Abstract
Background: The Thorncliffe Park Pediatric Neighbourhood Initiative is an integrated, community-based care model addressing the complex health and social needs of children in Thorncliffe Park—a high-risk, diverse Toronto neighbourhood with a significant population of newcomer families. This initiative focuses on early intervention for developmental disorders, while also mitigating challenges such as poverty, language barriers, housing and food insecurity.
Audience: This session is intended for healthcare providers, community leaders, policymakers, and social service organizations interested in integrated care models to reduce health disparities and improve access to culturally sensitive care.
Approach: The 60-minute workshop will follow an interactive format:
10 minutes: Introduction to the unique challenges in Thorncliffe Park and the initiative's approach to addressing population health needs and local context.
15 minutes: Presentation of case studies, highlighting partnerships with community organizations and the role of resilient communities.
20 minutes: Break into small groups for a structured problem-solving exercise. Groups will design a model for community-based, integrated care interventions, considering their own community contexts.
10 minutes: Facilitator-led group discussion on the adaptability of the Thorncliffe initiative, and how participants can apply the learnings to their own settings.
5 minutes: Closing remarks summarizing key takeaways, reinforcing the importance of integrating health and social services, fostering community partnerships, and leadership in overcoming health disparities. Encourage ongoing reflection and action.
Outcomes: Participants will gain practical insights into building cross-sector partnerships and learn strategies to enhance workforce capacity and community alliances. Key takeaways will highlight how addressing population health needs and fostering shared values can enable culturally sensitive care and bridge gaps in service access. These approached will promote health equity and improve outcomes for vulnerable populations.
The Thorncliffe Park Pediatric Neighbourhood Initiative has demonstrated impressive outcomes:
Wait-times: The developmental pediatrics waitlist for the Initiative currently stands at 3-4 months. By contrast, accessing a developmental pediatrician through traditional channels takes over one year, with some families waiting up to three years.
Referrals: In 2020, we reached 100 referrals. Now we are on track to reach 294, which is a 194% increase.
Client Testimonial:
“As a mother of a child with autism spectrum disorder, I felt lost and did not know what to do or how to start the treatment phase to help my son properly and effectively. The school clinic helped me fill out forms and how to benefit from government support. The doctor also helped me understand my son's condition and how to deal with him. Communicating with the school clinic had a positive impact in reducing the stress I was feeling.”
The Thorncliffe Park Pediatric Neighbourhood Initiative is a model of integrated, community-driven care that demonstrates how cross-sector partnerships and culturally sensitive approaches can bride gaps in service access, reduce health disparities, and improve outcomes for vulnerable populations.