Grandview Kids

Every Child And Youth Living Life At Their Full Potential

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Meet Grandview Kids’ Registered Dietitians!

Adrian Polidano

Nutrition Month 2022

This March, dietitians across Canada are coming together to share how they can support you and make your future a healthier one. We interviewed Grandview Kids’ Registered Dietitians, Heather-Ann and Shelley, about their roles at Grandview and what being a dietitian means to them! 

Meet Heather-Ann!

What is your role at Grandview Kids?

I am a Registered Dietitian working with the Complex Care team and Nutrition Clinic.

What does a typical session with your clients look like?

A typical session with clients would include a discussion with the parents and/or child to determine how I can best support them in achieving their nutrition goals and needs. This discussion may include but is not limited to a review of past medical history, current dietary intake, medications/supplements, bloodwork, feeding environment, social history and measuring anthropometric data. Once I have completed my assessment, I would then provide evidence-based nutrition recommendations in a collaborative manner with the patient and/or family to enhance nutrition status and health outcomes.  

What inspired you to become a dietitian?

My first interest in nutrition started as a young athlete looking for ways to optimize sport performance. This led to studying Human Nutrition at St. Francis Xavier University, where I became intrigued by the opportunity for Dietitians to improve the health and well-being of others across the lifespan. I was inspired to become a Dietitian so that I could help others achieve healthier and happier lifestyles through the power of nutrition!

If you could give one nutrition tip to parents/caregivers of children and youth, what would it be?

I would recommend getting children and youth involved in the preparation of meals! Involving children in making family meals and snacks provides the opportunity for teaching valuable life skills, learning about their family’s culture and cooking traditions, as well as exposing the child to new foods.

Meet Shelley!

What is your role at Grandview Kids?

I work at Grandview Kids as a registered dietitian in the Nutrition Clinic. My role is to identify nutrition risks and assess the nutrition requirements of children and youth.  My goal is to work with families and their children to ensure optimal feeding and nutrition for their child’s growth and development.

What does a typical session with your clients look like?

A typical session involves review and assessment from the referring individual, further identifying nutrition issues to help families with their child’s feeding or health concerns. My role of late has changed to include a telepractice consult model.  This practice has had many benefits for the families I serve.  I provide a consultative service to parents/caregivers. Initial nutrition assessment times can be lengthy and telepractice has helped in this regard as the child will be in the comfort of their home and not sitting for an extended duration during the appointment.  The Nutrition Clinic Clerk notifies families in advance of their appointment to prepare a 3-day food record of typical nutrition days. This information is reviewed during the assessment and recommendations are then provided to optimize meal planning, feeding, nutrition status and growth.

What inspired you to become a dietitian?

My love for working with the pediatric population was always an inspiration of mine and so tagging this with nutrition was a great fit.  Who knew I would go on to be a dietitian when I was that child, as I only ate honey sandwiches and my vegetable of choice was corn! From as early as I can remember, my parents continued to provide variety and opportunity in my meals, ensuring a balanced structure as well as an enjoyable meal experience.  In time, my food variety expanded and my interest in nutrition and dietetics flourished in my later years.

If you could give one nutrition tip to parents/caregivers of children and youth, what would it be?

My managing mealtime tip: make mealtime enjoyable and a priority. Be a role model, eat together and get kids involved in the kitchen early on with a focus on food variety from Canada’s Food Guide.

Thank you for sharing a bit about your journey with us all to commemorate Nutrition Month 2022, Heather-Ann!

Visit the Nutrition Month website to learn more about how you can participate!

Written by Grandview Kids’ Director, Quality, Risk, Continuous Improvement, Alfred Ng

March 26 is Purple Day, a day created to increase understanding about epilepsy and eliminate its stigma.

Epilepsy is a neurological condition characterized by recurrent seizures. A seizure happens when abnormal electrical activity in the brain causes an unwanted change in a person’s being or behaviour.

Affecting people of all ages and races – over 50 million people worldwide have epilepsy. With an estimated one in every 100 Canadians diagnosed, you likely know someone living with epilepsy.

My son, Cameron, has a very rare form of epilepsy called continuous spike wave syndrome. Cameron is a sweet, caring 11 year who loves music, video games and playing with his little sister Evelyn.

Evelyn (left) and Cameron (right).

To know Cameron is to love him. But to see him, you would not immediately understand his daily challenges. Epilepsy is an invisible condition for many – it leaves little apparent visible differences but can affect a range of functions. Cameron has visited Grandview a few times, meeting staff and experiencing some of our special care and ‘sparkle.’ He was happy to tell #TeamGrandview more about epilepsy in recognition of Purple Day.

Dad: Cameron, what do you want people to know about epilepsy?

Cameron: I go to Sick Kids and take medications but other than that, people with epilepsy are just like everyone else – we just want to have friends and have fun. We do our best.

The key for interacting with individuals with epilepsy is, in many ways, the same for anyone. Do so with love, patience and empathy. Be a friend, have some fun, and do your best, as Cameron says.

Promotional banner for the #MoreThanEver Ontario Social Work week campaign.

March 7-13 is Social Work week in Ontario, allowing a chance to pause and celebrate Social Workers’ contributions towards supporting mental health. The theme of #MoreThanEver speaks to ensuring timely access to high-quality mental health services. Social Workers have been at the frontline throughout the pandemic and are focused on the path towards recovery.

Social Work is a profession aimed at helping individuals, families and communities to build capacity and promote wellbeing. Social Workers at Grandview Kids hold a Masters of Social Work degree and are registered with their College. They offer counselling, resource coordination, transition support and funding assistance. Grandview Kids Social Workers support children, youth and families to cope with the impact of disability and complex health needs.

Promotional graphic for the #MoreThanEver Ontario Social Work week campaign.

What Grandview clients and families say about their Social Workers

“She has a way of making you feel so comfortable like you have known her for years.”


“When I felt like I was at my lowest, my Social Worker helped me to realize that I was not alone and my feelings were normal.”


“She was able to help my daughter find strategies to help her deal with her feelings and it helped strengthen our relationship”.

Thank you to our incredible team of Social Workers at Grandview Kids for the fantastic and vital work that you do every day!

Grandview Kids names Children First Consortium as the preferred proponent to build a state-of-the-art facility

Tuesday, March 1, 2022

New Ajax Grandview Kids HQ Sign indicating its location

Ajax, ON – After 14 years of advocacy and 17 months of extensive planning and evaluations, Grandview Kids is pleased to announce the Children First Consortium as the preferred proponent to finalize the design, build and finance the “New Grandview Kids.” 

The Children First Consortium team includes:

  • Applicant Leads: Amico Design Build Inc., Sacyr Construction S.A
  • Design Team: Parkin Architects, H.H. Angus and Associates Limited
  • Construction Team: Amico Design Build Inc., Sacyr Construction S.A
  • Financial Advisor: Stonebridge Financial Corporation

Infrastructure Ontario and Grandview Kids selected the preferred proponent following an open, fair and competitive request for proposals that began in May 2021. The project is delivered as a Design-Build-Finance contract using a Public-Private Partnerships (P3) model. A P3 model transfers the appropriate risks associated with design, construction and financing to the private sector.

“We have been working toward this moment for many years,” shared Lorraine Sunstrum-Mann, Chief Executive Officer of Grandview Kids. “We have imagined a space that offers high-quality, child-centred care in a facility that welcomes all families. We have been guided by the vision of hope, belonging, discovery and celebration for all families. We know the Children First Consortium shares in this vision, and we are one step closer to seeing our dream come to life.” 

The new Grandview Kids headquarters will be a centre of excellence in paediatric care. The building will include:

  • Centre-Wide Therapy Services: occupational therapy, physiotherapy, speech-language pathology, therapeutic recreation, audiology, infant hearing, blind low-vision, social work
  • Ontario Autism Program including Autism Diagnostic Hub, Foundational Family Support Program, Early Years Caregiver-Mediated Program,  Entry to School Program and Core  Services
  • Preschool Outreach Program
  • School-Based Rehabilitation
  • Developmental Paediatric Medical Services including specialized medical clinics
  • Family/caregiver resources and support
  • Campbell Children’s School 

Once complete, Grandview Kids will consolidate the existing main site in Oshawa and multiple satellite locations into one purpose-built site at 1461 Harwood Avenue North, Ajax. Grandview Kids will maintain three satellite locations to reduce extensive travel times for some clients and their families.

The opening will have a significant impact on local families. Sarah-Lynne Gibbons is the Mom of Zoe. “Little Miss Zoe” as she is best known, is three years old and has a metabolic genetic condition known as SLC35A2-CDG. “To me, the New Grandview Kids means more opportunities for our family to gain knowledge and access more equipment and new devices. These will give Zoe the best chance at living her best life and reaching her highest potential. Grandview has been such a huge foundation to Zoe’s success thus far and that has been with such limited resources available. We cannot wait to have the Ajax location up and running.”

Progress continues with Infrastructure Ontario and Grandview Kids working to finalize contract details with Children First Consortium. The project is expected to reach a financial close in the coming weeks, with the construction phase aimed to begin in the spring.

The Durham Region community can donate to the New Grandview Kids through the Grandview Kids Foundation. Visit https://www.grandviewkidsfoundation.ca/ to contribute to the Believe Campaign and help build a new facility that hosts unlimited potential for children and youth.

About Grandview Kids

Grandview Kids – founded in 1953 – is an independently operated, not-for-profit Children’s Treatment Centre in Durham Region. A Centre of Excellence for paediatric assessment, care and rehabilitation, Grandview Kids provides specialized programs, medical services, and outpatient clinical treatment and support to thousands of children and youth with physical, communication and developmental needs, as well as support for parents and caregivers. Its mission is to help every child and youth live life to their full potential.

For more information about Grandview Kids, visit: http://grandviewkids.ca/.

For updates, follow @GrandviewKids on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Media contacts:

Avori Cheyne
Director, Strategic Communications, Partnership and Engagement
905-728-1673 ext. 2240
Avori.Cheyne@grandviewkids.ca

Durham Region is home to a number of high-quality, reliable licensed child care programs. With more than 300 licensed child care centres, Montessori programs, nursery schools and six home child care agencies, there are a variety of programs to choose from! This article aims to help Grandview Kids’ families make an informed decision when selecting an inclusive and welcoming child care program for their child.

Here are five tips on finding inclusive child care in the Durham Region

Illustration of three kids laying down on their stomachs with their hands on their cheeks smiling.

1. Find the type of child care that’s right for you

There are different forms of licensed child care available in the Durham Region. These include licensed child care centres and before and after-school programs, Montessori schools, nursery schools and licensed home child care. Each type of child care has its own benefits including a variety of operating hours, qualified registered early childhood educators, part-time or full-time attendance. Programs must adhere to regulations overseen by the Ministry of Education and follow How Does Learning Happen? Ontario’s pedagogy for the early years. Licensed programs are monitored annually.

Unlicensed child care also has regulations by the Ministry, including the number of children allowed in a provider’s home. Unlicensed child care Is not monitored as closely as licensed programs. Learn more by visiting the Ministry of Education’s types of child care webpage.

2. See if you qualify for child care fee subsidy

The Durham Region Children’s Services Division, Child Care Fee Subsidy Program helps families, who live in the Durham Region, with the daily cost of licensed child care. To be eligible, parents/caregivers need to be working, going to school, have a special or social need (yourself as the parent or your child) or be receiving Ontario Works. The Children’s Services Division has created an online Fee Subsidy Calculator, which uses your annual household income to estimate how much child care would cost when receiving fee subsidy. Learn more about Child Care Fee Subsidy and its application process; there is currently no wait time for eligible families. Families can receive care based on the date that care is required.

Illustration of a mom sitting cross-legged on the floor while her child colours beside her.

3. Search for licensed child care in your area

Using the Child Care Directory or the Children’s Program Locator interactive map, you can search for licensed homechild care agencies, child care centres and before-and-after school programs in your neighbourhood. The Children’s Services Division has created a video tutorial to help you find child care in your area. The Directory and Program Locator will provide information on the provider’s website, age groups offered, hours of operation, if child care fee subsidy is accepted, and if the building is accessible.

4. Speak with educators about supports available for children with special needs

In the Durham Region, licensed child care programs have the opportunity to enter into an agreement with the Children’s Services Division, which provides the provider to access funds from the Ministry of Education. This is called a Purchase of Service Agreement. Each provider must uphold quality standards known as the Durham Region Operating Criteria, including having an inclusivity statement. As such, providers with a Purchase of Service Agreement are connected to a network of Special Needs Resourcing (SNR) agencies. This network includes:

Each licensed child care program will work with caregivers and children with special needs to formulate an Individual Support Plan (ISP). This plan will help your child transition into care, receive supports to help them fully participate in the activities offered in the program, and enjoy their time with peers and educators.

Unlicensed child care providers are not able to apply for a Purchase of Service Agreement. This means, unlicensed providers are not monitored by the Durham Region Operating Criteria and do not have the same access to SNR agencies.

Illustration of a father colouring with his daughter.

5. Ask questions

Choosing a child care program can be a difficult decision. Here are some questions that you can ask the supervisors/directors when choosing the best child care for your child:

  • Is your home licensed with the Ministry of Education?
  • Is your centre required to follow Durham Region Operating Criteria for quality assurance?
  • What are the qualifications and training of the educators?
  • What does a typical day look like?
  • Do the educators have experience working with children with special needs?
  • Does your home or centre have access to SNR services?
  • How do you include children with special needs in your programming?
  • Are educators trained in first aid or emergencies?
  • How can I help support my child’s needs while at child care?

For a comprehensive list of questions, check out the Ministry of Education’s common questions to ask a child care provider online tip sheet.

For Support to find child care placements, families can contact:

Resources for Exceptional Children and Youth, Durham Region, Access Coordinators – Sue or Kristen at 905 427-8862 extension 504.

Authors

This blog was written in partnership with The Regional Municipality of Durham, Children’s Services Division. The Children’s Services Division is responsible for planning, funding and managing the early learning and child care sector in the Durham Region. For more information, please visit the Children’s Services Division website.

The Grandview Kids Vaccine Clinic supports National Vaccine and Kids Day

On Thursday, January 27, Grandview Kids is joining organizations across the country in a National Kids and Vaccines Day. This day is led by Children’s Healthcare Canada, ScienceUpFirst and the Sandbox Project to promote vaccine confidence to the largest unvaccinated cohort of Canadians.

In the Durham Region, only about half of eligible children between the ages of 5 and 11 years have received their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. Grandview Kids is playing an active role in empowering families to make an informed choice and supporting children through the vaccine process.

In December 2021, Grandview Kids opened a Paediatric Vaccine Clinic focused on providing a sensory-safe environment for children and youth who require a little bit more time and support.

A little boy holding his mother's hand while waiting to be vaccinated by a nurse at the Grandview Kids vaccine clinic.

The Martin family share more about their experience:

Our girls, Teagan (age 11) and Logan (age 7), both live with autism and were vaccinated with their first dose in December and second dose is in February through Grandview Kids. After having to deal with the anxiety and fear issues that came with having to have COVID swab tests done at local centres we were hoping that we would be able to find a place that was quiet inviting and understanding of how to work with special needs children to receive their vaccines and Grandview went above and beyond in assisting in that. The kids were very excited at the sensory elements provided to help ease their anxiety and the gift table afterwards was a big hit with them as they were very much looking forward to what the table offered and they got to pick out something.

Kara, Greg, Teagan and Logan Martin

Thus far, the clinic has administered more than 1,500 children, youth, members of the Grandview Kids staff and their families. Each child and youth is met by a friendly Peer Navigator, who will provide words of encouragement, fidget toys, movies, colouring sheets, prizes and a safe, quiet space to receive the vaccine. No one is rushed and everyone is welcome.

Two boys holding their treats after successfully receiving their vaccine at Grandview Kids' vaccine clinic.

“It has been a wonderful experience knowing we are actively contributing to the fight again COVID-19 in our community,” shares Grandview Kids Chief Executive Officer, Lorraine Sunstrum-Mann. “We are proud to provide a sprinkle of joy to an experience that can be distressing to children and their families.”

Appointments for upcoming clinics for children (5 to 12 years) and youth (13 to 17 years) are available on the Grandview Kids Eventbrite webpage. Each clinic is run by volunteers, with additional support provided by Grandview Kids Peer Navigators, and vaccines delivered by Grandview Kids regulated healthcare professionals. “As I reflect on the services provided by the Grandview Kids Vaccine Clinic, we must send a shout-out to all the kids we have met. We have been moved to tears at their bravery and belly laughed at the antics and incredible negotiating skills of the kids getting their shot. What we know for sure is that kids can do really hard things. Kids are curious, and kids want to do their part to help move forward beyond COVID” (Lorraine Sunstrum-Mann, Grandview Kids CEO).

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