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Family Resource Newsletter, April 28, 2022

Three people; one wearing a mask, a woman standing with a young boy with a walker

The information provided in this newsletter is for reference only. It is not intended as a recommendation or endorsement of organizations, news sources, policies or political parties, or as a comprehensive resource list. Past newsletters and COVID-19 specific tipsheets can be accessed here.  

Holland Bloorview 

 

Events | Workshops | New Resources

 

Bloorview Research Institute

Kids, Virtual care and the COVID-19 pandemic: Learning from our experiences [Client Youth and Parent/Caregiver] | Holland Bloorview: Are you a client youth or parent/caregiver of a client who has received virtual care? Are you interested in sharing your virtual care experiences? We are doing a research study at Holland Bloorview to explore clients’ and caregivers’ experiences with receiving virtual care since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

  • Your feedback on your overall experience with virtual care will contribute to the development of recommendations for a hybrid model of care across programs at Holland Bloorview, and to improve our ability to make services at Holland Bloorview more accessible, equitable, and relevant to families.  
  • We are looking for: Holland Bloorview clients (up to 21 years old) OR Parents/caregivers of clients who have received any type of virtual care (ex. assessment, consultation or intervention service) at Holland Bloorview or satellite/community school sites since March 2020.
  • If you are interested in participating in this study or have additional questions, please contact Sharmigaa Ragunathan at trail@hollandbloorview.ca / 416-425-6220 ext. 3635. Contacting us does not obligate you to participate in the study.

 

Holland Bloorview resources

 

COVID-19 testing and information

  • SickKids COVID-19 Testing Centre online booking system:  For children with medical complexities (CMC) who are eligible to receive a COVID-19 PCR test.   Caregivers/providers will now use the online booking link to book the COVID-19 PCR test appointment at the SickKids COVID Testing Centre located at 555 University Ave (SickKids).
  • parent homework.ca: Medical experts from top hospitals including Sick Kids, Kids Health Alliance and Holland Bloorview answer top COVID-19 questions asked by parents about children’s vaccine (Parent Homework).

 

Social events | Summer recreation

  • 38th Annual Toronto Police Games (May 7): Registration deadline May 1.  Participants and their siblings are invited to join us for this fun day of inclusive sports and recreation activities.Activities include: wheelchair basketball, sitting volleyball, boccia, and much more. Register here(Variety Village & Toronto Police).
  • Abilities Expo (May 13 & 14): Attend free workshops and put your new knowledge into action immediately. Get tips on accessible travel, disability employment, assistive technology, disability savings & tax credits and so much more.  Get more information and directions for this in-person event (Abilities Expo Toronto).
  • Camp guide: Updated camp guide for children, youth and young adults with special needs.  Click on the link for more resources related to respite and camp (Respiteservices.com).

 

Health and Wellness 

  • Boost Your Well-Being with a Nature Prescription (May 3): Learn about science-proven mental and physical health benefits of nature, and how including “green time” in your schedule can help our planet; tips on how to fit outdoor time into your busy routine: the “Park Prescription Program” (PaRx), now available in Ontario (Ontario Caregiver Organization).
  • May Wellness Events (Surrey Place).
  • Variety’s Virtual Adventure:Join this fun and free virtual program. Anyone can access it individually, one-to-one, in groups, classes or even the entire school.  Any skill, any ability. This interactive exercise program can be done by anyone. Variety Staff will be available along the way to ensure exercises are adaptable for everyone's abilities (Variety Village).
  • Virtual Exercise Program: A group-based program for adults with physical disabilities who have some independent mobility.  This program focuses on using the whole body; incorporating mobility, strength, aerobics, and mindfulness into each class.  You can participate either standing or seated (March of Dimes - adults).

 

Future Planning | Transitions

Partners for Planning

 

Developmental Services Ontario (DSO)

 

Accessibility

  • fuelService app lets you find out if a gas station has a staff member that can help you fuel up before you go there. The app shows a list of participating locations, you pick the one most convenient for you. fuelservice app calls them up and ask if they can help in the next 30 minutes (fuelService App & Shell).
  • Tetra is a non-profit charity organization that recruits volunteer engineers and skilled trades people to design and construct unique assistive devices for individuals with disabilities with no cost for labour.  This includes modifications to commercial items as well. 
    • Fill out a Request for Assistance (RFA) online at  tetrasociety.org  and it will be directed to the Coordinator of the Tetra Chapter nearest the client  for assignment of a volunteer to carry out the project request, in consultation with the client. 
    • No referral needed on the medical side, you do not submit medical documents and with few exceptions, material costs are also covered.

Research & Best Practice Guides

  • Towards Cultural Competence: Communication for Diagnosticians when working with South Asian and Black Families of Children/Youth on the Autism Spectrum:This free toolkit  provides cultural competence training for autism professionals with respect to South Asian and Black families in Ontario. Videos and interviews help to outline challenges and barriers as experienced by South Asian and Black Families (South Asian Autism Awareness Centre (SAAAC) & Children’s Treatment Network).
  • Life Skills Program Guide: This guide is grounded in research to determine the key ingredients that make away-from-home life skills programs effective and successful for youth with disabilities. The guide showcases reflections from youth, parents and staff who have experienced these programs (Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital & Ontario Independence Program Research).
  • Project Inclusion: A learning resource for Ontario educators built around the voices and experiences of students with disabilities, their families and school board staff.  The website offers five learning modules on disability, accessibility and inclusion for staff working with students in kindergarten to Grade 12 (Holland Bloorview & the Ontario Ministry of Education).

For more events for caregivers, children, youth and young adults, you may want to explore the resources listed: Autism Ontario; Children’s Treatment Network; Connectability.ca; Community Access Learning Centre; Epilepsy Toronto; Family Service Toronto; Kerry’s Place Autism Services; My Community Hub;Meta Centre; Sunflower Developmental Services; Surrey Place - Wellness Services


Holland Bloorview’s Grocery Foundation Family Resource Centre is a place where you can find information and resources on childhood disability that are helpful to you and your family.  We have information on: respite, recreation, housing, funding, education, parenting and more.  All Holland Bloorview workshops and events are listed on www.hollandbloorview.ca/familyevents Questions?  Please e-mail resourcecentre@hollandbloorview.ca