H-N REACH’s Open House and Annual General Meeting
On behalf of the Haldimand-Norfolk REACH’s Board of Directors, we invite you to ‘Grow With Us’ at our Drop In Open House and Annual General Meeting.
Light snacks and refreshments will be available.
Contact Brooke French to RSVP by June 21, 2023.
We hope to see you there!
One Stop Talk
One Stop Talk is a province-wide initiative designed to provide immediate access to mental health care for children, youth and families in need. The service is available six days a week and offers virtual single session therapy sessions to individuals up to age 18 and their families. Services are provided through an integrated network of infant, child and youth mental health agencies across Ontario.
Quick access to single session therapy can be very useful to youth and their families as a place to share concerns and come up with doable next steps that help. Building off youth and family strengths, the idea is to get change in motion or amplify what is already working a bit.
The addition of One Stop Talk means children, youth and families throughout Haldimand, Norfolk and neighbouring communities will have access to virtual single session therapy six days a week alongside H-N REACH’s in person Walk-in Therapy Clinic offered Tuesdays out of their main office.
Youth and caregivers can access One Stop Talk by visiting the website at www.onestoptalk.ca or by calling 1-855-416-TALK. The service is available Monday to Friday 12:00 PM to 8:00 PM and Saturdays 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM.
For more information, please contact:
Scot Cooper, RP, Child and Youth Therapy and Group Services Manager
Email: scooper@hnreach.on.ca
Phone: 519-410-6381
Recruitment Now Open!
Child and Youth Mental Health Services is now accepting applications to join the Youth Mental Health Alliance. If you're age 14 to 24 from Haldimand-Norfolk, and eager to share a fresh outlook on child and youth mental health, apply to be part of this new youth engagement initiative.
To apply visit: www.reachoutyouth.ca
Meet Our New Executive Director
The Haldimand-Norfolk R.E.A.C.H. Board of Directors is pleased to announce the appointment of Wendy Carron as the new Executive Director.
Wendy brings a seasoned combination of business and social services education and experience into this role. She holds a Masters in Business Administration, Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and more recently graduated from the Public Sector Leadership Institute at the Rotman School of Management.
Wendy has been with Haldimand-Norfolk R.E.A.C.H. for the past 19 years and has served in the role of Director of Early Childhood Services since 2005. Wendy has been a member of the Haldimand-Norfolk R.E.A.C.H. Executive Team, which provides oversight and direction to the agency’s marketing, communication, operational planning and continuous quality improvement activities. Wendy has also been a member of the Board of Directors Strategic Planning Committee that worked on a plan that will carry this agency forward for the next 3-5 years.
Overcoming Barriers to Getting the COVID-19 Vaccine in Haldimand and Norfolk
Are you looking for a COVID-19 vaccine? See below for answers to common questions.
What if I do not have identificatoin/ ID?
You can still get a COVID-19 vaccine in Ontario if you do not have a health card. Even if you do not have other photo identification, you are still eligible for receiving a vaccine.
Is help available if I cannot get to a vaccine clinic?
Yes! If you are unable to get to a vaccine clinic, you can email vaccine@hnhss.ca or call 519-427-5903 to request free transportation.
What if I cannot leave my home to go for a vaccine?
If you are unable to leave your home for medical reasons, you can email vaccine@hnhss.ca or call 519-427-5903 to be added to a list for homebound vaccinations.
Will the COVID-19 vaccine interfere with medications or other drugs/ substances that I am taking?
Steroids or other immunosuppressants (e.g. cancer treatment) may impact the effectiveness of the vaccine. To talk to a nurse about if your medications or substance will impact the vaccine, you can call the Haldimand Norfolk Health Unit at 519-426-6170.
I am ready for an appointment. How do I book a vaccine?
To book an appointment, you can call 519-427-5903 or email vaccine@hnhss.ca. You can also ask your family doctor or your pharmacist if they are offering vaccines in their office.
For more information visit: Haldimand-Norfolk Health Unit Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information Page (external link)
Every Child Matters
"Starting now, we all have an opportunity to show leadership, courage and conviction in helping heal the wounds of the past as we make a path towards a more just, more fair and more loving country."
-The Honourable Justice Murray Sinclair
September 30, 2022 marks the second National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. This day honours the children who never returned home and Survivors of residential schools, as well as their families and communitites. H-N REACH honours the memories of the innocent children and we ask all members to reflect on this tragic piece of Canadian history and to contemplate our collective resolve to enact the recommendations of Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
Additional Virtual Services for Youth and Adults
Please check out these additional virtual resources for youth and adults to help manage some of the emotional challenges that you may experience as a result of the COVID -19 pandemic.
"We all feel sad sometimes. But when feeling low, stressed out, worried, depressed, irritable, angry – or even nothing at all – gets to be too much, remember that you have the power to change how you feel."
A free, guided self-help program that’s effective in helping people aged 15 and up who are experiencing low mood, mild to moderate depression and anxiety, stress or worry. Delivered over the phone with a coach and through online videos, you will get access to tools that will support you on your path to mental wellness.
"Mental health is a journey, not a destination. Access support and track your progress."
A free, 24/7 support portal available for everyone in Canada to use. Get connected to mental health and substance use support, resources, and counselling with a mental health professional.
Mental Health Supports for Individuals with Developmental Disabilities
This link will connect you with funded mental health supports available for:
- adults with developmental disabilities and their caregivers
- mental health resources and supports for children, youth and their families during COVID-19.
Temporary Wage Increase for Direct Support Workers
As of October 1, 2020, the Ontario government is funding a temporary wage increase for eligible workers who provide personal support services. This includes temporary support to people and families who pay for services from eligible direct support workers with funding from the following direct funding programs:
- Assistance for Children with Severe Disabilities
- Enhanced Respite
- Ontario Autism Program Childhood Budgets and Interim One-time Funding
- Passport
- Special Services at Home
Visit the webpages above to learn more about how to get this temporary support.
À compter du 1er octobre 2020, le gouvernement de l’Ontario financera une augmentation de salaire temporaire pour les travailleurs admissibles qui fournissent des services de soutien à la personne. Cela comprend le soutien temporaire aux personnes et aux familles qui paient pour les services des travailleurs de soutien direct admissibles grâce au financement des programmes de financement direct suivants:
- Aide à l’égard d’enfants qui ont un handicap grave
- Financement accru des services de relève
- Programme ontarien des services en matière d’autisme Budgets pour les services aux enfants et financement ponctuel provisoire
- Programme Passeport
- Services spéciaux à domicile
Visitez les pages Web ci-dessus pour en savoir plus sur la façon d’obtenir ce soutien temporaire.
Know Your Rights As a Child or Young Person
Did you know there is a law in Ontario called the Child , Youth and Family Services Act, 2017? This law outlines your rights as a child or young person receiving services related to foster homes, group homes, youth justice, secure treatment facilitates, mental health, developmental and/or physical disabilities under the Act. Find more information about this Act here.
Thank you for your feedback!
H-N REACH surveys our community partners every 2 years to hear about how we are doing and to gather their input on areas of future focus.
The following is a summary of what we heard and some of the actions we are taking in response.
- Our partners want to learn more about our services.
In the upcoming year we are engaging in many activities to help our community and partners know more about us.
Fusion4Inclusion
This initiative is supported through Community Living Ontario, Six Nations Community Living, Haldimand Community Living, Community Living Access, Haldimand-Norfolk REACH, Norfolk Association for Community Living and is supported with Grand Erie District School Board and Brant Haldimand Catholic School Board.
Check out the link here to view their video.
Haldimand-Norfolk REACH Newsletter
View the current edition of the REACHING OUT Newsletter here!
Recognizing Our Award Winners
Merit Award
In 1992 the H-N REACH Merit Award was established. Through this annual award, Haldimand-Norfolk REACH recognizes members of our community who have made a significant contribution to children/youth and/or children/youth services in the Haldimand and Norfolk communities. Nominations for the Award are collected by the Agency staff and the recipients are selected by the Board of Directors.
The Haldimand-Norfolk REACH Merit Award was presented to two individuals at our 38th Annual General Meeting held at The Greens at Renton in Simcoe on September 26, 2019 and the Board of Directors of Haldimand-Norfolk REACH elected to acknowledge their incredible community work.
Jessica MacLean was the first recipient of the Merit Award. Jessica organizes and provides dedicated support to Lakewood Elementary School healthy snack program run through the H-N REACH Child Nutrition Network. The program supports 540 Lakewood Elementary students with healthy snack options. Congratulations Jessica.
Jean Montgomery was the second recipient of the Merit Award. Jean has been committed to the Suicide Prevention Network for approximately 17 years and trained many people in Haldimand and Norfolk ensuring there is a caring community for those experiencing suicidal thoughts. Jean has founded initiatives, worked on committees, sat on Boards and volunteered in many capacities in Haldimand and Norfolk. Congratulations Jean.
© 2023 Haldimand-Norfolk REACH