Integrated Programming Committee
Best Start Integrated Programming Committee vision
Our community values accessible early childhood services as an essential support to children and families. Parents, caregivers/guardians and all children, including those with special needs, are able to access and benefit from a range of integrated and seamless early childhood supports.
What is Best Start Integrated Programming Committee?
Formed in August 2006, the Best Start Integrated Programming Committee is a sub-committee of the Peel Best Start Network.
Who are involved in the committee?
Government
School Boards
Community Agencies/Stakeholders
Child Care Service Providers
Special Needs Services
What do we do?
The Best Start Integrated Programming Committee sets overall strategic direction, vision, objectives, and operating policies for the Best Start in Peel initiative and reports to the Best Start Network. The committee is accountable to the partners and the community to ensure that all commitments of the project plan are met. It works to:
- Integrate traditionally separate systems of child care, education, parent/family education, support and temporary care with an integrated system of seamless early childhood and parent/caregiver support services.
- Integrate accessible health services on-site (For example: health screening (birth to six years), pre- and post-natal services, parent education for early child development).
- Integrate specialized services (For example: speech and language, infant development, mental health, etc.).
- Assist and support staff to function as an interdisciplinary team demonstrating mutual respect and valuing each others’ unique skills and contributions.
- Provide families with a choice of full-time, part-time and flexible programs, including parent/family education offered in non-traditional hours and using a variety of methods.
- Effectively engage parents/caregivers.
- Develop and implement strategies to ensure availability to families.
- Provide a range of services and programs for families available through a single access point.
- Connect staff and families to information in the community.
- Use various outreach strategies to ensure that all families in the catchment area are aware of the program.
Our Accomplishments
- Collaborated in the creation of a Partnership Agreement describing how agencies and organizations will effectively integrate service delivery.
- Partnered with the University of Toronto to undertake the research component “Evaluation of the Region of Peel Best Start Project”.
- Developed a research partnership with Dr. Janette Pelletier, Associate Professor University of Toronto, Ontario Institute for the Studies in Education.
- Commenced a two year research project at the ten Best Start sites; Havenwood P.S., Lancaster P.S, St. Barbara E.S., St. Gregory E.S., St. Herbert E.S. and control sites; Thornwood P.S., Shaw P.S. San Lorenzo Ruiz E.S., St. Ursula E.S. and St. Francis Xavier E.S.
- Implemented the Indicators of Change measuring the level of integration at each Best Start Site.
- Secured release time for Best Start site staff allowing for regular meetings and collaborative movement towards integration.
- Collaborated on the development of a Consent for Informal and Ongoing Sharing of Information.
- Reported preliminary research findings presented by Dr. Janette Pelletier to the Best Start Network.
- Provided access to some specialized services for parents and children at the Best Start Sites.
- Caron Bell, PhD candidate, engaged parents in the movement towards integration through surveys and interviews examining their “daily hassles” and vision of services to meet their family needs.
Integrated Programming Partnership Agreement – English (19 pages, 661KB)
Integrated Programming Partnership Agreement – French (16 pages, 1.77MB)
Revised:
Monday November 16 2009
