The information provided in this newsletter is for reference only. It is not intended as a recommendation or endorsement of organizations, news sources, policies or political parties, or as a comprehensive resource list. Past newsletters and COVID-19 specific tipsheets can be accessed here.
Holland Bloorview
Events | Workshops | New Resources
- Planning Through Transitions Workshop: A Panel (May 5):This panel will feature people with disabilities, staff and parents who will speak about their experiences of planning through a transition.
- SSAH & ACSD Funding Workshop Hosted by the Family Navigation Hub (May 10): This workshop will include information about understanding SSAH and ACSD provincial funding programs - eligibility criteria and program guidelines; Enhanced Respite; Turning 18 and moving out of SSAH and ACSD.
- Transition Pop-Up Events: Register for group events that help clients and/or families prepare for the transition to-adulthood. The events are about different topics. They are co-hosted by Holland Bloorview and an adult agency, for gradual introductions to new service providers.
- Post-secondary education & career virtual workshop series. Register and/or watch recorded sessions (Scroll to bottom "Workshop Series").
- Family Resource Centre: Virtual workshops and events for families (March - July 2022): Includes new events for parent support network, family workshops and family navigation hub.
- Holland Bloorview's Autism Summit (December 10-14, 2022): Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital is excited to offer a FREE five-day online Autism Summit designed for occupational therapists and occupational therapy students. Please note that other healthcare professionals, autistic self-advocates, families and other autism allies are most welcome to attend but keep in mind that the content of this Summit will be specifically designed to meet occupational therapists' learning needs.
- Updated: Family Tipsheet: Mental Health and Wellness Supports during the COVID-19 Outbreak
- BLOOM April 2022
Bloorview Research Institute
Kids, Virtual care and the COVID-19 pandemic: Learning from our experiences [Client Youth and Parent/Caregiver] | Holland Bloorview: Are you a client youth or parent/caregiver of a client who has received virtual care? Are you interested in sharing your virtual care experiences? We are doing a research study at Holland Bloorview to explore clients’ and caregivers’ experiences with receiving virtual care since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Your feedback on your overall experience with virtual care will contribute to the development of recommendations for a hybrid model of care across programs at Holland Bloorview, and to improve our ability to make services at Holland Bloorview more accessible, equitable, and relevant to families.
- We are looking for: Holland Bloorview clients (up to 21 years old) OR Parents/caregivers of clients who have received any type of virtual care (ex. assessment, consultation or intervention service) at Holland Bloorview or satellite/community school sites since March 2020.
- If you are interested in participating in this study or have additional questions, please contact Sharmigaa Ragunathan at trail@hollandbloorview.ca / 416-425-6220 ext. 3635. Contacting us does not obligate you to participate in the study.
Holland Bloorview resources
- ASD FEED-Ed is an education platform designed for the purpose of educating children, youth, parents, caregivers and healthcare professionals about feeding in autistic children.
- ‘All About Me' Infographic (recorded) can help you advocate and make it easier to explain what it is you or your child need. A series of learning modules and resources have been created to help you and/or your child create your infographic. Free ‘All About Me’ template available from Piktochart.
- HB Podcasts Podcasts on a variety of themes and topics to support and connect with children, youth and families living with disabilities.
- HB Info Line helps children, youth and families learn about and get connected to the many programs and services at Holland Bloorview.
- Parent Voices@Holland Bloorview Facebook & BLOOM@BLOOMHollandbloorview Facebook
COVID-19 testing and information
- SickKids COVID-19 Testing Centre online booking system: For children with medical complexities (CMC) who are eligible to receive a COVID-19 PCR test. Caregivers/providers will now use the online booking link to book the COVID-19 PCR test appointment at the SickKids COVID Testing Centre located at 555 University Ave (SickKids).
- parent homework.ca: Medical experts from top hospitals including Sick Kids, Kids Health Alliance and Holland Bloorview answer top COVID-19 questions asked by parents about children’s vaccine (Parent Homework).
Social events | Summer recreation
- 38th Annual Toronto Police Games (May 7): Registration deadline May 1. Participants and their siblings are invited to join us for this fun day of inclusive sports and recreation activities.Activities include: wheelchair basketball, sitting volleyball, boccia, and much more. Register here(Variety Village & Toronto Police).
- Abilities Expo (May 13 & 14): Attend free workshops and put your new knowledge into action immediately. Get tips on accessible travel, disability employment, assistive technology, disability savings & tax credits and so much more. Get more information and directions for this in-person event (Abilities Expo Toronto).
- Camp guide: Updated camp guide for children, youth and young adults with special needs. Click on the link for more resources related to respite and camp (Respiteservices.com).
Health and Wellness
- Boost Your Well-Being with a Nature Prescription (May 3): Learn about science-proven mental and physical health benefits of nature, and how including “green time” in your schedule can help our planet; tips on how to fit outdoor time into your busy routine: the “Park Prescription Program” (PaRx), now available in Ontario (Ontario Caregiver Organization).
- May Wellness Events (Surrey Place).
- Variety’s Virtual Adventure:Join this fun and free virtual program. Anyone can access it individually, one-to-one, in groups, classes or even the entire school. Any skill, any ability. This interactive exercise program can be done by anyone. Variety Staff will be available along the way to ensure exercises are adaptable for everyone's abilities (Variety Village).
- Virtual Exercise Program: A group-based program for adults with physical disabilities who have some independent mobility. This program focuses on using the whole body; incorporating mobility, strength, aerobics, and mindfulness into each class. You can participate either standing or seated (March of Dimes - adults).
Future Planning | Transitions
Partners for Planning
- Early Planning Priorities for Parents with a Young Child with a Disability: For families with a child ages 0 - 10 (May 2)
- Starting Strong in High School: For families with students in grade 6-9 (May 12)
- Introduction to the RDSP (May 18)
- The Henson Trust: For all ages (May 26)
- Early Financial Planning for Parents of a Young Child with a Disability: For families with a child ages 0-10 (June 7)
Developmental Services Ontario (DSO)
- How to Apply for Rent-Geared-to-Income (RGI) Housing Subsidy (May 4): Join DSO Housing Navigators for a free virtual presentation on how to apply for rent-geared-to-income (RGI) Housing Subsidy.
- Inspiring Families (May 12): Join DSO Housing Navigators on Thursday May 12th, 2022, from 10:00am to 12:00pm for a free virtual discussion with families who have created an individualized housing plan with their family member.
Accessibility
- fuelService app lets you find out if a gas station has a staff member that can help you fuel up before you go there. The app shows a list of participating locations, you pick the one most convenient for you. fuelservice app calls them up and ask if they can help in the next 30 minutes (fuelService App & Shell).
- Tetra is a non-profit charity organization that recruits volunteer engineers and skilled trades people to design and construct unique assistive devices for individuals with disabilities with no cost for labour. This includes modifications to commercial items as well.
- Fill out a Request for Assistance (RFA) online at tetrasociety.org and it will be directed to the Coordinator of the Tetra Chapter nearest the client for assignment of a volunteer to carry out the project request, in consultation with the client.
- No referral needed on the medical side, you do not submit medical documents and with few exceptions, material costs are also covered.
Research & Best Practice Guides
- Towards Cultural Competence: Communication for Diagnosticians when working with South Asian and Black Families of Children/Youth on the Autism Spectrum:This free toolkit provides cultural competence training for autism professionals with respect to South Asian and Black families in Ontario. Videos and interviews help to outline challenges and barriers as experienced by South Asian and Black Families (South Asian Autism Awareness Centre (SAAAC) & Children’s Treatment Network).
- Life Skills Program Guide: This guide is grounded in research to determine the key ingredients that make away-from-home life skills programs effective and successful for youth with disabilities. The guide showcases reflections from youth, parents and staff who have experienced these programs (Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital & Ontario Independence Program Research).
- Project Inclusion: A learning resource for Ontario educators built around the voices and experiences of students with disabilities, their families and school board staff. The website offers five learning modules on disability, accessibility and inclusion for staff working with students in kindergarten to Grade 12 (Holland Bloorview & the Ontario Ministry of Education).
For more events for caregivers, children, youth and young adults, you may want to explore the resources listed: Autism Ontario; Children’s Treatment Network; Connectability.ca; Community Access Learning Centre; Epilepsy Toronto; Family Service Toronto; Kerry’s Place Autism Services; My Community Hub;Meta Centre; Sunflower Developmental Services; Surrey Place - Wellness Services
Holland Bloorview’s Grocery Foundation Family Resource Centre is a place where you can find information and resources on childhood disability that are helpful to you and your family. We have information on: respite, recreation, housing, funding, education, parenting and more. All Holland Bloorview workshops and events are listed on www.hollandbloorview.ca/familyevents Questions? Please e-mail resourcecentre@hollandbloorview.ca