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Early Intervention Activities include:
- Access and Intake,
- Early identification, Consultation and Support
- Short term intervention for identified clients
The ECC Access and Intake Services receives inquiries and service requests for treatment with respect to children’s mental health and autism from parents/legal guardians, referral sources and the community. Referrals are screened for appropriateness with respect to the Centre’s Mission, and eligibility criteria for specific services. A formal request for service must have the voluntary and informed consent of the parent(s)/legal guardian(s), child over the age of 12 or a child who has the capacity to consent for service. A child may request service on their own without their legal guardian consent and also must have the capacity to demonstrate understanding of the services, risk and benefits as well as implications. A child that request services on their own is also encouraged to inform and invite parent(s)/legal guardian(s). Referrals that do not meet the Centre’s criteria are provided with information about available community resources and an offer is made to help with seamless access by providing referral information and/or support to connect to the appropriate service.
The Clinical Intake Worker generally books an appointment for a telephone intake and will ask for personal information using The ECC Service Inquiry Record and also a standardized tool which helps us to better understand the nature and complexity of the child’s and/or family’s problem as if there are any risks. Referrals are presented at The Centre Service Planning meeting where client needs and issues are reviewed, client’s needs are prioritized and services are planned/recommended which are appropriate to the nature, intensity and risk as best known at the time of Intake. The Clinical Intake Coordinator is responsible for service coordination until an ongoing Service Coordinator is assigned.
The Service Coordinator will arrange for an initial meeting shortly after to ensure that clients have the information they need about The Centre, its Services, Policies and Procedures prior to a decision about contracting for service with The ECC. The Service Coordinator will review the child’s service needs, talk about possible risks and identify a safety plan, discuss risks and benefits of service, explain The Centre’s Privacy Policy and Complaints procedure and identify a plan for initial first phase services, which may include a wait. Clients will be informed about the possible length of time they may need to wait.
Brief intervention, support and/or and specific groups services, are made available to children/ families during this phase of service (e. g, COPE, Triple P, Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction [MBSR], Parent Led Support Group). These services may be provided as stand alone and may be enough to address the client’s needs or, where appropriate, may be provided for those clients who are waiting for longer term services that are more intensive.
Multi-disciplinary professional consultation (e.g. psychiatric, psychological assessment) is made available to clients who are also eligible for the Centre’s services. Consultation and Support Transition Services (CAST)
CAST provides a range of early intervention and supportive mental health services. These include:
- Assessment and consultation services for children identified with mental health needs that prevent learning and educational development.
- Early intervention, parent skill development and support with respect to developmental concerns, child management, child mental health issues and autism
- Specialized psycho-educational and early intervention workshops and groups for identified clients.
- Service coordination and transition for children leaving The ECC Section 23 classes.
- Brief intervention services and support for clients (i.e. ABA Family Support Services) regarding Autism Spectrum Disorders.
- Referral for specialized consultation services (e.g. psychological, psychiatric, neurological, etc. assessments).
- Workshops and seminars for community agencies including school/ board personnel and other professionals working with children.
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Child Care Consultation Services (CCCS)
“Every Child Belongs”
The ECC is a member of a network of City of Toronto funded service providers who provide consultation services to specific clusters of licensed childcare and licensed home childcare settings. The Child Care Consultation Services team may also be a resource to other clusters regarding children’s mental health issues. Services include:
- consultation, workshops and training for child care professionals;
- assessment, and short term and/or intensive intervention with children;
- support and education for families;
- Referral to appropriate services where required. (i.e. Physician, Paediatrician, Speech and Language, Public Health, etc.)
Toronto Pre-School Speech and Language Services
The ECC is one of a number of member agencies providing Speech and Language services for pre-school children who are experiencing language or speech delays/difficulties. The goal is to ensure that every eligible pre-school child who has speech and language difficulties will receive specialized Assessment and Speech and Language services. As a result, these children will acquire communication skills needed for personal and social proficiency at home, school and community.
Children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder involved with Speech and Language services may be referred internally (e.g. for counselling regarding the new diagnosis, Triple P/ Stepping Stones group program) or externally (e.g., Geneva Centre/ Surrey Place) dependant on the needs of the child.
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