The Provincial Government, Newfoundland and Labrador Health Services and Conseil scolaire francophone provincial are introducing a new model to deliver health services in communities to improve the way parents, caregivers, educators and health professionals access programs and services for children and youth.
The new approach to service delivery is based on Health Accord NL and Education Accord NL recommendations to develop one model of community health services for children and youth. It also supports the Health Accord NL recommendations to create a more integrated approach to respond to health needs of children and youth in care and improve coordination and flow of health information by using digital technology.
The model will help reduce wait times and will improve care by:
- Establishing a user-friendly point of access for parents and caregivers, educators, and health professionals.
- Helping parents, caregivers, youth, and children access care and navigate services.
- Ensuring better collaboration throughout systems, departments, and community organizations.
- Providing integrated clinical screening and assessment to determine the next steps for care.
- Establishing collaborative teams to provide programs and services across health care and education settings and in communities.
Phase One
The first phase of the service improvements will be navigation enhancements provided in partnership with 211.
People caring for children and youth will be able to contact 211 via phone, text, and web to receive assistance with navigating health care, education, and community programs. 211 staff will provide information on available services and provide screening to ensure children and youth are connected to the proper services, including assessments for complex needs.
Phase Two
The second phase of the service improvements will consist of children and youth being assessed by professionals with experience in child health using evidence-based assessment tools to determine:
- What services are needed.
- The intensity of services required.
- The appropriate care path.
When CorCare, the provincial health information system, launches in the spring, it will include a central intake with improved and integrated pathways to access care and enhanced documentation to reduce unnecessary duplication of assessments.
The department and NL Health Services anticipate these phases to be established this winter and next spring, respectively.
Quotes
“Children and youth, especially those with complex needs, have challenges accessing health care. A significant change is needed to improve health outcomes. This new model will help ensure children, youth, and families get access to the right care and make it easier for them to access the care they need at home, in child care, in school, and in the community. It will also make it easier for departments to work together so that every child and youth has the support they deserve to do well.”
Honourable Krista Lynn Howell
Minister of Health and Community Services, Minister Responsible for Mental Health and Addictions, Minister Responsible for Newfoundland and Labrador Health Services
“The health and well-being of children and youth is foundational to their success in the education system. This important model will provide streamlined access to appropriate health care services, including pathways to services through schools, child care settings, and Family Resource Centres. These improvements will have positive impacts on the health and well-being of learners that will reverberate through schools, families, and communities.”
Honourable Bernard Davis
Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development and Minister of Families and Affordability
“Children and youth in Newfoundland and Labrador have the highest rates of complex health-care needs in the country. Supporting their well-being will benefit every family and community in this province. NL Health Services is looking forward to continuing our work with partners to implement the Child and Youth Community Model. This model will enable children, youth and their families to receive the care and support they need and promote well-being for all.”
Dr. Pat Parfrey
CEO, Newfoundland and Labrador Health Services
“On behalf of the Conseil scolaire francophone provincial, I welcome this initiative. The new Child and Youth Health Model will strengthen collaboration between health, education, and community services. This collaboration will improve access to essential services to support the well-being and success of all young people in Newfoundland and Labrador.”
Marcella Cormier
Director General of Education, Conseil scolaire francophone provincial
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Faciliter et améliorer l’accès aux services de santé grâce à un nouveau modèle de santé pour les enfants et les jeunes
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