More kids with disabilities and special needs in Guelph and Wellington will benefit from improved services and lower waiting times for programs at the local children’s treatment centre.
The KidsAbility Centre for Child Development provides a range of services – like rehabilitation, physiotherapy and speech language therapy to children and youth with conditions such as cerebral palsy and Down syndrome. The centre also supports kids with special needs, such as autism and learning disorders.
As part of its plan to help kids with special needs succeed, KidsAbility will get an additional $630,000 in 2010-11. That provincial spending is part of $9-million per year to support 20 centres across Ontario. The centres serve more than 58,000 children and the new money will help ensure they get the treatment faster and closer to home.
“Investing in KidsAbility is a direct investment in the health and well-being of children with special needs in our community,” said Guelph MPP Liz Sandals. “Despite today’s economic challenges, our capacity to improve the lives of so many children with disabilities in our community is now greatly enhanced as a result of this support.”
Chief executive officer of KidsAbility Stephen Swatridge said, “The additional funds being provided by the government represent an important investment in the delivery of high quality services to children with special needs and their families in our communities. These funds will enable KidsAbility to stabilize its current staffing model and build upon its track record … We are deeply appreciative of the government’s support for these children and their families.”
Minister of Children and Youth Services Laurel Broten said, “Children’s treatment centres are an important part of how Ontario is helping young people with disabilities and special needs achieve their full potential. This additional investment will help serve more children faster, as close to home as possible.”
A child or youth may be referred to a children’s treatment centre by parents, an educational or health professional, or a physician.
The local centre serves more than 4,000 children each year. A one-time spending grant of $2.5-million will help 12 treatment centres improve outdated clinical data information systems, so they can serve kids and families better.
The KidsAbility Centre for Child Development also received $69,375 in capital funding in 2009-10 to make necessary repairs or renovations.
