Adrian Polidano

Dr. Meghann Lloyd celebrates a decade as Grandview Kids Research Associate

Dr. Meghann Lloyd on a field high-fiving a little boy. — Grandview Children’s Centre for U.O.I.T. May 16, 2012. (Ian Goodall/Goodall Media Inc.)

Dr. Meghann Lloyd, Associate Professor, Kinesiology at Ontario Tech University, celebrates her tenth anniversary as Grandview Kids’ Research Associate! Over the last decade, Dr. Meghann Lloyd has worked closely with Grandview Kids, furthering research focused on childhood disability. In commemoration of this milestone, Dr. Meghann Lloyd reflects on her time with Grandview Kids and looks towards the future as she answers some of our questions.

Why did you choose a career focused on childhood disability?

During my undergraduate degree at Acadia University, I volunteered in the S.M.I.L.E. program, where I was paired with a young boy with autism, and we played together on Saturday mornings, working on goals. It was in my third year that I realized the adapted physical activity was an academic field of study. I also had the chance to do an Honours research project in my fourth year of undergrad, and I knew very quickly that this area was what I wanted to pursue for my career. While I enjoyed working with children with typical development, I felt strongly that the children with disabilities were more fun, more of a challenge, and far more rewarding to work with.

Three little boys posing in and outside of play tubes in Dr. Meghann LLoyd's lab. — Children Dr. Meghann LLoyd has worked with at her lab.

What has been your most significant accomplishment as the Grandview Kids Research Associate in the past 10 years?

My most significant accomplishment as the Grandview Research Associate has been the longevity of trusting relationships. Gaining the trust and respect of the staff and clinicians at Grandview allows me the freedom to propose my own research questions and the commitment to pursue the questions that Grandview puts forth. To have been able to foster and commit to this relationship over the past ten years has been a privilege.

Little boy squatting on top of a tall block in Dr. Meghann Lloyd's lab.

Reflecting on your past successes and now towards the future, what is the most ambitious goal you hope to realize at Grandview Kids?

My goal is for the research myself and my graduate students complete to be relevant to Grandview, but more importantly, actionable. I also envision a day where Grandview has the capacity to ask its own questions and execute the studies. To achieve this, substantial external funding would need to be secured and the infrastructure in place to implement the plans. If we realize this goal, Grandview would establish itself as a research hub east of Toronto in pediatric rehabilitation and adapted physical activity and would be able to train the next generation of researchers, as well as clinician-scientists. This would benefit Grandview clients but also the academic fields.

Little boy holding a toy bat up to a softball in Dr. Meghann Lloyd's lab.

Thank you for a stellar decade of dedicated work and research, Dr. Meghann LLoyd. Having you as a Research Associate at Grandview Kids, we know to expect great things in our future!

List curated by Grandview Kids’ Social Work Services Team

The following organizations offer programs and services to lend a helping hand around the holiday season. They may be able to offer assistance with food, clothing and/or toys. Please contact them directly for further information. Typically registration starts in early November. Registration is either over the phone or online. Families can choose one organization of their choice.

Ajax/Pickering Salvation Army

Tel: 905-427-7123

Address: 122 Hunt Street, Ajax

Serves residents of Ajax, Pickering and Uxbridge.

To register, email: james.dark@salvationarmy.ca

Bowmanville Salvation Army

Tel: 905-623-2185

Address: 75 Liberty Street South, Bowmanville

Serves Clarington residents. Call to book a registration appointment any Monday or Friday until December 3.

Oshawa Salvation Army

Tel: 905-723-7422

Address: 45 King Street East, Oshawa

https://saoshawa.ca/ – registration online for Oshawa and Port Perry residents.

Simcoe Hall Settlement House

Tel: 905-728-7525

Address: 387 Simcoe Street South, Oshawa

Serves Oshawa residents.

Toy Program registration is full, families will be placed on a waitlist. https://simcoehall.com/

Holiday food hampers will be available from the food bank as of Monday, November 30, 2021.

Southside Worship Center

Tel: 905-428-1985

Address: 55 Emperor Street, Ajax

Serves Ajax/Pickering residents.

Online registration https://southsideworship.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/1055289

St. Andrew’s Community Outreach Program

Tel: 905-668-4022

Address: 209 Cochrane Street, Whitby

Serves anyone in Durham Region.

You can also find out more information on the Region of Durham’s Food Resource Directory website: https://www.durham.ca/en/living-here/food-banks.aspx

Happy Holidays!

We are excited to welcome a brand new member to the Grandview Kids cinematic universe, our Kid Reporter, Kurt! Our Kid Reporter’s job is to report on the hard-hitting news, updating our community with what is new and happening at Grandview Kids. As a child, Kurt received several services at Grandview Kids and is a current member of our Youth Advisory Council (YAC). With a deep connection to Grandview Kids and a passion for being in front of the camera, we could not think of anyone more fit for the role than Kurt!

Ready to meet him? Watch Kurt’s introduction on YouTube below.

Grandview Kids achieves a score of 99.8% in meeting required standards and organizational practices.

Outstanding. Impressive. Phenomenal. United. Hope.

Over the past several days, these words were repeated as Accreditation Surveyors visited, reviewed, and spoke with Grandview Kids stakeholders.

Over a three-day period, Grandview Kids participated in Accreditation Canada’s Qmentum accreditation program. As an independent, not-for-profit organization, Accreditation Canada sets standards for quality and safety in healthcare. Grandview Kids takes part in accreditation on a four-year cycle and is assessed under standards examining Governance, Leadership, Infection Prevention and Control, Medication Management, and care provision practices for those with Intellectual and Development Disabilities.

During this cycle, Grandview Kids Accreditation Champions deemed the theme of our survey to be “Mission Possible…the answers are out there.” Today, we are proud to share that this mission has been successfully accomplished.

Mission Possible… the answers are out there.

This week, the Accreditation Canada surveyors spoke with the Grandview Board of Trustees, clinicians and staff, parents and caregivers, and community partners. The conversations were clear. Grandview is a highly sought-after partner, viewed as a “North Star” setting a course for evidence-informed care, solution-based thinking, and client and family-led practices.

“I am proud to work here” was a comment reported by members of our team.

And what a team it is. Every member of #TeamGrandview continuously strives to provide the best evidence-informed care for the clients and caregivers they serve. The Family Engagement Team is an integral part of a child and family’s circle of care and was acknowledged for being leaders in the field, elevating the involvement of families above just a checkbox on a list of to-dos. Even throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the Grandview team’s dedication was recognized as a way of continuously providing hope to families. This team is resilient, innovative, encouraging, and united.

“As our surveys with Accreditation Canada come to a close, I want to congratulate each and every member of #TeamGrandview,” It is a profound honour to work alongside you.” shared Grandview Kids CEO Lorraine Sunstrum-Mann. “To Grandview families – please know that although we have challenges ahead of us, as the demand for Grandview services continues to rise, #TeamGrandview will remain deeply committed to, and relentlessly focused on, delivering on the mission of helping every child and youth reach their full potential.”

Full details about the outcomes of accreditation will be made public in the coming weeks. Stay tuned to GrandviewKids.ca and social media for more information.

CEO Blog – November 2021

Grandview Kids CEO, Lorraine Sunstrum-Mann

With the start of school and Halloween behind us, we welcome November as a month of great significance at Grandview Kids. Later this month, Grandview will host two surveyors from Accreditation Canada into our facilities to review our processes and policies and measure our approaches and quality practices to national best practices. As we approach this important milestone, we’re reflecting on all we’ve accomplished since we released our 2020-21 Annual Review.

I would like to share with you some key changes underway at Grandview Kids.

Expansion of School-based Rehabilitation Services

In September, Grandview Kids expanded school-based rehabilitation services into three neighbourhoods of Scarborough: M1B, M1C, M1X. The expanded services include occupational therapy, physiotherapy and speech-language pathology. The expansion meant working closely with our partners at VHA Home Health Care/VHA Rehab Solutions and Closing the Gap Healthcare to ensure a smooth transition for clients. I am happy to report that our clinicians completed successful transitions for many students, and our Toronto District School Board partners have welcomed us to the neighbourhood. We look forward to working closely with our Toronto partners to help support students with diverse needs.

Our new Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Committee

At Grandview Kids, we aim to provide family-centred care. This means that we need to recognize, acknowledge and adapt our services in a way that is culturally-safe for each family. Our newly formed Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Committee aims to do just that. This group of staff champions come together monthly to discuss ways in which Team Grandview can improve their awareness, knowledge and skills of offering family-centred care in a way that is meaningful for every client and caregiver. Their first action will be to host an organization-wide training on recognizing bias, barriers and privilege.

Launch of Caregiver-Mediated Early Years Programs

As the lead agency of the Ontario Autism Program – Durham Partnership, Grandview Kids is pleased to offer Caregiver-Mediated Early Years Programs as part of the Ontario Autism Program. In the summer, families started receiving letters from the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services inviting them to participate. Grandview Kids, Lake Ridge Community Support Services and The Regional Municipality of Durham are proud to offer three programs in the Durham Region. To help caregivers make the decision on which program is best for their children, Grandview has created an informative website, virtual slideshow and is hosting a live information session on November 17 to help answer any questions caregivers may have. Click here to view this information.

Continued partnerships with the Ontario Health Team and others

Did you know that Grandview Kids is a part of the Durham Ontario Health Team (OHT)? The Durham OHT is comprised of 19 partners, including client and caregiver advisory groups, that work together to improve access and delivery of coordinated health services. The Paediatric Complex Care Program offered at Grandview Kids is funded in partnership with the Durham OHT and supported by Grandview Kids, The Hospital for Sick Children, Lakeridge Health, and the Central East Home and Community Support Services. Through these incredible partnerships, Grandview is able to provide integrated care services to children with medical complexity that is closer to home.

The Grandview Kids collection at the Ajax Public Libraries

The Ajax Public Library has partnered with Grandview Kids to offer an exclusive online catalogue of books, videos, and resources free with any Ajax Public Library card. The collection is available online (http://www.ajaxlibrary.ca/grandview) and has been curated by Grandview clinicians, Peer Navigators and the Youth Advisory Council. There are resources for parents, caregivers, clinicians, youth and our youngest readers. The Peer Navigators have also partnered with the Ajax Public Library to offer a Sensory Story Time for children and a coffee chat discussing the experience of being a parent of a child with autism. Learn more by visiting the Ajax Public Library website.

Upholding ethical clinical standards

The Grandview Kids internal Ethics Committee meets regularly to review newly adopted ethical decision-making tools, which are supported by our partnership with the Ontario Shores Bioethicist. Earlier this year, Grandview Kids adopted an Ethics Framework and tools that can help our team members make decisions and take action in a way that is ethical, responsible and transparent. To help assist with ethical decision-making, all Grandview team members, as well as clients and caregivers, are able to consult with the Bioethicist by emailing ethics@grandviewkids.ca.

Reaching 100% vaccination status

We are still amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, but Team Grandview has not allowed a global health crisis to slow down their dedication to their clients. Earlier this fall, we followed the Letter of Instruction from the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services and implemented a vaccine policy. Our team’s commitment to evidence-based practice came through as we quickly reached 99% vaccination, with the remaining 1% committed to daily rapid antigen testing. With daily active screening, wearing appropriate amounts of personal protective equipment, and practicing exceptional cleaning practices, Team Grandview continues to maintain a safe environment for all clients and caregivers.

Facing transformation, modernization and change

Grandview Kids continues to undergo rapid growth and changes to Ministry-funded programs and services. In the past two years, we have grown by 117% and increased the number of positions at Grandview to now include 271 people across clinical and supportive roles. With exceptional growth comes a few growing pains. We are working diligently to recruit and retain the highly skilled clinicians and administrative roles Grandview is known for. Grandview Kids has much to offer new graduates, as well as mid and late-career clinicians. Keep an eye out for new opportunities on our new LinkedIn page!

Stay connected

Thank you for taking the time to learn what’s new at Grandview. Please join me in showing your appreciation to our incredible team for their hard work throughout 2021. I am inspired daily by the emerging talent, exceptional mentorship, and innovative ideas cultivated by our incredible staff.

Thank you, #TeamGrandview.

What else is going on at Grandview Kids? I also encourage you to review the Grandview Kids Foundation Impact Report available now on the Foundation’s website.

Written by Grandview Kids Family Engagement Team Member, Jacki Nemisz

Sometimes you are going to have to be the one that makes the holiday inclusive.

I love Halloween; I love sugar, candy, chocolate. I am that mom that starts thinking about costumes in August. In 2013 when Colton was two years old, we made a decision that was so difficult at the time. After two years of seizures, we decided to start Colton on the Ketogenic Diet, meaning he could never consume artificial sugar, and if he did, the result would be seizures. Doing this meant that holidays, in general, would be tough, Halloween and Easter in particular. In 2013 Colton was still very young, highly medicated and unable to walk, so he didn’t notice after trick or treating when I hid his treat bag. I did, though, and so did my 6-year-old. I knew then that next year would have to be different, and it was going to have to be me that would make it different.

Fast forward to Halloween 2014; this was the first year Colton was walking, and I knew this Halloween had to be inclusive to him. I went to the dollar store and picked up pencils, mini cards, toy cars, stickers etc. I went home, and I composed this letter:

Happy Halloween!

Tomorrow our son Colton will be trick or treating dressed as a Paw Patrol. We would appreciate when Colton comes to your house you give him the attached item or toy. He is on a specialized diet to control his seizures and we want him to feel included in Halloween and enjoy trick or treating with his brothers. For those who don’t know Colton we will introduce him.

Thank you for making this Halloween special for him.

Image of the letter Jackie wrote her neighbours. — Image of the letter handed out to Jacki’s neighbours.

Each year since I have done the same, Colton is older now and sometimes travels to more houses than the items I give out, but that is okay. At the end of the night, when he opens his treat bag, there will be items in there for him. I think it is so important to educate people on how to be more inclusive, but as a special needs mom, I realize that sometimes I will have to do it myself. We make our house accessible and have non-edible treats available, so everyone has a Happy Halloween.

Colton enjoying his Halloween treats after Trick-or-Treating!

Here’s how you can make Halloween fun for all!

Contribution by Family Engagement Team member, Clare Alexander-Arias

The Family Engagement Team is helping all Durham Region neighbours consider making Halloween fun, safe and inclusive to children and youth of all abilities.

Here are our top tips:

Some trick-or-treaters might look a little older than you expect. Be kind as they may have a developmental delay.
Some children may be non-verbal. Do not wait for the child to speak before offering a treat.
Some children may not tolerate wearing a costume because of sensory concerns. Be sure to award them a treat just the same as their peers.
If a child seems overwhelmed or anxious, have patience.
Many children have food allergies. Consider offering a non-edible option for these children (i.e., bubbles, pencils, glow sticks, etc.) Display a teal pumpkin to signify that you have allergy friendly options.

For children who have a hearing impairment, show them the treat before putting it in their bag.
For children who have a visually impairment, tell them what sort of treat you are giving them before putting it in their bag.
Keep all of your walkways and steps clear of obstacles.
Meet trick-or-treaters who use a wheelchair or mobility device at the end of your driveway with candy so they don’t have to navigate up to your door.
You can order or print a sign to display on your lawn to show that families in your neighbourhood that if their child has a disability, they are welcome to enjoy Halloween without barriers at your home. Visit this website to order.
Remember to follow all of the COVID-safe rules as instructed by Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health and the Durham Region Health Department. Read more on the Government of Ontario website.