Countless in-person events, like clinical appointments, moved to virtual ones throughout the pandemic. Many people (especially children and youth) take time to get used to the switch to virtual, and warming up to the idea of a virtual appointment can be a big ask. In this blog, Grandview Kids Speech-Language Therapy Assistant Karen has compiled some of her top points, breaking down the usefulness of virtual therapy sessions during the pandemic.

---

What makes virtual appointments useful compared to in-person ones?

• What happens between sessions (167 hours per week) is much more valuable than what happens in a session (1 hour)
• Practicing an activity with a clinician talking you through it empowers you to feel confident when practicing between sessions
• Virtual care allows clinicians to provide relevant, real-time suggestions tailored to specific family needs
• You can partner with a clinician to find ways to embed goals into existing activities – eliminating the need to find extra “therapy time”
• Eliminate transitions in and out of the car/centre/therapy room and putting on/taking off winter gear
• Identify the MOST relevant target, that may have a domino effect in improving other skills
• When clinicians coach families through using the strategies, parents get to experience the successes (i.e., new words, first steps) first-hand!

What could a virtual appointment look like other than child and clinician directly engaging in activities together?

• A phone call to discuss goals and brainstorm ideas
• A zoom call to look at space/materials and discussion around daily routines, and tailored suggestions to work existing goals into your day
• Clinician could observe you and your child during a favourite activity, or daily routine, and provide tips of how to target goals in those activities
• Clinician could observe and help troubleshoot a challenging routine (i.e., brushing teeth or meal time)
• Clinician could actively coach you through using strategies during playtime or an existing daily routine

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!

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.

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.

We need your help!

Are you looking for a volunteer position to support your community? We are accepting applications for Volunteers to support our Welcome Centre Screener/Greeter Volunteer role at many of our Grandview locations. 

If you are interested in volunteering 1-2 shifts per week and can commit to volunteer for at least 4 months, please complete the online volunteer application on our Volunteering Page.

The Screener and Greeter is a critical role and part of our enhanced protocols to ensure the safety of volunteers, staff, clients and families.  This role is the first point of contact for the family, clients and visitors and follows a strict protocol. This position completes the screening with the family following a COVID checklist, communicates with staff and therapists, makes reminder calls, and completes administrative support tasks as required. Volunteers must be flexible, reliable and able to volunteer during the volunteer shifts outlined below.

Volunteers are asked to commit to at least one shift a week.

We are recruiting screener/greeter positions at the Oshawa, Paul Dwyer and Ajax locations. Please specify location and shift/day preference in your application.

Volunteer shifts are Monday to Friday and some Saturdays at specified locations:

• 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
• 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
• 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Written by Grandview Kids Occupational Therapist, Desiree

---

I feel represented. My children are represented. The students on my caseload are represented more than ever before!  What am I talking about, you ask?  As a black woman, mother and an Occupational Therapist (OT), I am thrilled to see myself in historical characters, such as Harriet Tubman, on the big movie screen. 

I am encouraged for my sons when they see the late Chadwick Boseman play the dynamic Black Panther in theatres.  I am hopeful for the children on my caseload, who are on the Autism Spectrum when their future employers get comfortable seeing Freddie Highmore play the brilliant Dr. Shaun Murphy on the hit T.V. show, The Good Doctor.  Lastly, I am inspired by Paras Patel, who plays the disciple with Asperger’s Syndrome, on the sensational YouTube series, The Chosen. 

We cannot be what we cannot see. So, I am so happy to be seeing such representation in entertainment, appreciating we still have work to do. If all the world is a stage, then there is enough room for each of us to have an opportunity to shine.