Strategic Direction 4
Build capacity
Grandview is in a period of transformation, with Team Grandview growing as we broaden program and services areas, with demand for services increasing year-over-year and clients’ needs becoming more complex. Building capacity in 2022-223 took a multi-faceted approach. Our physical space expanded with the opening of our new Bowmanville satellite office and construction progress at our new headquarters in Ajax. Team Grandview’s skills and expertise were elevated through a series of professional development exercises. And we continue to modernize our approach, employing new technologies, such as e-referrals, to streamline and improve client and caregiver experiences.
New Build update
With a focus on hope, belonging, discovery and celebration, the New Grandview Kids will support the seamless and coordinated provision of family-centred care for children and youth with physical, communication and developmental needs. It will be an open, welcoming and inclusive community-based paediatric facility, offering an integrated mix of rehabilitation, medical and clinical services, as well as education and research activities.
Building on the exceptional talent and skillset of Team Grandview’s physicians, leadership, clinicians, administrative and support staff, the new, larger, fully accessible facility will enable Grandview Kids to expand and enhance existing services and introduce new ones, better meeting the rapidly growing demand of its community.
Due to the size and scope of this project, Grandview Kids has entered into a public-private partnership (P3) with Infrastructure Ontario (IO). Under P3s, provincial ministries and/or project owners establish the scope and purpose of a project, while design and construction work is carried out (and often financed) by the private sector. The P3 approach allows projects to be delivered more efficiently and more cost effectively than traditional procurement. The New Grandview Kids won the Award of Merit for Project Development at the Canadian Council for Public-Private Partnership’s (CCPPP) 2022 National Awards for Innovation and Excellence in Public-Private Partnerships. The prestigious award honours the project for delivering best-in-class infrastructure for Canadians, which is both innovative and cost-effective.
Construction progress
Construction on the New Grandview Kids is underway at 1461 Harwood Avenue North in Ajax, targeted for completion in Fall 2024. In March 2023, the crane was erected, enabling heavier materials to be brought on-site, such as rebar, pipes and forming the foundations. As you can see in this drone footage, construction is well underway!
Milestone achievements
On a warm, sunny afternoon in April 2022, Grandview Kids, alongside the Children’s First Consortium, broke ground on the New Grandview Kids. The ceremony started with a message, prayer and song by Chief Kelly LaRocca and Cultural Coordinator for Scugog Island First Nation, Matthew Stevens. Their words and drumming reminded us of our connection to the earth and the essence of a new beginning. Grandview Kids is grateful for the partnership of the Chief and Council of the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation and we look forward to continuing to grow our relationship in supporting the Indigenous families of Durham Region.
The event included remarks from the Honourable, Mark Holland – MP Ajax, Lorne Coe – MPP Whitby, Regional Chair John Henry, Town of Ajax Mayor Shaun Collier and Vice President of Amico Affiliates Kevin Farrow. Thank you to all of our representatives for your ongoing support of our journey. You can watch the ground-breaking ceremony on YouTube.
In December 2022, the New Grandview Kids achieved another major milestone in its development project: “100% Design Development (DD) Submittals.” This means that working drawings can be created showing all architectural, engineering and landscape design information, following extensive stakeholder input from all New Build partners.
We also reached “100% Construction Document (CD) Submittals” in Spring 2023, where working drawing documentation, including construction drawings, reports, schedules and specifications, progressed from the 50% working drawing documentation, showing all architectural, engineering and landscape design information in accordance with the requirements of our Project Agreement. For more information on the New Grandview Kids, visit grandviewkids.ca/the-new-grandview-kids.
Bridges out of Poverty training
For so many of us, we see poverty as a reflection of how much money is in our pockets. But poverty is so much more.
In the Bridges out of Poverty training, Team Grandview learned that poverty is “the extent to which an individual does without resources.” The word “resources” is more than money. Resources can also include the ability to communicate in the local language, access culturally safe healthcare, and have the skills to cope with daily challenges.
When your journey leads you to Grandview Kids, we aim to welcome you, build a relationship with you, and treat you as an equal partner in your child’s care.
When you are in need of resources outside of what Grandview Kids can offer, we aim to support you and connect you to the programs and services you need. This can include additional funding to support equipment needs, local food banks, or programs that meet your child’s unique needs and interests.
A core value of Grandview Kids is to see the “whole-child and family-centred.” We look forward to learning more about the community we serve and the barriers or biases they may encounter. We continue to aim to have your voice drive our programs and services.
Poverty is not an individual problem. Addressing poverty is the responsibility of all of us. Grandview Kids commits to continue to work with our community partners in the education, health and social services sectors to help bridge the gap, providing families with the resources they need so that all children and youth have what is needed to live life at their full potential.
References
Payne, R.K., DeVol, P.E., Dreussi-Smith, T. (2022). Bridges out of Poverty: Strategies for professionals and communities. (5th EDs).
Staff development
Building capacity means focusing on our people: Team Grandview, which is made up of nearly 300 dedicated, passionate and talented physicians, leaders, clinicians, administrative and support staff. In 2022-23, we set out to build internal capacity, focusing on staff retention and professional development through a number of initiatives:
- We undertook extensive staff engagement activities in Fall 2022, laying the foundation of a comprehensive Retention Strategy. We recognize that in order to become a Centre of Excellence, we must ensure we retain excellence.
- Many members of our leadership team completed LEADs training in 2022-23. The LEADS in a Caring Environment capabilities framework represents the key skills, behaviours, abilities and knowledge required to lead in all sectors and levels of the health system. It presents a common understanding of what good leadership looks, feels, and sounds like across all levels of service provision in healthcare. Skills and tools acquired in this training will be applied by our leadership team in the years ahead.
- We are one of the only organizations across our sector to complete frequent, bi-annual Staff Engagement Surveys, providing a mechanism for staff to tell us how we can improve their experience as members of Team Grandview. We heard great feedback that staff feel like they know their roles, are able to contribute to excellent care and service and feel like a real member of a team. With the degree and speed of change underway, staff also told us we can improve on engaging and communicating with them on the numerous improvements underway.
