Media Releases

Media Release - April 20, 2007

Press Release - April 20, 2007

Media Release - November 30, 2006

---

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                CONTACT:  Beth Ann Kenny
                                                                                        (416) 920-3676 ext24

THE ONTARIO ASSOCIATION OF
SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGISTS AND AUDIOLOGISTS (OSLA) RECOGNIZES

 “PARENTS AS PARTNERS” PROJECT

(TORONTO, ON – APRIL 20, 2007)  OSLA, the Ontario Association of Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists, wishes to congratulate the Ontario Association for Families of Children with Communication Disorders (OAFCCD) for being granted Ontario Trillium Foundation Funding for its “Parents and Partners” project.  Children and Youth Services Minister Mary Anne Chambers formally will announce the project in Toronto today.
OSLA celebrates Better Speech, Language, and Hearing Month each May to raise public awareness of the speech, language, swallowing, and hearing difficulties that affect approximately 1 in 6 adults and up to 20% of children.  “As ‘May Month’ approaches, what better way to begin our celebrations than by recognizing this important project, which was designed to help parents of children with special needs develop effective partnerships with schools,” stressed Sue Lawton, OSLA’ School Services Committee Chair.  “Many of our members will be involved, and we couldn’t be more pleased for the OAFCCD staff and volunteers.  Bringing the professionals and families together to help children ease the transition as they become ‘students’ in the school system is an important bridge-building opportunity, one that could truly – positively – affect students’ outcomes later in their academic careers.”
OSLA appreciates the recognition demonstrated by the Ontario Government, of the importance of speech-language pathologists’ support for students in the school system.  “We know there is more that can be done,” commented Beth Ann Kenny, OSLA’s Executive Director. “For example, our School Services Committee has been working on launching a project to assist classroom and special education teachers.  We are all in this together!”

Speech-language pathologists hold a master’s or doctorate degree and are licensed by CASLPO, the College of Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists of Ontario.  Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists are recognized under the Regulated Health Professions Act.

Over 2,800 speech-language pathologists and audiologists are registered and working in Ontario.  The Ontario Association of Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists is their professional voice.

- 30 -

---

MEDIA RELEASE                                                           April 20, 2007
For Immediate Release

$210,000 in OTF Grants Creates Smiles

The Minister of Children and Youth Services Congratulated the Organizations

Scarborough – There were plenty of smiles Friday as the Minister of Children and Youth Services, the Hon. Mary Anne Chambers, visited the Boys and Girls Club of East Scarborough. The Centre was the location for the Minister to formally congratulate two organizations, including the Boys and Girls Club of East Scarborough and the Ontario Association for Families of Children with Communication Disorders (OAFCCD), on the work that they’ve been doing as a result of receiving a combined total of $210,000 in grants from the Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF). Joining the Minister was the Ontario Trillium Foundation’s Vincent Conville, Member of the Board of Directors.

“The fact that these organizations have qualified for Ontario Trillium Foundation grants is proof that they are providing important services in the most effective and responsible ways” said Mary Anne Chambers, M.P.P for Scarborough East.  “They deserve our congratulations and our appreciation.”

The Boys and Girls Club of East Scarborough received an $88,900 six month OTF community grant to purchase a twenty-four seat bus that will increase the club’s ability to provide recreation programs to youth living in Scarborough. The Boys and Girls Club of East Scarborough is a non-profit organization, registered as a charity since 1966. Its mission is to be a safe, accessible, well-known place where East Scarborough children and youth from all cultural and economic backgrounds can come to participate in recreational and educational programs. 

 “The Boys and Girls Club of East Scarborough is excited to accept this Ontario Trillium Foundation Capital Grant of $88,900 for a new bus. The bus will enhance the Club’s ability to deliver equitable and accessible programs and services to East Scarborough and Evirons.  To this point, our new 24 seater bus will allow the club to increase the number of the Imani Academic Support Program participants to include two other high schools in the community, namely – West Hill Collegiate Institute and Pope John Paul II Catholic Secondary School.  Currently, the Club has being offering this program to Cedarbrae Collegiate Institute students and the Club’s afterschool program.”

OAFCCD received an 18 month province wide grant of $121,300 from OTF to expand the OAFCCD Parents As Partners program to 11 communities across the province. The OAFCCD Parents As Partners program assists families with the transition from early years intervention programs, such as the Preschool Speech and Language and Infant Hearing program, The Regional Preschool Autism Program, to the school system.  The program uses a collaborative approach, working with school boards and community agencies, to deliver workshops and information resources to parents to facilitate the transition to school. 

The Ontario Trillium Foundation, an agency of the Ministry of Culture, receives funding from government’s charity casino initiative.

For more information on the Ontario Trillium Foundation, please visit the website at www.trilliumfoundation.org.

-30-

 

For more information, please contact:
Nicole Smith
Communications Officer
Ontario Trillium Foundation
416-963-7920
1-800-263-2887 ext 220

 

---

Media Release
November 30, 2006
For Immediate Release

Ontario Trillium Foundation Supports Parents As Partners Program

Tillsonburg - The Board of the Ontario Association for Families of Children with Communication Disorders is very excited to announce that the Ontario Trillium Foundation has given them an 18 month grant of $121,300 to expand the OAFCCD Parents As Partners program to more communities across the province.

“ I am so pleased that we have this funding to provide more workshops across the province,” said OAFCCD Co-President, Susan Strachan. “ As a parent of a child with special needs I know how important it is that parents are knowledgeable about the education system and have the skills to help their child get the services and supports that they need.”

The OAFCCD Parents As Partner program was developed in Oxford County and York Region to provide support to families of children with special needs that were transitioning into elementary school. Over the next 18 months, the program will be expanded to 11 communities across the province.

The OAFCCD Parents As Partners program assists families with the transition from early years intervention programs, such as the Preschool Speech and Language and Infant Hearing program, The Regional Preschool Autism Program, to the school system. The program uses a collaborative approach, working with school boards and community agencies, to deliver workshops and information resources to parents.

“ We are so excited that we can offer the OAFCCD Parent As Partners program in new communities to help children with communication disorders and associated disabilities who are at risk for failure at school,” said Provincial Co-ordinator, Alison Morse. “ When parents have the knowledge and skills to be effective partners with school staff they can work together to ensure that student’s are more successful at school.”

For more information about the Ontario Association for Families of Children with Communication Disorders (OAFCCD) and the OAFCCD Parents As Partners Program, please contact Alison Morse at 519-842-9506, e-mail abmorse@kwic.com or visit the website at: www.oafccd.com.

OAFCCD is pleased to be expanding this valuable service and thank the Ontario Trillium Foundation for their support. The Ontario Trillium Foundation is an agency of the Ministry of Culture and receives $100 million annually from Ontario’s charity casino initiative. The Foundation supports not-for-profit and charitable organizations in the sectors of arts and culture, sports and recreation, the environment and human and social services.

 

- 30 -

OAFCCD Contact: Alison Morse, Provincial Co-ordinator
Phone Number: (519)842-9506 or e-mail at abmorse@kwic.com

OAFCCD Parents As Partners Program

Background Information:

The Ontario Association for Families of Children with Communication Disorders (OAFCCD) was established in 1994 by parents and professionals to help increase awareness about the impact of a communication disorder on a child and their family.

OAFCCD’s Vision is that:

All children will have access to a continuum of speech and language services to support their successful participation at home, in school and in the community .

The OAFCCD Parents As Partners Program has run successfully for over three years in Oxford County and York Region. Parents who have attending the workshops have said they felt better prepared for the transition to school: Parent Comments:

“Very informative” and “Willing to answer all questions”

“The handouts seem very helpful in verbalizing exactly what I am interested in being able to communicate with the school. A good starting point.”

Over the next 18 months the program will be expanded across the province to these eleven communities: 

As the project expands to new communities Community Facilitators will work with SEAC reps and community partners to customize resources and workshops. The Community Facilitators will also deliver the workshop series and train local staff and volunteers to deliver future workshops and provide the resources to families. The OAFCCD Parent as Partners workshops cover the following topics: 

The Ontario Trillium Foundation funding will support the development of an OAFCCD Parents as Partners website that will list workshop locations and dates, and provide information resources for parents. This will be linked to the OAFCCD website and should be on-line early in the new year.

Effective transitions into school require preparation and planning and may take several years. Ideally, parents should be thinking about transition in the fall before their child will start school. Most children will attend Junior and Senior Kindergarten before starting Grade 1 and transition planning will continue through-out this time as the child leaves preschool programs and starts to access school programs and services. The OAFCCD Parents as Partners program supports families through this process and helps them to prepare for positive relationships with school and community partners that will last to the end of High School.

For more information about the Ontario Association for Families of Children with Communication Disorders (OAFCCD) and the OAFCCD Parents As Partners Program please contact Provincial Co-ordinator, Alison Morse at 519-842-9506 or by e-mail abmorse@kwic.com

[ Back to top ]

 If you are interested in bringing Parents as Partners to your community please contact
Alison Morse at OAFCCD

Site menu:

Home | Workshop DatesParent Resources| Community Specific Resources | Community Staff Resources
(formerly Presenter's Resources)| Facilitator Resources | Media | Top of page

Contact Us

Alison Morse
OAFCCD
Provincial Co-ordinator

Phone Number:
(519) 842-9506
 
or e-mail at
abmorse@kwic.com