (Oakville). The
neighbourhoods were chosen based upon an assessment of a number of
risk factors as outlined in the Vision Report Card.
Our Kids will work within the four
neighbourhoods to establish hubs, primarily at schools or other
natural meeting places (Ontario Early Years Centres, community
centers, churches) for the families who live there.
Hubs will provide a local, neighbourhood based
resource and means for families, schools and the community to work
together to ensure that all children thrive and reach their full
potential. Community stakeholders will work with Local Planning
Teams based within each Hub community to identify the gaps and
barriers that are preventing our community’s young people from
developing to their full potential. As gaps are identified,
strategies will be developed locally to reduce the barriers.
Through collaboration, gaps in service are
addressed and overlaps eliminated. An integrated approach ensures
the most efficient and effective delivery of service to
neighbourhoods, children and families.
In Aldershot the Our Kids Hub ‘office’ is
located at Holy Rosary School on Plains Road; in Acton the Hub
office is located at Robert Little School on School Lane; in Milton
it will be located in Our Lady of Victory School on Commercial
Street. Plans are being developed for the River Oaks Hub in
Oakville. As we develop strategies, many satellite locations
including other schools, recreation centers, early year’s centers,
churches, libraries… will play a valuable role in hosting and
delivering local programs and services.
Conclusion
In integrated service initiatives, a range of
service providers work together to identify new approaches to
planning and new arrangements of service delivery based on
collaboration and cooperation.
In order to provide effective intervention to
reduce risk and promote resilience among children and adolescents
aged 0 to 18, Our Kids will develop and implement an integrated
delivery of services. This approach will include both formal and
informal organizations and caregivers. As Helen Keller once stated:
“Alone we can do so little, but together we can achieve so much!”
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