Chadwick Center for Children and Families builds community support

Parenting a child with severely challenging behaviours is very stressful and threatens family well-being. Short break (respite) services are commonly provided as a support to families but surprisingly little attention has been paid to adapting these services when children and families have complex needs. This article describes the model of service that has evolved in three separate locations which successfully provides overnight short breaks and/or community-based support to families. The model was documented and validated through individual and group interviews with a range of stakeholders – around 30 in all. The services are embedded within multi-agency partnerships and four particular features are highlighted: the values and ethos underpinning the service; the service procedures; the organization of short breaks; and the role of an intensive support/outreach service. The rationale for complex service models is discussed and the key lessons for replicating this model are reviewed.

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Results Accountability: A Critical Component of Community Support for Children and Families

Journal of Policy Practice ◽

10.1080/15588740903389756 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 9 (1) ◽

pp. 3-17

Author(s):

Barbara Walters ◽

Betty Blythe

Keyword(s):

Community Support ◽

Critical Component ◽

Children And Families

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An evaluation of PlayStreets in the South Side neighborhood of Columbus, Ohio

Perspectives in Public Health ◽

10.1177/1757913921990411 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 175791392199041

Author(s):

D Adhikhari ◽

T Henderson ◽

M Dolce ◽

AR Banks ◽

H Zaim ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Social Interactions ◽

Community Health ◽

Low Income ◽

Local Community ◽

Community Support ◽

Outdoor Play ◽

Children And Families ◽

The Mean ◽

Community Health Initiative

Outdoor play, physical activity, and social cohesion are crucial indicators of community health. PlayStreets, a street play initiative to engage local children and families in outdoor play, physical activity, and social interactions, were implemented in a low-income neighborhood in Columbus, Ohio throughout the summer of 2019. This article aims to describe the implementation of a hospital-sponsored PlayStreets model executed through support from a community health initiative and to assess neighborhood impact through parent and child surveys. Approximately 350 children attended the events and 69 surveys were collected. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze survey data. The mean age of children was 7 years, and the majority of children who attended were male. If not for PlayStreets, 55% of caregivers reported that their children would be inside. Event satisfaction levels were high, and 54% of caregivers said that they had more contact with their neighbors because of the events. Hospital buy-in and community support were crucial to the success of the event. We found that this model can successfully engage the local community while increasing opportunity for childhood outdoor play, physical activity, and neighborhood social interaction.

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Lessons From the Da Vinci Code: Working with Bilingual/Multicultural Children and Families

ASHA Leader ◽

10.1044/leader.ftr4.11132006.14 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 11 (13) ◽

pp. 14-15 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Li-Rong L. Cheng

Keyword(s):

Da Vinci ◽

Children And Families

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Shared Responsibilities for Full Participation in Society: Planning Further Integration of the ICF Into AAC

Perspectives of the ASHA Special Interest Groups ◽

10.1044/persp1.sig12.83 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 1 (12) ◽

pp. 83-93 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Mary Blake Huer ◽

Travis T. Threats

Keyword(s):

Environmental Factors ◽

Augmentative And Alternative Communication ◽

Functional Limitations ◽

Community Support ◽

World Health ◽

International Classification Of Functioning ◽

Personal Factors ◽

Social Service Agencies ◽

Persons With Disabilities ◽

Full Participation

The World Health Organization's (WHO's) 2001 International Classification of Functioning Disability and Health (ICF) has as one of its central tenets the full inclusion of persons with disabilities in society. It acknowledges the need for medical and rehabilitation intervention in its biopscychosocial framework. However, the WHO realizes that society must do its part to facilitate this full participation and empowerment. Persons with complex communication needs (PWCCN) often need augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) in order to express themselves. However, in order to access and successfully use AAC, PWCCN need access to the necessary AAC devices and services, as well as a willing society to interact with them as full contributing members of society. The factors outside of a person's specific physical and/or cognitive functional limitations are addressed in the ICF via the Personal and Environmental Factors. Personal Factors include the individual's personality traits, lifestyle, experiences, social/educational/professional background, race, gender, and age. Environmental Factors include community support systems, social service agencies, governments, social networks, and those persons that interact with the PWCCN. This article addresses the sociopolitical influences on PWCCN and their functioning from a human rights perspective. The necessary introspective role of speech-language pathologists in this process is explored.

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