History of Co-ordinated Access for Child Care Initiative

May 1996

A Task Group composed of a broad cross-section of individuals from the child care, health, education and social services sectors in the City of Hamilton was formed. This Task Group, the Co-ordinated Access Task Group, was initiated following consultations that occurred between the Ministry of Community and Social Services, Hamilton Area Office and Affiliated Services for Children and Youth. ASCY facilitated the initiative in co-operation with the child care community.
 

The initial focus of the initiative was to enhance access to information on child care options and services for parents through the use of technology. After further discussion, the Task Group broadened the focus of the study to include exploration of other co-ordination activities between child care programs and services as follows:

• services for children with special needs (i.e. centralized intake, co-ordinated processes and forms, centralized waiting list, etc.)
• registry of home-based child care providers
• common application forms re: licensed child care programs

 

Presentation by a staff member from the Niagara Community Development Centre on the Single Point Access Model that was being developed in that community. Review of similar projects that are occurring in other areas and sectors of the province. Discussion on other co-ordination activities that are presently occurring in the Hamilton-Wentworth community and the importance of ensuring linkages to these initiatives.
 

June 1996

Discussion on the potential components and benefits for consumers and service providers of a co-ordinated access system for the child care sector in our community. Discussion on the types of information we need to collect from consumers and service providers to assist us with the development of the model.
 

August 1996

Reviewed and refined the Goals and Objectives and Guiding Principles for the study.
 

September 1996

Development of Terms of Reference to guide the Task Group in meeting the objectives of the study. Defined the term "Co-ordinated Access" and developed a Vision Statement.
 

October 1996

Development of a "Current Picture" as a means of identifying what is presently occurring in the child care sector and next steps, for example:

• the type of information each agency/sector is providing to consumers and other service providers
• the case management function of the agency
• how agencies manage their waiting list, etc.
• development of a workplan for the initiative
• discussion on the limitations, potential barriers and the impact a Co-ordinated Access Model for Child Care may have on the current system

November 1996

Presentation by the Hamilton-Wentworth Business Information Network and discussion on the potential of linking the Co-ordinated Access Model for Child Care with this initiative. Presentation by Wanda St. Francois, Executive Director of ASCY, on the Westcoast Child Care Resource Centre in British Columbia regarding the development of their "One Stop Access Centres". Reviewed and refined the survey approach and tools developed by a Working Group of the Task Group.
 

December 1996

Conducted a consumer survey via several agencies whose mandates include the provision of information on child care services and supports available in the community to parents. Discussed and refined the Proposed Co-ordinated Access Model for Child Care in the City of Hamilton.
 

January 1997

Updates on similar initiatives that are occurring in our Region including the activities of Integration Resources HUB and the "Family Resource Centres" at the Chedoke and McMaster Hospital sites.
 

February 1997

Overview of the Consumer Survey Results. Presentation and Review of the Draft Discussion Report - "Proposed Co-ordinated Access Model for Child Care" developed by a Working Group of the Task Group.
 

April 1997

Submitted our report and recommendations entitled "Proposed Co-ordinated Access Model for Child Care" (April 1997) to the Ministry of Community and Social Services, Hamilton Area Office.
 

June 1997

Presentation on the "Proposed Co-ordinated Access Model for Child Care" was made to the Hamilton-Wentworth Child Care Advisory Committee.
 

January 1998 to the present

The Core Agencies outlined in the "Proposed Co-ordinated Access Model for Child Care" have been meeting on a regular basis to address the recommendations in the report.