|
Sarnia, ON – The County of Lambton has completed a review of its Special Needs Resource delivery after completing six public consultations, reviewing feedback from parents and child care centres and conducting interviews.
Special Needs Resource Services provide support, advice and guidance to child care centres that help integrate children with special needs into the child care setting. The current review of the service began in 2003, with County staff conducting interviews, holding public consultations, and collecting feedback through written submissions.
The new service delivery model will allow equal access to services for all children with special needs throughout Lambton County. The service will be improved through coordination, and service will expand to include children in licensed home day care which was not available previously.
“The ability to provide the service in additional child care settings means that there will be increased opportunities for children to be successfully integrated into child care settings,” said SueO’Brien, Manager Children’s Services. “These children will be provided with the opportunity for learning the essential skills that they will require to meet their full potential in life.
Pathways Health Centre for Children will be providing the service for the County of Lambton. Pathways was chosen after a thorough request for proposal process. An evaluation team consisting of representatives from the children’s services department, social services department, corporate services division, a child care professional from a neighboring municipality and a member of the community assessed the proposals.
Lambton County funded Special Needs Resource Services to 216 children with special needs in 2003 at a cost of $766,444.00.
“Lambton County now has a new service delivery model that will provide improved services to children and families living in the County of Lambton,” said O’Brien. “It was a lengthy process, but we wanted to ensure that we heard everyone’s suggestions, ideas, concerns and problems.”
For more information about Lambton County, visit www.lambtononline.ca.
-30-
Contact:
Sue O’Brien,
Manager, Children’s Services
County of Lambton
Telephone: (519) 383-8331 ext. 242
Fax: (519) 383-7092
email: sue.obrien@county-lambton.on.ca
| 
