Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital is proud to launch its Family Navigation Hub online to help increase the reach and accessibility of this innovative resource designed to help families access vital information and services related to social needs.  Addressing areas including stable housing, food security, income support and childcare, the hub is also complemented by CommunityCONNECT, monthly virtual sessions dedicated to connecting families with vital community resources.

Jessica Reid, the team lead of the Family Navigation Hub, notes that this initiative started in 2020 in response to the global pandemic, and the introduction of social needs screening into programs within the hospital. A team of dedicated professionals would work closely with clients and families to understand their unique needs and challenges and then provide a personalized approach to ensure they could be connected the right in-hospital or community-based resources.

“We are excited to launch an online presence for the Family Navigation Hub to expand access to these critical resources," says Reid. "Our goal is to make it easier for families and staff to find and share commonly used community resources that address social determinants of health. We also hope that clients and families are able to take advantage of and benefit from our monthly CommunityCONNECT series."

The CommunityCONNECT virtual sessions are an extension of the Family Navigation Hub, enabling families to connect with a service partner within their community through an informational presentation and facilitated question and answer period. Anyone in the community who has a loved one with a disability (18 years of age and under) can attend these sessions – their child doesn’t have to be a Holland Bloorview client.

“As a parent of an outpatient client and a member of the strategic task force at Holland Bloorview, I am thrilled to see the Family Navigation Hub and CommunityCONNECT become available to families,” says Gunjan Seth, family leader at Holland Bloorview. “These resources are invaluable, streamlining access to care and services both at the hospital and within the community. They save significant time and energy, greatly reducing caregiver fatigue and stress by simplifying navigation through the complex system. They are a testament to Holland Bloorview's commitment to agile, inclusive, and socially accountable care.”

The Family Navigation Hub collaborates with Master of Social Work students completing practicums to support the delivery of family navigation interventions using a student-led environment.

Tammy Chong, a social worker with Holland Bloorview's child development program, shared similar excitement. “The Family Navigation Hub proudly features a unique collaboration with Master of Social Work students, fostering student leadership and innovative thinking within a student-led learning environment. We are excited to expand our scope and explore additional resources to address families' unmet social needs through this collaborative effort.”

For more information, visit the Family Navigation Hub and CommunityCONNECT.