In the fall of 2011, Grandview Children's Centre initiated a strategic plan renewal process. In the dynamic environment of a growing region, developments in children's rehabilitation treatment, challenging economic times for Ontario and increasing numbers of children and youth with special needs a responsive plan was needed.

The Grandview Children's Centre Board of Trustees approved "Inspiring Possibilities": the 2012-2017 Strategic Plan for Grandview. The Plan will be officially released at our June, 2012 staff BBQ celebration.

Three key imperatives reflect the focus needed to fulfill our renewed vision and mission:

·         Service delivery, Quality, Safety and Performance

·         Transformation and Integration

·         Innovation and Practice Exchange

Please watch our website www.grandviewcc.ca where the full plan will be posted.

We start our new plan in a positive place; dedicated individuals serve as staff, volunteers and Board Trustees. The Centre has earned respect and a positive reputation. It enjoys constructive relationships with stakeholders including Grandview Children's Foundation, Campbell Children's School and a range of community partners and professionals. All our strengths are acknowledged and appreciated.

We seek now to challenge ourselves to go to the next level and to make a bigger difference for more clients, inspiring possibilities for our children, youth and their families. We approach this challenge with confidence and commitment based on the hope of our mission;  the greatest need we see, knowing we can help and our extensive expertise.

We look forward to celebrating our accomplishments each step of the way with you.

Steve and Christopher in their "cool" shirts

Christopher Barker-Haley, age 11 ½, is a kid with a great sense of humour. He also possesses the admirable character qualities of being honest and straight-forward.

About a year ago, his Mom, Joanne Barker, began to notice that Christopher seemed to be struggling with his self-esteem. Christopher explained to his Mom that he was frustrated and didn't feel understood by peers and others in his community school because of his CP (Cerebral Palsy). Concerned, Joanne immediately mentioned the change in her son's demeanour to Steve Kirk, Christopher's Family Support Worker at Grandview.

Steve has always enjoyed working with Christopher and his family who have been involved at Grandview for a number of years, and he was not surprised by Joanne's ability to advocate for her son when she perceived he was struggling. Steve says, "It's a good example for all parents because it's important to be proactive as soon as you notice any change in a child's behaviour that concerns you. Dig a little deeper and find out what caused the change."

As one small part of a broader treatment plan for Christopher, Steve came up with the idea that Joanne could make a t-shirt for her son, to encourage him to be confident at school and speak up for himself when he felt misunderstood.

Steve suggested that Christopher's t-shirt should say "one cool kid" as a reminder to himself and others that he is just a kid who deserves to be treated with dignity and respect, like any other student at his school.

A few weeks later, Christopher arrived at Grandview wearing his new t-shirt, but he also brought a gift for Steve: a t-shirt that read, "one cool guy".

This time, the t-shirt and the words printed on it were Christopher's idea - a thank you for the Social Worker who had taken the time to listen and care. Christopher decided if a shirt could make him feel better about himself, it could make Steve feel good about himself too.

A year later, Joanne is happy to report that Christopher is still "fabulous" and staff at his school have also noticed an improvement in his self-esteem.

Sometimes, even the little things can mean a lot. 

Grandview is a member of the Ontario Association of Children's Rehabilitation Services (OACRS). Ontario's 21 Children's Treatment Centres work together at OACRS to speak with one voice regarding the issues common to the Children's Rehabilitation Sector.

Every year 65,000 children and youth enter the children's rehabilitation sector for help with physical, developmental and communication challenges. Every year more and more children are identified as needing these vital services and supports. Every year demand rises, waiting lists grow and kids waiting fall further behind.

The solution lies in sustaining and strengthening investments; in pursuing opportunities for service integration and in the inclusion of children with special needs in all Ontario has to offer.

The solutions:

Inclusion:

1.   OACRS proposes that the government allocate 1% of the Full Day Kindergarten funding envelope to a designated line item for the provision of specialized supports for children with disabilities.

2.    At full implementation, a targeted $15 million could be supplemented by the transfer of rehabilitation funding currently residing in the many envelopes across our partner Ministries.

Integration:

1.   Centralizing funding for children's rehabilitation into the Ministry of Children and Youth Services, freeing up resources for direct services to children.

2.   Implement a stable, multi-year funding system with annual increases to allow the sector to undergo long-term budgeting and planning.

3.      Continue to advance outcome measurement to promote value for money.

Investment:

1.   Sustain the investments government has made in services for children with special needs.

2.   Strengthen the capacity of the children's services system to give children requiring extra supports the opportunities they need to stay healthy and to achieve excellent educational outcomes.