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Local Announcements

Love Together, Parent Together Study - 04-07-2022

The pandemic has been stressful for parents with young children, and the Love Together, Parent Together Study wants to help. The study is seeking both members of couples who have young children to participate in a five-month study. Couples will have the chance to participate in a brief writing program that will teach them strategies to manage disagreements.

Each partner will be compensated for all parts of the study they complete and can earn up to $80 in Amazon or Starbucks gift cards (for a total of $160 per couple).

This study is open to all bodies, genders and orientations.

Find Local COVID-19 Vaccination Clinics - 03-08-2022

Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health will be offering drop-in and appointment-based COVID-19 vaccination clinics this week and next, during March Break. Clinics are open to all those eligible for any dose.

Also, K-12 Student Immunization Catch-up Clinics are being offered for Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph students from K-12. Appointments are available throughout March break at various locations.

Use the online booking system to book COVID-19 or other immunization appointments.

COVID-19 Vaccine Bookings to Open For All Children Aged 5 to 11 - 11-25-2021

Families can book appointments through a variety of channels starting November 23rd

Following Health Canada’s approval of the paediatric Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine, children aged five to 11 will be eligible to book their appointment to receive the vaccine beginning Tuesday, November 23, 2021. Approximately one million children aged five to 11 are eligible to receive the vaccine which will help protect Ontario’s progress in the fight against COVID-19 and keep the province’s schools safer and open for in-person learning as more people move indoors and attend family gatherings during the colder months this winter. Read the full news release.

New Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and Resilience Training Module Now Available - 05-05-2021

Complete the new Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and Resilience training module:

Reducing Stress and Promoting Resilience in Young Children.

The free, self-directed Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) Coalition of Guelph & Wellington ACEs & Resilience Learning Modules are intended for human service professionals (including but not limited to, Primary Care Providers, Registered Nurses, Registered Practical Nurses, Social Workers, Outreach Workers and Pharmacists) interested in learning more about Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and Resilience. Content is also useful for educators, including early childhood educators, volunteers working with children and families, or anyone wanting to develop a better understanding of the relationship between early life experiences and long-term health. Modules may be completed in 5-7 hours, and all participants will receive a certificate of recognition upon completion.

Modules include:

Module 1: An Introduction to Adverse Childhood Experiences
Module 2: The Impacts of Adverse Childhood Experiences
Module 3: Resilience
Module 4: Taking Action to Prevent and Reduce the Effects of ACEs and Build Resilience
Module 5: ACEs and Resilience Practice Case
Specialized Module: Reducing Stress and Promoting Resilience in Young Children

The ACEs Coalition is working towards a resilient community that prevents and reduces the effects of Adverse Childhood Experiences in Guelph and Wellington County.

Inclusive Early Childhood Service System Study - 03-17-2021

Is your child younger than school-age?

Do you want to talk to a researcher about your experience with getting support for your child?

The Inclusive Early Childhood Services System Project wants to learn from what you know about getting support for your child. The study hopes to learn more about how early childhood services are meeting the needs of children with “atypical development”, “special needs”, “disability”, or “gifts”.

What’s involved: phone interview with research staff (30 min up to 2 hours). Interpreters are available at no cost to families and participants receive a $30 gift card as a thank you. To join the Inclusive Early Childhood Service System Project (IECSS) study or find out more, contact inclusion@ryerson.ca, 1-833-671-8003 or 416-979-5263.

Provincial Announcements

Ontario Expanding Mental Health Services for Children and Youth - 07-09-2021

Investments Part of Government’s Plan to Reduce Wait Times and Burden on Hospitals

The Ontario government is providing over $31 million to help improve access to specialized mental health treatment services, reduce waitlists and wait times, and support the mental health and wellbeing of children and youth by addressing the increased demand for services during COVID-19. This funding is part of the government’s commitment to invest $3.8 billion over 10 years to implement the Roadmap to Wellness, Ontario’s plan to build a comprehensive and connected mental health and addictions system to serve Ontarians of all ages. Read the full news release.

Ontario Highlights Innovative Child and Youth Mental Health Service - 04-22-2021

Province showcasing tele-mental health service in national podcast series

TORONTO — Today, Premier Doug Ford, Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health, and Michael Tibollo, Associate Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, issued the following statement on Ontario's participation in a 13-part podcast series featuring promising practices and innovative mental health and addictions programs across Canada.

"Across Ontario, many individuals and families continue to struggle with the impacts of COVID-19 on their mental health. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, more than one million Ontarians experienced a mental health or addiction challenge each year. The COVID-19 pandemic has presented new and more complex challenges, including the need for more virtual supports as Ontarians have spent more time at home. Finding effective ways to support the mental health needs of Ontarians and sharing innovative and best practices is a top priority for our government.

Read the full news release.Province showcasing tele-mental health service in national podcast series

Read the full news release.

Ontario Increasing Supports for Black Students - 03-17-2021

Student and Family Advocates to help Black children and youth achieve their educational goals

The Ontario government is investing $6 million over the next three years to help Black children and youth achieve their educational and career goals by creating the new Student and Family Advocates initiative in Ottawa, Hamilton and the Greater Toronto Area. The advocates will provide community-based and culturally relevant supports to Black students ages 6-25 and act as advocates for Black families within the education system.

"Our government is committed to helping Black children and youth achieve their full potential. That's why we are expanding programming under the Black Youth Action Plan and creating community-based initiatives like the Student and Family Advocates," said Todd Smith, Minister of Children, Community and Social Services. "We are working directly with community organizations to ensure these advocates are in the best position to help students achieve their academic, career and life goals by helping them overcome barriers and access more resources within the school system."

As a result of numerous systemic and structural barriers, Black children and youth in Ontario are disproportionately experiencing more negative educational outcomes than their peers. Studies show Black students are more likely to be suspended or expelled and are less likely to complete high school or enter post-secondary education.

Beginning in the spring, Student and Family Advocates will work out of local organizations to provide specific supports tailored to the individual needs of Black students. Supports will include:

Working with students and families to develop a plan for achieving their goals
Attending meetings with teachers, guidance counsellors, and school administrators to discuss student progress
Developing trust-based relationships with participants and helping them build positive relationships with educators, student peers, and community members
Connecting students and families to resources and supports like community programming, learning opportunities, tutoring and mentorships, job placements and scholarship or leadership opportunities.

In addition, student advocates will provide leadership, advice and support to schools on anti-Black racism and work alongside community partners, participants and schools to amplify the voices of Black students and families to activate changes in Ontario's education system.

"Since I started in the role of Advocate for Community Opportunities in December 2019, I've consistently heard from parents, youth, and grassroots community groups that we need to build community capacity to navigate the education system and hold schools accountable," said Jamil Jivani, Ontario's Advocate for Community Opportunities. "The Student and Family Advocates initiative builds on the great work already being done in Black communities for years, by providing needed resources to those who work directly with students and parents."

The Student and Family Advocates initiative is part of Ontario's $60 million expanded Black Youth Action Plan which works toward eliminating systemic, race-based disparities by increasing opportunities for Black children, youth and families across the province.

Read the full news release.

Ontario Offers New Sign Language Courses to Secondary Students 03-17-2021

TORONTO - Ontario is becoming one of the first jurisdictions in Canada to offer high school students in the province second-language courses in American Sign Language (ASL) and Langue des signes quebecoise (LSQ).

Details were provided today by Stephen Lecce, Minister of Education and Raymond Cho, Minister of Seniors and Accessibility.

"By expanding second-language course options for students, our Government is cementing its role as a leader in providing innovative learning opportunities," said Minister Lecce. "By offering students the chance to learn ASL or LSQ, they can expand their language skills while developing greater understanding of Ontario's ASL and LSQ culture."

Starting in September 2021, high schools may offer American Sign Language as a second language and Langue des signes québécoise langue seconde to provide students with the opportunity to develop new language and conversation skills, gain cultural understandings, and learn about ASL or LSQ literary works and texts.

ASL and LSQ are distinct languages, each with unique histories, cultural references and distinct grammar and syntax. To ensure linguistic accuracy, and to include authentic ASL and LSQ stories, the Ministry of Education consulted with the ASL and LSQ communities on the course content.

"By giving high school students the opportunity to learn ASL and/or LSQ, we are increasing language and cultural skills," said Raymond Cho, Minister of Seniors and Accessibility.

Read the full news release.

Ontario Expanding Supports for Families of Children with Autism 02-22-2021

New core services and additional funding will offer greater choice based on need.

TORONTO — The Ontario government is providing additional supports for families of children on the autism spectrum. Starting in March, the province will begin offering core clinical services based on a child's individual needs, a key element of the new Ontario Autism Program. These services include applied behaviour analysis, speech language pathology, occupational therapy and mental health supports.

Recognizing the challenges and uncertainty families are facing as a result of COVID-19, the government will be offering an additional extension of funding to purchase eligible services and supports parents feel are most appropriate for their children as the province continues to implement a needs-based autism program. Further details about eligibility and how to apply for the extension of funding will be shared in the coming weeks.

Read the full news release.