INtegrated serviCes for incLUsion anD Equity (INCLUDE)

Campbell, W. (PI), Missiuna, C., Pollock, N., Phoenix, M., Kennedy, J., & Ng., S. (2017-2018). Exploring Integrated, School-based Universal Services to Enhance Inclusion and Equity. Community Health, Education and Research Grant, Hamilton Community Foundation.

A tiered service delivery approach involves providing some services universally to all children with more intense or individualized services being added for children who require more support. Helping families and educators better support children at home and at school is an important part of this approach.

The INCLUDE study is a joint effort between CanChild, the Hamilton Wentworth Catholic District School Board (HWCDSB), and the Hamilton Niagara Haldimand Brant Local Health Integration Network (HNHB LHIN) with research funding from the Hamilton Community Foundation. The project will study how health professionals and educators can work together as a team to deliver tiered services and support all members of school communities. The project is supported by a Steering Committee with members from the HWCDSB, HNHB LHIN, Saint Elizabeth Health Care (SEHC), and the research team.

The study uses a participatory action research approach by partnering with researchers, decision-makers, and local users. We are using qualitative research methods to learn about the processes, experiences, and activities of teams that include a special education resource teacher (SERT), occupational therapist (OT), and speech-language pathologist (SLP). The teams will work closely together for one school year in two elementary schools. The OT and SLP will work collaboratively with the SERT and educators to provide a range of services that support all children and the school community, including children with special needs. The SERT and SLP services are provided by the school board and OT services are provided by SEHC.

For more information contact:

Leah Dix, Project Coordinator