1. Peel Special Needs Strategy for Early Learning and Child Care

2. ELCC Task Force members heard the need to collaboratively develop a system strategy to ensure sustainable policies and programs to support children with special needs. As such, Council approved the following Task Force recommendations in relation to special needs:  Support children with special needs and their families  Leverage existing resources to enhance special needs supports  Strengthen and not duplicate, special needs services  Manage a centralized wait list  Build the capacity of licensed child care providers and increase access to quality inclusive child care Early Learning and Child Care Task Force

3. In December 2012, the managers from five special needs resourcing agencies and the Region of Peel, formed the Special Needs Steering Committee. Supported by: Peel Early Learning Special Needs Advisory Committee (PELSNAC)

4. The Peel Special Needs Strategy for Early Learning and Child Care includes three Strategic Directions. The Strategy envisions that: “In Peel all children, play, learn and grow together”

5. A key component of the Peel Special Needs Strategy (aligned under Strategic Direction: Effective Service), is the development of a new model of special needs resourcing services for children (0-6 years) in child care, referred to as the: PEEL INCLUSION RESOURCE SERVICES (PIRS) MODEL The PIRS model will: Provide all children with an opportunity to participate in child care Offer families and child care providers a centralized point for intake and follow-up Build capacity of child care providers to adopt inclusion practices Move away from thinking that every child with special needs requires a 1:1 support worker

6. Previous Approach: Special Needs Resourcing in Peel

7. Previous Approach or RC Child Care Provider

8. -Special Needs Agencies -Physicians/ Therapists -Families -Child Care Providers Five Service Areas: Family of Child Care Providers -Other community professionals Peel Inclusion Resource Services (PIRS) Model – Phase 1

9. PIRS Model 5 Service Areas 55 Resource Consultants 55 Families of Providers A Family of Providers includes both centre and home based providers Example: Peel East Service Area Profile: Peel East Approximately 50 licensed child care providers, not including home child care Approximately 2,734 licensed child care spaces 11 Resource Consultants 11 Families of Providers 1 Service Area Lead

10. EPS Current SN Agency Supervisors Service Area Leads: Support the PIRS Community of Practice Facilitate knowledge exchange Identify and facilitate access to training Support implementation of new initiatives Support access to EPS (6 – 12 years) Coordinate Service Area Meetings Identify gaps in Service Areas Resource Consultants: Support to providers Support to families Support to children Build community connections RC SALRC

11. NOW: 1 Resource Consultant provides supports to 1 Family of Providers RC Child Care Provider

12. Resource Consultant Role What it is… Coach, model, mentor and offer training for child care providers Partner with child care providers on common goals Provide general strategies to benefit all children and create an inclusive environment Resource to families (ie: support strategies, funding, toys) What it is not… included in ratios instruct or direct child care providers strategies for individual children unless on caseload responsible to fix all issues

13. Resource Consultant Role What it is… Liaise with therapists, doctors and other professionals Attend therapy sessions with other professionals Provide families with tools and resources to advocate for themselves Include everyone in the creation of the IPP (professionals, families, providers) What it is not… the “doer” for the families the sole developer of the IPP

14. Administered through ErinoakKids Centre for Treatment and Development Extra set of hands to support inclusion Supports implementation of agreed upon plans and actions Participates in ongoing learning and development Supports positive communication approach in team ENHANCED PROGRAM SUPPORT

15. Intended to be 1:1 To be used to cover breaks To be used to meet ratio To replace childcare staff when absent To be solely responsible for a child or group of children Usually responsible for toileting Typically provided during sleep time hours ENHANCED PROGRAM SUPPORT is NOT…

16. EPS PROCESS PIRS Resource Consultants have ongoing consultations with child care center staff Environmental review, strategies implemented Step One The CONVERSATION PIRS EPS Application is completed in collaboration with PIRS RC and center supervisor and staff PIRS Application is reviewed by PIRS, SNA Supervisors and Resource Consultants PIRS application is submitted to ErinoakKids (EOK) Step Two The APPLICATION EPS application feedback form will be provided by EOK to PIRS RC to provide to child care center Ongoing review and support of action plan goals in order to increase capacity of childcare centers for support to be faded Step Three The Follow-up

17. -Special Needs Agencies -Physicians/ Therapists -Families -Child Care Providers Five Service Areas: Family of Child Care Providers -Other community professionals Peel Inclusion Resource Services (PIRS) Model – Phase 2

18. Peel Special Needs Strategy and PIRS implementation timelines We are here

19. The Peel Special Needs Strategy for Early Learning and Child Care and the PIRS model enhances capacity building within our community, whereby: Empowering families to find and access child care much more efficiently without fears of rejection Supporting licensed child care providers with the tools needed to ensure inclusive child care services to children with special needs Strengthening Special Needs Agencies with resources, training and a consistent approach to serving children with special needs “In Peel all children, play, learn and grow together”