Norma, a stay-at-home mom, has more free time and less stress these days, thanks to the opening of a local facility providing services for her developmentally disabled son.
The Markham mom and her son Giancarlo, 11, have been using the centre since it opened about six months ago. The furnishings and equipment were completed recently.
The Children’s Treatment Network of Simcoe York and partner York Support Services Network opened the new facility in Markham to serve special needs children, youth and adults.
Before the facility opened, travelling to all the different services Giancarlo required was time-consuming, Norma said.
“There wasn’t anything in the area. I had to travel to Toronto 45 minutes in traffic,” she said, adding a whole day could be spent travelling to and from an appointment.
Giancarlo has cerebral palsy. He has received both physiotherapy and occupational therapy at the Markham centre, which caters to special needs children, youth and adults.
“It has meant he has more time to unwind and enjoy certain activities,” Norma said. “He is more relaxed because he is not sitting in traffic. He can actually enjoy some of his childhood.”
The new space is part of York Support Services Network’s plan to expand special needs services and bring them closer to home. The network aims to reduce the stress and strain on families by co-ordinating a plan of care so parents don’t have to go to multiple agencies. The facility gives residents access to integrated rehabilitation and developmental services, equipment and professionals in a single location, close to home.
The new Markham facility includes:
• A fully equipped therapy gym and observation room;
• Four treatment/activity rooms for occupational and speech/language therapy;
• An education and training room;
• Consultation/meeting rooms and office space for therapists and staff.
The Ontario Trillium Foundation approved a $100,000 grant in December for furnishings and equipment for the Markham space.
Services are available to children and youth with a wide range of disabilities and complex conditions, including: spina bifida, autism, brain injury and other long-term medical conditions.
Children’s Treatment Network of Simcoe York is a not-for-profit service delivery model for children with multiple disabilities and their families. It links more than 40 healthcare, recreation, education and community agencies to provide a single point of contact and a single plan of care for children from birth to age 19 who have special physical, developmental and communication needs.
York Support Services Network is a community-based non-profit agency that offers a range of services throughout York Region to support people with a developmental disability and/or a serious mental illness.
As part of the publicly funded system under the ministry of children and youth services, the network’s services are free.
The Markham facility is one of 10 such facilities planned for York Region and Simcoe County. The other open centres are in Barrie, Richmond Hill, Alliston, Midland, Georgina, Vaughan and Newmarket. By the end of 2008, two more facilities will be open in Orillia and Collingwood.
If you are the parent or caregiver of a child with multiple disabilities and would like to learn more about the network’s single plan of care, phone the Children’s Treatment Network toll free at 1-866-377-0286 or visit ctn-simcoeyork.ca