Every day at Holland Bloorview, clients and families help shape the care, services and experiences that matter most to them. The Client and Family Integrated Care, Transitions, and Community Partnerships teams partner with clients, families, staff, and community partners to reduce barriers, address urgent social needs, and support successful transitions to adulthood. By embedding lived experience in decision-making and strengthening connections to community resources and supports, these seven teams create pathways for children, youth, and families to thrive both within and beyond our walls.

Lived experience in action 

The Client and Family Integrated Care and Youth Engagement Strategy teams partner with clients and families to embed their lived experience across clinical care, programs, policies and research.

Their expertise also creates opportunities for families to learn from one another, build connections, and feel less alone in navigating childhood disability. The Parent Support Network (PSN), a virtual community for parents and caregivers of children with disabilities, is one example of how partnership can become a source of knowledge, shared experience and community.

For family leader Alifa Khan, the impact of PSN comes from creating opportunities for meaningful connection and shared learning among caregivers. “Sharing, connecting and co-facilitating PSN workshops bring client and family-centred care to life. These workshops enable parents to explore topics, challenges, hopes and concerns within a supportive and psychologically safe environment.” 

Youth leaders partner to ensure their lived experience drives meaningful change. Through the Youth Advisory Council (YAC), youth mentorship program, and other leadership initiatives, youth are developing important life skills while helping shape change at Holland Bloorview and beyond.

“I really can’t say enough about YAC and youth mentoring. I think without those, I wouldn’t have started my path into professional political advocacy.” - YAC member (2025-26) 

Strengthening community partnerships 

The Community Life Skills, Employment Pathways, LIFEspan and Bridging to Adulthood teams support youth and their families with the transition to adulthood. Community partnerships with recreation providers, transit services, social service agencies, and adult health-care providers create opportunities for youth to develop life skills, build independence, and foster a community of belonging to prepare for life beyond pediatric care. 

“We work with the TTC to teach clients how to use transit and navigate their communities safely, while also partnering with Variety Village to introduce them to healthy and active lifestyles. Connecting clients to real-world settings can help them achieve their personal life skills and recreation goals as they transition towards adulthood.” - Kaitlyn Large, therapeutic recreation specialist

The Employment Pathways team works alongside educators, employers, disability service organizations and policymakers to expand inclusive employment opportunities for youth with disabilities. Initiatives like Project SEARCH advance youth employment inclusion, while the team also mobilizes knowledge by co-designing training and resources with partners to drive broader systems change toward disability inclusive practices.

Advancing health equity

Improving health equity is a core focus across the portfolio, led in large part through the Family Navigation Hub. Many families face barriers beyond medical care, including food insecurity, housing instability, income challenges, language barriers and difficulty navigating complex health and social systems. The Hub provides individualized consultation to families who identify social needs through screening across programs and services at Holland Bloorview.

Collaboration and partnerships are central to this work. Through CommunityCONNECT, the Hub collaborates with community organizations to share knowledge, build connections, and create accessible, culturally responsive learning opportunities. Partnerships with organizations such as Our Kids Health and SAAC Autism Centre support the Hub’s ability to provide trusted health information to families, including newcomer and culturally diverse families, who are navigating disability services. 

The Hub also works closely with government partners and community agencies to connect families with financial supports, housing, transportation and other essential needs.

“Understanding the increasing complexity of our social systems and navigating the resources can often be challenging. Our team aims to reduce some of these barriers by partnering with our clients and families to bring supports and services to them that make sense when and where they need it most.” - Jessica Reid, team lead, Family Navigation Hub

Creating possibilities

The impact of this work is reflected in the opportunities it creates: partnering with clients and families to co-design care, helping youth build skills, confidence and independence, connecting families with vital resources; and working alongside community partners to create pathways of support beyond Holland Bloorview.

As Lyndsay Tchegus-Veiga, senior director, client and family integrated care, transitions and community partnerships, reflects: “The teams' impact is rooted in our commitment to partner with clients, families, staff and community partners. We work alongside one another to develop programs, services, and supports that respond to what matters to clients and families. Together, we’re expanding possibilities and advancing the most meaningful and healthy futures for all children, youth and families”

To learn more and discover opportunities for clients, families and youth to engage, share lived experience and help shape care click here.

By Terry Mutuku