SPECIAL NEEDS STRATEGY Integrated Rehabilitation Service Delivery Model update

Over the past two years Regional Steering Committees have been engaged with district school boards and service provider agencies in developing integrated rehabilitation service delivery models to bring the visions of the province’s commitments in the Special Needs Strategy to life.  A number of challenges were identified to the coordinating Ministries with a request for provincial direction and policy development.

In early September, the Ministries of Health and Long-Term Care, Children and Youth Services and Education communicated to Steering Committees to identify that in light of the complexity of the transformation to create seamless delivery of Integrated Rehabilitation Services and the commitment to ensure seamless support for families, the ministries will be taking a measured and phased approach to policy development and implementation.  Further, they request that Local Steering Committees should discontinue work on final proposal development at this time.
Phase I

Commitments of the strategy previously communicated regarding transfer of school health support services from the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care to the Ministry of Children and Youth Services will continue on schedule. Current or existing contracts for school health support services will be transitioned from LHINs to Childrens Treatment Centres (CTCs) for students requiring speech services, as well as occupational and physiotherapy services in publicly-funded schools. The ministries will work with LHINs, service providers and CTCs to support the delivery of these rehabilitation services in schools and the transition of LHIN service provider contracts to CTCs, effective April 1, 2018. 

Where District School Boards currently provide occupational therapy, physiotherapy and speech-language pathology, these services will remain in place.

The ministries will establish a provincial advisory group that will include clinical experts, sector partners and education stakeholders to provide advice to the ministries on key issues including: 

  • the rehabilitation components of Policy Program Memorandum (PPM) 81: Provision of Health Support Services in School Settings,
  • implementation of rehabilitation services across education and community-based sectors in a tiered service delivery model,
  • the use of technology for information sharing and reporting,
  • funding and accountability measures.

OSOT has communicated to the Ministries that representation from the profession of occupational therapy is important.

Phase II

Phase two of implementation will follow as a result of the advice from the provincial advisory group and provincial decision-making in phase one and with consideration of the varying states of readiness across communities and service sectors to implement integrated services.

Implications for Occupational Therapists

The Special Needs Strategy objective of an integrated rehabilitation service delivery model is important for occupational therapists.  OSOT has supported this objective and the projected beneficial outcomes this will have for children, youth and families.

Members are advised to;

  • visit the Special Needs Strategy website for additional information and to sign up to receive regular updates.  The site is public but one is required to register without charge. 
  • Keep abreast of information and developments in your Service Delivery Area
  • Connect with your service provider agency to be apprised of your local/agency implications
  • View past update on the Integrated Rehabilitation Services Delivery Model
  • Keep OSOT's School-based OT Team apprised of developments/issues in your region. Contact Team Chair, Debra Kennedy.