Children s Planning Table Forum - Barriers Activity Results (Dec 2013) Members of the Children s Planning Table were asked to respond to the following two-part question in small groups of five to six people: 1. Brainstorm a list of barriers that children/families experience with universal services. Circle the top 5 barriers. 2. What ideas, initiatives or projects could we work on that address these barriers? Their responses circled as the top 5 barriers were analyzed and similar barriers were grouped into themes. Six themes were identified and are listed in the charts below. Each of the ideas, initiatives or projects that were suggested were then listed under the six theme areas (left column) and then grouped into focus areas (right column). 1. Awareness/Navigation # of times it made Top 5 17 Awareness - Multi-mediums (brochures, QR codes and website, facebook page) - How can we best utilize schools (already in every neighbourhood) - teachers - Utilize 211 as a centralized and accessible resource - Communicating what is available - Marketing to community did you know campaign - Outreach to people where they are - Community outreach workers personal contact - Social media services, resources, etc. - Key messages to create awareness - Advertising to parents what is out there - Educate on pathways to service - What areas/groups do we need to set the info to/unexpected places (malls, companies) - Educate physicians about community supports - Child care to offer information about what is available in the community - Brainstorm how to get to families Best Start Child and Family Welcome Wagon Workers especially for families that need extra support - Connect with more isolated populations through group leaders (e.g., cultural groups) - Community garden connection? - Home Visitor model re-birthed to include bringing groups together Awareness 1. Information Sharing 211 did you know campaign Social media Websites, QR Codes Key messages Community open houses 2. Educating Key Supports Physicians Teachers Cultural leaders Multi-generations Child care 3. Community Outreach Home visitor programs Welcome wagon Community outreach workers Document Number: 1525764 v4 1
1. Awareness/Navigation # of times it made Top 5 17 - Getting word out as to what programs exist - Increase marketing o Long term value o Education/ know about o Multigenerational - Community open houses - Engage family members or community members to help parents with getting services - Make sure that everyone knows the pathways/full scope of services to help families navigate the system - Everyone needs to better understand what risks look like to know how to guide families - Invest in newcomers (skills) to be leaders in their own community we need to go into homes and communities Navigation 4. Virtual Hubs/Single Point of Access One phone number to call All information in one place Apply for multiple programs online at the same time (system is able to let the family know what other programs they may qualify for) One website for all services o Each organization keeps their information up to date Navigating Services Expand OneList to include all - Continue with development of Best Start Community centres to bring services closer (location programs wise) for families - Consumer mentoring program (e.g., experienced peers helping people new to the services) 5. Physical Hubs/Single Point of Access - Neighbourhood-based approach Develop Best Start Child and - Single point of access Family Centres as one location - If you are a parent with a question, phone for services - OEYC: knowing what to expect regardless of where you access the services Utilize schools as hubs - One stop shopping Locate services in o Agencies coordinate together neighbourhoods o Have 1 person help bring the services together for families Apply for all programs in one - Address the local and central ways to deliver custom yet coordinated and streamlined services location - Locate info for families in a way that is very central and accessible to people Bring services to OEYCs - Align new births with a point of contact within 6 months of birth and continued on More co-location of services - Common point of contact between 18 months and kindergarten - Neighbourhood approach (self-efficacy) 6. Navigator Model - Apply for all services at once e.g., if you qualify for child care subsidy, system to tell them what Have one person bring services else they qualify for and auto apply Document Number: 1525764 v4 2
1. Awareness/Navigation # of times it made Top 5 17 - Bring services to OEYCs, etc. to support families - Create child care centres as hubs for family services - Develop shared service delivery standards/principles - Common forms that are shared consents - Integrated conversations, single stories - Regional web based site that is accessible to all organizations that provide services to parents in our community (service providers would have administrative access to update info as needed. Where the interactive map is not always up to date). o The site would explain what the services are, where & how to access it - Single point of access - Expand OneList system to be more inclusive o Link licensed and unlicensed (community) programs - Neighbourhood services hubs with a variety of services - Bringing programs to the workplace - Increase colocation of services e.g., therapy, etc. available at OEYC - One stop shopping for services o Keep in simple o Must be accessible - System navigator o Role like an outreach worker to help setup, connect to services and relay info about family between services o Helps to not tell their story more than once o Help families with logistics - Staff person needs to know the right questions to ask to help people navigate the system - One HSN include other services - seasoned parent mentors - How can we best utilize schools (already in every neighbourhood) - Dependable service (minimize change to service time, staffing, location) - Use the United way initiative to engage in a community project that addresses these barriers - Interconnectedness of services (travel to client home or other SPOS) together for families Use experienced peers to help people navigate services One point of contact for all new births Navigator role to help setup, connect to services, deal with logistics, and relay information about the family between services Train staff people to be navigators of the system for families Use experienced parents as mentors for new families Document Number: 1525764 v4 3
2. Cost of services # of times it made Top 5 11 - Payment plans o Free services o Based on income - Overview of funding options for families o Ensure that service providers have this info - Cost flexibility where possible o Use judgement not one size fits all o Try before you buy o Subsidies, sponsors - Cost = value? If low charge will parents come, pay up front and get back when attend 3. Lack of flexibility/rigidity of services # of times it made Top 5 9 - Extended hours - Home visits - Electronic access - Offer services when suitable for all families - Common eligibility criteria across various funding programs - On-line applications for privacy, hours of accessibility - More time of day options, include meals for programs at end of day - Combining adult and child options at same time, same location, offer meal (multigenerational) - Bring a friend - Simplifying registration process for fairness - Cost flexibility where possible 1. Increase flexibility of program costs 2. Educate about possible funding options available Subsidies Payment plans Free for low income Sponsorships 1. More flexible hours Extended hours, weekends, etc. On-line applications and services 2. Simplify registration Co-location of services Include a meal Multigenerational services 3. Increase flexibility of program costs Document Number: 1525764 v4 4
4. Transportation # of times it made Top 5 8 - Advocating/presenting to transport officials flaws in transportation systems - Volunteer driving program - Continue with development of Best Start Community centres to bring services closer (location wise) for families - Neighbourhood-based approach - Single point of access - Home visits - Electronic access - Locate info for families in a way that is very central and accessible to people - Volunteer driving programs - Affordable public transit - Make services neighbourhood based to encourage walking - Bring services to OEYCs, etc. to support families - On-line applications for privacy, hours of accessibility - Provide bus tickets to families in need - Bringing programs out to communities where there is need - Accessible to computer, bus passes - Bringing programs to the workplace - Home Visitor model re-birthed to include bringing groups together - Programs vans, co-locate ; on bus routes, multi-sites - Providing free transportation - Convenient - Accessible 1. Easily accessible locations/one location for multiple services Best Start Family and Children s Centres Hub/single point of access Co-location of services 2. Provide transportation for families Volunteer drivers Bus tickets better public transit system 3. Go to the family Home visits Go to their neighbourhood 4. On-line services Document Number: 1525764 v4 5
5. Language/cultural # of times it made Top 5 6 - Translate materials - Offer in multiple languages (translator) - All materials in various languages - Hiring diverse staff with language or hire interpreters - Cultural sensitivity/language barriers - Settlement workers - Translators - Translation of key services/documents - Make sure multicultural resources are available - Reaching diverse cultures 6. Stigma # of times it made Top 5 4 - Promote value of health childhood development and normalizing it - Awareness campaign for families to reduce stigma - Trusting that when people are seeking help are in need - Be welcoming to reduce stigma - Neighbourhood based strategies to reduce stigmas - Accessible food hamper stigma 1. Increased translation and interpreter services Translate materials Staff that speak multiple languages Use of settlement workers 2. Increase cultural sensitivity More diverse, multicultural resources Outreach to cultural groups 1. Changes to programs to help reduce stigma Trust that clients need the service Be welcoming 2. Raise awareness to normalize the use of services Other Ideas to respond to Barriers (these ideas didn t fit within the six barrier themes) - Professional development for staff around inclusion and accessibility - Advocacy for funding in professional development is not available Document Number: 1525764 v4 6
- Partnering with other programs to make professional development affordable - Rethink funding of and for children with special needs by Ministry of Education - Organizing an advocacy campaign for children who need these special services - Some targeted programs for priority populations - Involve stakeholders in what you do -?? modes of accessibility - Knowledgeable community knowledgeable professional? - If we say that it s accessible programming, it needs to be accessible programming - Stakeholder feedback on whether this is actually feasible - Are organizations delivering programs following existing research, principles, and program development guidelines? - Share measures, learnings - School board work with region in an effective and coordinated way to maximize resources and address gaps - Movement forward depends on the system, not networking and relationship building between two people - Talk to the other regional planning bodies doing similar work (MCYS Children & Youth Council) - Community engagement, shared resources o Babysitting, Skills exchange, Service knowledge - Advocating as a collective (strength in numbers) - Region wide library card - Similar concept for other services that are city based, i.e. swimming lessons, licensing child care - Advocacy with MEDU and educate providers re: developmental health & benefits of licensing - Shared spaces common cupboards, food - All agencies having some minimum standard - When it s universal its more inclusive - School space after hours - Opportunities for professionals to share - Let go of our expertise and share with others collaborate - Get community investment - Learn more about work being in the community and continue! (don t start over) - Staffing o Relationships are key o Continuity, consistency - Building on strategies that are already existing (not re-inventing the wheel) - Provide sufficient funding that will make projects sustainable (this may mean less projects) Document Number: 1525764 v4 7