KHSC’s KidsInclusive becomes lead agency for three early child development programs

Kingston—On May 1, 2023, with the approval of the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services (MCCSS), the operations of three early child development programs at KFL&A Public Health will transfer to KidsInclusive at Kingston Health Sciences Centre (KHSC). This change will impact preschool speech language, blind low vision, and infant hearing programs. It is anticipated that this transfer will not disrupt the services of these programs as they are already well aligned with the core services at KidsInclusive.

For over 50 years KidsInclusive has provided rehabilitation and support services for children and youth in the Frontenac and Lennox & Addington counties and is well positioned to onboard these three programs and integrate these programs into the new SmartStart Hubs Initiative. The SmartStart Hub is a one-stop point of entry for families who have concerns about their child’s development and would like to explore available options and supports.

“KFL&A Public Health and KidsInclusive at KHSC are committed to working together to support a seamless transfer of these three programs for children and families, staff, contracted agencies, and community partners,” said Noella Klawitter, director of KidsInclusive. “Children and families will notice very little change in the delivery of care, and we look forward to welcoming the preschool speech and language, blind low vision, and infant hearing programs to the KidsInclusive team.”

It is anticipated that most of the staff working in these programs will transfer with the program and, at this time, will continue to work from the KFL&A Public Health main office.

A strategic decision has been made to transfer the leadership of these programs as a result of pandemic recovery planning that indicated the need for KFL&A Public Health to shift its organizational focus to mandatory public health programs and services outlined in the Ontario Public Health Standards. These three child development programs are not mandatory public health programs.

“We want to take this moment to thank the dedicated and skilled staff, strong leadership, and supportive contracted agencies and community partners for providing high quality services to children and families for the past 20 years in our communities,” said Dr. Piotr Oglaza, medical officer of health at KFL&A Public Health.

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About KidsInclusive – Kingston Health Sciences Centre, formerly known as the Child Development Centre, is located at the Hotel Dieu Hospital site and is one of 21 Children’s Treatment Centres in Ontario.  For over 50 years we have proudly provided rehabilitation and support services for children and youth with physical, neurological and/or developmental challenges in the Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox and Addington counties as well as communities in Lanark, Leeds and Grenville counties.