We will continue to keep you informed about how this exciting move may impact you. It’s important to note that while our headquarters will be moving to Ajax, satellite offices will remain in other locations to ensure care is accessible close to home for Grandview families. More details will be shared in the months ahead.

Last week, we hosted a number of important guests at our new build construction site, including provincial government Ministers and Members of Provincial Parliament (MPPs), members of Ajax Town and Durham Region Councils, and staff from Infrastructure Ontario, the Ministry of Infrastructure and the Ministry of Community, Children and Social Services (MCCSS).

The event celebrated the project reaching 50% construction completion, while thanking the municipal, regional, provincial and federal governments for their investments. Each level of government has provided funding for the New Grandview Kids, signaling broad support for Grandview Kids and the services we provide.

Left to right: Hon. Michael Parsa, Minister of Children, Community and Social Services and Tom McHugh, Grandview Kids CEO

Left to right: MPP Patrice Barnes (Ajax), MPP Lorne Coe (Whitby) and Grandview Kids CEO Tom McHugh

February 5 to 9: Feeding Tube Awareness Week

The feeding tube has saved millions of lives and increased the chances of infant survival at a tremendous rate. Grandview Kids offers services that can support tube feeding management. A variety of clinicians may work together to help families with their tube-feeding needs.

Read Brock's G-Tube journey >

February 28: Rare Disease Day

Rare Disease Day raises awareness about the impact of rare diseases on people’s lives, emphasizing the need for research. Canadian families with rare illnesses are facing challenges, including misdiagnosis, unnecessary surgeries, social isolation, financial hardship and lack of treatment options.

Read Zoe's story >

February 7 to 14: Congenital Heart Defect (CHD) Awareness Week

According to the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, CHDs are the leading birth defects that cause death in infants and adults. Approximately 1% of births per year are affected by CHDs, which exist from birth and often affect the structure and shape of a baby’s heart. Since the condition is so prominent and is a leading cause of death in children, it is very important to make medical professionals, researchers, families, and the general public more aware of the condition.

Read Matthew's story >

Events

Find all Family Engagement and Grandview Kids-hosted events here on our website!

• SSAH (Special Services At Home) Paperwork Party
• Virtual on Wednesday, February 21, at 6 p.m.
• Register for this event by emailing familyengagement@grandviewkids.ca.
• Adolescent Transition Program - Youth Networking Event:
• In-person on Thursday, February 22, from 6 to 8 p.m. (Parents are welcome)
• Grandview Kids Oshawa Main – 600 Townline Road S
• Registration required.
• Caregiver Café (Networking and Resource Session)
• In-person on Thursday, February 29, from 6 to 8 p.m.
• Grandview Kids Oshawa Main – 600 Townline Rd S
• Participate in informal networking, with an opportunity to ask questions of the Family Engagement team regarding local resources and funding paperwork.
• Registration required.

Project Spotlights

Microsoft 365

As part of Grandview Kids’ ongoing technology strategy, the organization has transitioned to Microsoft Office 365. This cloud-based software will enable us to better collaborate and improve our workflows.

Microsoft 365 includes a program called Teams, which will now be used for videoconferencing, including virtual care. Clients and families who participate in virtual services will begin to see their virtual appointments on Teams instead of Zoom. Zoom will be phased out in Spring 2024.

Teams is free to use on the web, so there is no cost to clients and families to participate in virtual meetings using this tool. There is also a desktop application, but the web version is recommended by the Grandview Kids Information Technology (IT) team. We assure you there will be no change to our approach, except the platform used to deliver virtual care. However, we understand that this change may require users to get to know a new tool, which can take time.

To help, we have created this Microsoft Teams Fact Sheet, with information on how to join a Teams meeting and use features when you are in a meeting. We look forward to continuing to enhance client and caregiver experiences through technology improvements!

Introducing AlayaCare, our new Electronic Health Record

AlayaCare is Grandview Kids' new Electronic Health Record (EHR) technology that will replace our existing software. As of Jan. 31, 2024, we are transitioning our old EHR to AlayaCare for a brief period.

While we do not anticipate any disruptions to client care, there will be minor adjustments to our scheduling practices and procedures.

Please visit our website to read the full AlayaCare update and for more information on our transition.

EKO Scholars: Applications are now open!

Empowered Kids Ontario (EKO) represents Ontario’s child development and rehabilitation agencies. The EKO Scholarship was established to support promising young people to achieve their educational and career goals. 

There are six awards of $2,500, including an award dedicated to First Nations, Métis and Inuit youth.

If you are an Ontario student looking for help funding your passions and career goals, we encourage you to apply. Post-secondary education is an important element for achieving independence, yet people with disabilities are less likely to attend and complete post-secondary education than those without disabilities. Our hope is that the EKO Award helps more students with disabilities achieve the life they want through post-secondary and graduate education.

Applicants must have received or currently receive services from an EKO General Member organization and must be entering or enrolled in accredited post-secondary or graduate programs at colleges, universities, Indigenous institutes or accredited career training program/vocational institutes in fall 2024. In-person, online and hybrid programs are all eligible.

New year, new name

Campbell Children’s School officially changed its name to Grandview School on January 1, 2024. There are no changes to the School’s program, services or staffing. It will continue operating as normal, only with a new name and logo more closely aligned with Grandview Kids.

One thing that is changing is the School’s website, which will be integrated into Grandview Kids’ website. This streamlined approach will make it easier for the School and Centre’s mutual students, parents and staff to find the information and resources they’re looking for.

To access Grandview School information on our website, go to www.grandviewkids.ca/grandview-school. Find it on the right side of the website’s top menu header (image below).

From the Archives

Speaking of the Grandview School... it's been an integral part of Grandview Kids since our founding in 1953. The first classes were held in November 1953 at Rotary Hall in Oshawa and were later moved to Simcoe Hall.



In the early years of the school, the students were taught by an amazing group of highly dedicated volunteers, including Mrs. W. Hendry , Mrs. G. Bellis, Mrs. Knowler, Mrs. J.W. Heath and Miss L. Mather. The first teacher, and later principal, Mrs. Margaret Beamish, was hired in 1955. Over the course of the next few decades, enrollment steadily increased from eight students in the first year to 55 students today.

The school was known as Campbell Children’s School for many years, named after Ralph and Bea Campbell, who were instrumental in its development. The Campbell family will be honoured in the School’s new location at the Grandview Kids Ajax headquarters, which currently under construction and set to open in Fall 2024.

Community Corner

Ajax Public Library

Winterfest

• Monday, Feb. 19, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Location: Audley Recreation Centre
• Celebrate Family Day at the Town of Ajax Winterfest event, then warm up inside Audley Branch for crafting fun! 

Makerspace

• Sundays, Feb. 4-25 at 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Ajax Public Library McLean Branch
• Drop in for families with kids ages 10+
• Explore fun projects in the Makerspace, tackle challenges, or DIY something new!

Outdoor Explorers with Abilities Centre

• Saturday, Feb. 10, from 10 to 11 a.m.
• Ajax Public Library Audley Branch Reading Garden
• Get everyone active outside! Open to all ages and abilities.

Sensory Storytime

Connect with other families and enjoy fun themes, songs and stories at this inclusive storytime where all are welcome. Presented in partnership with Grandview Kids. More info >

• Thursdays, Feb. 1, 15, 19 from 10-10:30 a.m.
• Ajax Public Library Main Branch
• Drop in for families with kids aged 2 to 6

SPARK! Juried Art Show: An art show for Ajax kids from JK to Grade 8. Selected works will be displayed at Main Branch throughout March. Presented in partnerships with Pine Ridge Arts Council. Pick up an entry form at any branch or visit www.ajaxlibrary.ca/SparkArt.

 Black History Month

• 17^th Annual Durham Black History Month Celebration presented by Cultural Expressions Art Gallery Inc. This year’s theme is Our Decade: Recognition, Justice and Development, celebrating the last year of the International Decade for People of African Descent. For more information and to register, visit www.durhamblackhistorymonth.com
• Saturday, Feb. 3, from 5 to 9 p.m. at J. Clarke Richardson High School
• Sunday, Feb. 4, from 2 to 3 p.m. online
• BlackLit Durham Literacy Showcase: Decades of Black Ink
• Wednesday February 21, from 7 to 9 p.m. 
• St. Francis Centre for Community, Arts and Culture
• Celebrate Black Canadian literary voices of all genres. Join us for a night of amazing performances, open mic poetry and a Q+A with the artists. Visit www.blacklitdurham.com for more information.
• Black Voices Collection 
• Browse memoirs, essays, stories and ideas for adult readers on OverDrive. Find the collection on Black Voices - Ajax Public Library - OverDrive.

Pickering Public Library

Neurodivergent Drop-in

The library will be hosting a unique event catering to families with children who identify as being neurodivergent to come and experience the library prior to regular operating hours. Children will have the opportunity to socially interact with each other in a safe and welcoming space.

• No formal diagnosis is required to join in on this early opening experience!
• Second Sunday of every month at George Ashe Library
• 11 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Neurodivergent Storytime

This storytime takes place in a quiet and safe environment. It includes interactive stories, songs, action-rhymes, fingerplays and sensory activities that promote literacy skills and development. This storytime is ideal for children with sensory processing sensitivities and those on the Autism spectrum.

• Thursdays at the Pickering Central Library
• 10 to 10:45 am
• Ages 2-6 years-old
• Registration required.

Dates of significance

In February, we acknowledge several dates of significance, including Black History Month, World Hijab Day, Eating Disorders Awareness Week, Missing Women’s Memorial March, and International Childhood Cancer Day. Visit our website to read more about each holiday, written by members of our Inclusivity, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility (IDEA) Committee.

Acknowledging holidays and celebrations in February

In February, we acknowledge Setsubun, Isra’a and Miraj, Lunar New Year, Vasant Panchami, Nirvana Day and Shab-e Barat. Read more about each holiday/celebration on our blog, written by members of our IDEA Committee.

Grandview Kids Foundation

Annual Golf Fore Grandview Kids Charity Golf Classic

SAVE THE DATE! Grandview Kids Foundation is incredibly excited to announce the date of our 28^th Annual Golf Fore Grandview Kids Charity Golf Classic! On May 30, join us for a day of laughter, excitement and camaraderie. Registration begins February 13. To volunteer for this event, please visit our website and sign up as a volunteer, or email our Community Engagement and Donor Relations Officer, Lisa Pargetter!

We have a brand new monthly e-newsletter

Grandview Kids Foundation is launching a new monthly e-newsletter, Believe by Grandview Kids Foundation! This carefully curated newsletter is dedicated to maintaining a strong connection with our remarkable community members and devoted donors. Believe has been meticulously designed to provide you with timely updates on upcoming Foundation events, showcase the generosity of our donors, present heartwarming family impact stories, and deliver exciting news that will undoubtedly captivate your interest.

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Content in Gather is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult your doctor. Views expressed in posts and resources listed do not signify endorsement by Grandview Kids.