Our Services During the Pandemic
During the provincial State of Emergency Stay-at-Home order, Haldimand-Norfolk REACH will continue to provide services virtually and in-person as described below. With all in-person, outdoor and indoor services, H-N REACH uses safe practices such as screening prior to visits, masking/face covering and physical distancing.
- Our Child and Youth Crisis Service continues to provide virtual and in-person meetings. This is a crisis intervention service offered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for children, youth and their families. Call 1-866-327-3224.
- All of our Licensed Childcare and School-Aged programs are open, using our safe practices as outlined by the Haldimand-Norfolk Health Unit and Ministry of Education guidelines.
- Our Classroom Facilitators and Resource Coordinators in the Family Early Intervention Program are offering full services while working within the health and safety practice developed by each community program.
- Union House continues to accept new referrals although we have many new admission safety practices, including that new residents must quarantine for 14 days.
- Student Nutrition Programs continue to support student's access to healthy nutritious food through school-based programs and community-based partnerships with local Food Banks and Church Out Serving.
- Child and Youth Mental Health Services continue to be available through the crisis line, virtual counselling and outdoor counselling. Our Tuesday Walk-In Counselling Clinic continues to operate as a ‘Virtual Therapy Clinic’. Every Tuesday from noon to 6:30 p.m. call our virtual clinic access number at 519-410-1502. For all other counselling we are now offering some in-person sessions based on need.
- Our Contact Unit, for intake and referral services continues to be provided virtually. This includes processing and managing Complex Special Needs. In person services are available based on need.
- H-N REACH is pleased to be a participating organization in the delivery of the new Foundational Family Services in the Ontario Autism Program. For more details, please visit the Autism and Behaviour Services section of our agency website.
- Coordinated Service Planning has continued as workers meet and support families and community partners virtually and some in-person services based on need.
- Virtual services continue to be working well for many of our programs and families. We will continue to provide virtual services whenever possible as well as in-person outdoor and indoor services based on need. This includes our Developmental Services, Early Childhood Intervention Programs, Adult and Family Counselling Programs, Youth and Adult Justice Services, and our Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Program.
- Our Bramble Retreat program for both children and adults is closed at this time.
- Our EarlyON Child and Family Centre team is providing virtual services.
Follow us on Facebook for ongoing updates.
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.
© 2021 Haldimand-Norfolk REACH