The Problem
Over the last decade, the demand for children’s rehabilitation services has grown exponentially, leading to long wait times for families seeking crucial support. Early intervention is proven to achieve better outcomes for children and families, yet many continue to miss this critical window of opportunity due to delayed engagement.
We learned that caregivers are seeking general information and guidance in the early days when they become worried about their child. In many cases there is an overwhelming amount of information available and it’s hard to know where to start. This leaves parents feeling stranded and unsure of how to best support their child. Recognizing the stress and frustration this created, we committed to redefining the early experience by providing information and resources that empower families to take action to support their child.
The Solution
As part of our Early Engagement Strategy, we initiated our Universal Resources project, which will develop a collection of tools and supports designed to equip families with the knowledge and strategies they need to help their child right away. These resources may include a library of resource videos tailored to family needs and live workshops designed to provide actionable strategies in real time. We plan to use multimedia supports that leverage adult learning principles to maximize engagement and impact. These resources will be accessible to families whether they are in service or not, enabling them to actively support their child’s development.
In collaboration with McMaster researchers, we’ve interviewed families to understand what they truly want and need. Next, we’ll gather insights from clinicians and validate our approach with managers and clinical leadership to ensure our plan is both comprehensive and impactful.
This initiative also includes connecting with broader partnerships across Canada to align our resources with the needs of families nationwide.
Benefits
By providing universal resources, we aim to move the timeline up for families, giving them access to critical information and strategies months earlier than they would otherwise. By doing so we are empowering families to take meaningful action, reducing stress and fostering confidence, while also building capacity to serve all children by equipping families with tools to address their child’s needs. This proactive approach helps to close the gap between waiting and service delivery, ensuring families feel supported from the start. Together, we can redefine the early experience at KidsAbility, enabling better outcomes for children and families through early, impactful engagement.
In collaboration with McMaster researchers, we’ve interviewed families to understand what they truly want and need. Next, we’ll gather insights from clinicians and validate our approach with managers and clinical leadership to ensure our plan is both comprehensive and impactful.
This initiative also includes connecting with broader partnerships across Canada to align our resources with the needs of families nationwide.
