Family Support Services

Having a child with special needs can sometimes be difficult for parents and/or caregivers to deal with. Grandview's Family Support Services team is available to offer guidance to clients and their families through individual, family or group counseling in the following areas:

• support groups and programs
• networking with other parents
• orientation to Grandview
• funding
• respite care
• accessing community resources
• service coordination
• advocacy and consultation

Grandview's Family Support Services team works closely with pre-school, school age and adolescent clients, and their families, in areas that include healthcare, education and social services. They also work as a team with therapists to ensure an overall effective approach to treatment.

Family Support staff also provide assistance with accessing community resources and service coordination.

Easter Seals Recreational Choices funding application form. (Limited funding, up to $500. is available for recreation programs.  The dollars can be used to attend a summer camp, including Grandview's) 
http://www.eastersealscamps.org/camp/wp-content/themes/jillij/downloads/2011-Choices-Program-Application-Form.pdf 

Upcoming Events

Lindsay Moir - will be joining us again this year on Saturday, Nov. 5th.  The focus of the presentation this year will be on "Problem Solving at School", and will include a wealth of valuable information, focusing on physical diagnoses.  Some of the issues to be discussed include the pro's & con's of IEPs/Labelling, what information is shared, school streaming, ME class placements, home schooling/home programming; and much more! Our target audience for this program are families that have already been involved with the school system.

Celebrating ME! - will be a 5 week group for children with disabilities between the ages of 9-12 years.  It will be held on Tuesdays - November 1, 8, 15, 22, and 29th from 6:30 - 8pm.  This fun-filled group is designed to promote healthy self-esteem, along with strategies to handle some of life's challenges.  Through-out this group, the kids will identify and celebrate their many strengths and qualities.

Stepping Stones to School - this is a 4-week program for families who have not yet started school or have just started school this year.  It will take place on Wednesdays - February 15, 22, 29 & March 7th from 6:30 - 8:30pm.  Stepping Stones has been designed to provide families of kids with disability the information they need for school, including IEPs & IPRCs, building relationships with the school, and building vision & values for their child.  It includes speakers from the various school boards and community partners involved in the school, as well as a panel of parents who have been through this before.

MUM's Group (Mothers Understanding Mothers) - we have 3 MUM's support groups: Ajax - Wed. evenings, held once monthly, Oshawa - Thursday mornings, held twice monthly and Oshawa - Wed. evening, also held twice monthly. 

DAD's Group - (Dads Accepting Differences) is held monthly in Oshawa on Wed. evenings.  This group is a relaxed opportunity for Dads to get together and talk about their kids, disability or the last nights game. 

Grandview Girls Group  (aka Spa Day!) - This is a joint OT/FSS group that is  held quarterly.  This group provides adolescent girls with an opportunity to learn about self-care and self-worth.  There are many opportunities for girls to share their thoughts, learn new information nd be pampered!  

The Family Support Services team oversees a wide range of therapeutic groups for clients of all ages, as well as for parents. These include: 

• Celebrating Me: promotes positive self-esteem and develops strategies on how to handle life’s challenges in a fun and non-threatening environment. For children, 7 to 12 years of age
• Sibling Groups and Events: designed for siblings of children with special needs. Provides opportunities to meet other children in similar situations, share experiences and concerns in a relaxing atmosphere. Encourages the development of a caring relationship with a sibling with special needs.
• Parent Group: focused on addressing the experiences and concerns that parents of children with special needs face. Meetings take place twice a month in an informal and supportive environment.
• Link ‘n Learn: an information based parent group that provides support to parents of children with special needs. Topics include stress management, school systems, sleep and toileting issues, sibling issues and funding.

As well, there are a number of Support Groups for Adolescents.

The following programs are tailored to adolescents and young adults, and are provided by our multidisciplinary adolescent team:

• Teen Group: a social-recreational group. Activities include karaoke, board games, cards, Nintendo and listening to music. Visit the Teen Group site, site designed by the Youth Advisory Council.
• Relationships and Sexual Health: a psycho-educational workshop that teaches youth and their parents about relationships and sexual health, especially as it relates to youths with disabilities. This program is offered in partnership with the Department of Public Health, Durham Region.
• Independence Weekend: an annual event geared to helping adolescents maximize their future independence in the community. Tasks such as meal planning, cooking, dishwashing, cleaning and personal hygiene are the norm.
• Community Integration: designed to help improve mobility and independence in the community. Includes trips to the shopping centre, grocery store and a trip to Toronto on the GO train.
• Youth Advisory Council: Former and current Grandview clients (aged 13 to 29 years) advise the Grandview adolescent team on programming and operating some social and recreational functions. Visit the Youth Advisory Council site, site designed by the Youth Advisory Council.

There are a number of activities provided through Grandview’s Adolescent Program. Each, however, has the same GOALS for adolescents and youths with special needs:

• To maximize an adolescent’s ability to function, and be as independent as possible, in the home and in the community;
• To prepare for a smooth transition to adult living; and
• To promote a healthy lifestyle as well as social and emotional well-being.

Methods that Help Adolescents Reach Their Goals

Under the guidance of Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists and Grandview’s Family Support Services team, adolescent clients are helped by:

• individual therapy
• group interventions
• home and transportation assessment and prescription of equipment
• client and family education
• advocacy
• building and continuing partnerships with community agencies and referral sources.

Eligibility for Adolescent Programs

Youths and young adults with cognitive and physical disabilities who live in Durham Region are qualified to take part in Grandview’s Adolescent program, if the following criteria is met:

• Have a physical disability (significant neurological or complex orthopedic diagnosis that interferes with functional mobility);   
• Live in Durham Region; however, it may be possible for youth residing outside of Durham Region to access Grandview through their local Children's Treatment Centre;
• Are between the ages of 13 and 19 years of age at the time of admission.
• If a client has active goals, he/she may stay on caseload until his/her 21st birthday.

For additional information on Grandview’s Adolescent Program, contact us 

IMPORTANT ISSUES FOR PEOPLE AFTER DISCHARGE

Often the challenges that our clients face as adolescents continue into adulthood. They also face additional hurdles transitioning from adolescence to adulthood. Services are available in the community to help address some of these challenges once clients are discharged from Grandview. The service providers however, are scattered throughout the Durham and Toronto areas. It is very important to find out which service provider will best meet specific needs and then advocate for those services.