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April 30, 2015 – May is Speech and Language Month

According to Peterborough Public Health, strong communication skills are essential for children’s growth, development and future success, as these skills help them learn new things, including reading and writing.

“Every word counts when it comes to a child’s speech skills,” says Leisa Baker, a Public Health Nurse with Public Health. “Parents and caregivers need to play, talk, listen and read with children to encourage speech and language development.”

May is Speech, Language and Hearing month and a great time to listen closely to their child’s vocabulary. Read a few extra books with your child this month.  Research shows that ‘reading aloud by parents is the single most important activity for building the knowledge required for eventual success in reading.  The more words a child hears as a baby and toddler, the larger his vocabulary will be by school age.

Baker notes that approximately one in 10 Ontario preschool children will experience a communication delay, a discovery that can be a surprise to parents and caregivers. Some parents may think their child is just quieter than other children, or that his or her frustration over words will work itself out over time. In reality, these may be indicators of speech and language problems, she says. Other warning signs to watch for in children include: difficulty following directions, having a hard time being understood, relying on gestures to communicate, and not pronouncing words clearly.

“Some parents may ignore these warning signs, thinking the problem will fix itself,” Baker adds. “Parents shouldn’t delay, and instead should address any speech and language issues. If identified early enough, the problem can usually be addressed.”

A good way for parents to assess a child’s communication ability is by using the Ontario government’s speech and language milestones for children up to the age of five years. The milestones and other resources are available at www.kidtalk.on.ca. People concerned about a child’s speech and language development can also turn for assistance to the District Preschool Speech and Language Program by calling Public Health at 705-743-1000 and speaking to a nurse.

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For further information, please contact:

Leisa Baker, RN
Public Health Nurse
705-743-1000, ext. 312

April 29, 2015 – ** Today a group of 19 local physicians learned how they can improve the health outcomes of patients living in poverty in a special workshop delivered at Peterborough Public Health in partnership with the Ontario College of Family Physicians.

“The link between poor health outcomes and poverty are well known, so helping doctors connect their patients with vital social services is essential and can ultimately benefit the entire community,” said Dr. Ariella Zbar, a Medical Resident at Public Health who co-delivered the workshop.  “It truly takes a comprehensive, community-wide approach to reduce poverty, and this includes more affordable housing, mental health programs, developing more income support programs and educating healthcare providers about how their patients can access them.”

Poverty represents a significant and reversible risk factor for poor health. The half-day workshop was offered to family physicians practising in Ontario, with the goal of teaching a simple three-step approach to intervening in patients’ poverty through the development of relevant clinical skills and a deeper understanding of the federal and provincial income security systems and related resources.  Participants learned how to develop, analyze and put into practice an approach to income security benefits-based interventions to address poverty as a risk to the health of individual family practice patients.

Other learning objectives included:

  • Exploring a simple three-step approach to intervening into individual patients’ poverty in a primary-care setting
  • Developing an understanding of the Ontario and Canadian income security systems, including benefits for children, working-age adults, people with disabilities and seniors
  • Learning about three accessible, user-friendly web-based resources that can be used to navigate income support systems in clinical practice and become familiar them with one such resource: Canada Benefits
  • Employing and analyze a critical approach to income security programs that require direct physician input through an in-depth exploration of the Ontario Disability Support Program
  • Examining ethical challenges that arise in helping patients navigate the income security system

For further information, please visit http://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/event?oeidk=a07eapup0ea7915f7ea&llr=xmbso8pab
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For further information, please contact:

Brittany Cadence, Communications Supervisor

705-743-1000, ext. 391

April 29, 2015 – City of Peterborough Social Services

Delivers the Ontario Works (OW) Program to eligible clients including basic needs, shelter costs, basic dental and vision care for children, and prescription drugs, covered under the Ontario Drug Formulary.

Clients may be eligible for Special Diet Allowances and costs towards medical travel and transportation.  For the Special Diet Allowance a Physician, Nurse Practitioner, Dietician, or a midwife (if a woman needs a special diet because she is pregnant or breastfeeding) must complete a Special Diet Allowance Application form.

Also delivers the Discretionary Benefits Program for OW and ODSP clients.  Discretionary Benefits items and services provided in Peterborough include adult dental and vision care (Ontario Works adults only) dentures, hearing aids, and subsidized transit passes for adults.

Recreation Subsidy: Families who receive ODSP or OW can obtain $100 per child per year for children for recreational or sports activities.  The City of Peterborough also administers a recreation subsidy for low income families and the Jump Start program.  A total of up to $200 can be available.  For details and eligibility levels go to: http://www.peterborough.ca/Living /Recreation/Subsidy Program.htm

Social Services also administers a municipal Housing Stability Fund – for OW or ODSP clients to help with rent or utility arrears, last month’s rent and some costs related to establishing a new residence.  An eligibility assessment is required.

Case Managers also provide employment counselling, as well as outreach to County locations and three Emergency Shelters.

Application for Ontario Works can be made online at:

http://www.mcss.gov.on.ca/en/mcss/programs/social/apply online.aspx, or by phone, or in person.

 

178 Charlotte Street (Charlotte Mews)
Tel: 705-748-8830             Toll-free: 1-855-738-3755
After hours emergencies: 705-740-6222 *For emergency shelter and food
Interactive Voice Response (IVR): 1-800-808-2268 (client specific information)
Website: www.peterborough.ca/socialservices

 

Peterborough Children’s Services

Children’s Services administers a Child Care Fee Subsidy Program for eligible families in Peterborough City and County.  This provides full or partial coverage of child care fees for low income families and children with special needs.  Also provides subsidies for families returning to school, participating in community or work-related placements, entering the workforce, or social needs placements.

Contact information as above.

Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) – Local Office

ODSP provides income and employment supports to people who have a substantial physical or mental impairment that is documented by a health professional.  Other benefits include: prescription drugs covered under the Ontario Drug Formulary, basic dental services, eyeglasses, hearing aids and special medical necessities.  A financial assessment will be made to assess eligibility. Clients may be eligible for Special Diet Allowances and costs towards medical travel and transportation.  For the Special Diet Allowance a Physician, Nurse Practitioner, Dietician or midwife (if a woman needs a special diet because she is pregnant or breastfeeding) must complete a Special Diet Allowance Application form.

Peterborough Square
360 George Street North, 2nd Floor
Tel: 705-742-9292
Toll-free: 1-800-663-8560

 

Community Counselling & Resource Centre

Professional and confidential counselling services including credit counselling for people of all ages who are experiencing problems.  Credit counselling services include budgeting and money management counselling, debt repayment programs, and bankruptcy counselling.  Fees are geared to income and no one is turned away due to inability to pay.

340 George Street North
Tel: 705-742-4258
Website: www.ccrc-ptbo.com

 

Housing Resource Centre (HRC)

The Housing Resource Centre helps low income people find and keep housing and prevents homelessness.  This includes vacancy listings, and financial assistance for needs such as overdue rent or utility bills.  All services are free and available to people of all ages.

The HRC also administers the Housing Stability Fund for low income people not receiving social assistance (OW and ODSP access through Social Services), as well as energy assistance funds for low income households.

 

540 George Street, North
Tel: 705-743-2272
Toll-free: 1-800-274-1611

Website: www.housingpeterborough.com/index.php/home1

 

Food in Peterborough

There is a comprehensive website addressing food security in Peterborough.  The site is divided into three sections for people who ‘Need food now’, who ‘Want to get involved’, or want to work to ‘Create long term change’. For people who need food now, the site contains a link to the monthly food calendar maintained by Social Services, with information about free meals offered every day in the City of Peterborough.

Website: www.foodinpeterborough.ca

Food Calendar: http://www.peterborough.ca/Living/City Services/Social Services/Food Calendar.htm.

 

Dental Services

No-cost dental services are available for families who are receiving Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) or Ontario Works (OW) benefits.

The Healthy Smiles Ontario (HSO) program also provides no-cost dental services for children and youth, 17 or under, without dental insurance, living in households with an adjusted family net income of $21,683or less (this amount increases by approximately $1,628.00 for each additional dependent child).

The Children in Need of Treatment (CINOT) program provides dental services for children and youth up to the age of 17, who have an urgent dental condition identified during school oral health screening, or at Public Health Community Dental Health Centres.

Adults living in Peterborough City or County without dental insurance who are experiencing a dental emergency may be eligible for limited assistance through charitable funds (when available).

Eligible clients are able to access dental services through the dental office of their choice – Peterborough Public Health provides dental services at their Community Dental Health Centre located downtown at 360 George Street, and on their Mobile Dental Health Centre (a fully-equipped, fully-accessible mobile vehicle that travels across the City and County delivering dental services such as check-ups, cleaning, fluoride treatments, fillings, and more).

For more information and to assess eligibility, contact the Peterborough County City Public Health at:

Tel: 705-748-2230
Toll-free: 1-877-743-0101
Text only line: 705-868-5171
Email: dental@peterboroughpublichealth.ca
Website: www.peterboroughpublichealth.ca

 

Peterborough Community Legal Centre

Free legal advice and/or legal representation for low-income residents of Peterborough City and County in the following areas:

  • Ontario Works/Welfare
  • Ontario Disability Support Program
  • Canadian Pension Plan
  • Housing (tenants only)
  • Workers’ Rights (Employment Insurance, Employment Standards, WSIB)
  • Consumer Protection and Education law

150 King Street, 4th Floor
Tel: 705-749-9355
Website: www.ptbo-clc.org

 

Peterborough Family Resource Centre (PFRC)

PFRC provides families and child care providers with education, support, and information, including services for parents seeking child care.  Also provides a wide variety of programs, both prenatally and for children up to the age of 6, at multiple locations in both City and County.

201 Antrim Street
Tel. 705-748-9144
Website: www.pfrc.ca

Peterborough has a variety of other services available to support families, children, and youth (e.g. child care, parenting, mental health, physical growth and development, etc.). For information on these services, visit this interactive community services map:

http://www.peterborough.ca/Living/City Services/Social Services/Community Social Plan/Community Services Map.htm

New Canadians Centre

Support for immigrants, refugees, and other newcomers in the Peterborough and Northumberland regions.  Services provided include:

  • Settlement services
  • Assistance with employment
  • Information and referrals

221 Romaine Street
Tel: 705-743-0882
Website: www.nccpeterborough.ca

 

Veteran Affairs Canada

Services and benefits are provided to meet the health, social, and economic needs of veterans, current members of the Canadian Forces, and their dependents.

Possible benefits may include:

  • War Veterans Allowance
  • Canadian Pension Commission
  • Veterans Independence Program
  • Vocational, psycho-social, and medical rehabilitation

Veterans may also be eligible for eyeglasses, dental care, medication coverage, and/or other medical benefits.

Peterborough Square
360 George Street North, Suite 300
Tel: 1-866-522-2122
Website: www.vac-acc.gc.ca

Free Eye Glass Program for Children “Eye See…Eye Learn”

This program is designed to encourage all parents of Junior Kindergarten children to get their childrens’ eyes tested in advance of starting school.

Website: http://www.optom.on.ca/OAO/ESEL/aboutESEL.aspx

 

Peterborough Poverty Reduction Network (PPRN)

PPRN is a local collaboration of agencies and individuals working to reduce poverty in our community.  The Network consists of six Work Groups focused on Income Security, Food Security, Housing, Basic Needs, Employment and Training, and Neighbourhood Hubs.  The Work Groups support action on short-term issues, and advocate for policy changes that address the root causes of poverty.

 

418 Sheridan St., Lower Level
Tel: 705-874-3818 (office)
Cell: 705-868-5590
Website: http://ptbopovertyreduction.com/

 

For a complete list of available community services and supports in Peterborough, visit:

http://www.fourinfo.com/

http://www.211ontario.ca/

Or telephone 2-1-1

 

Government Tax Credits and Benefits

Canada Revenue Agency – Disability Tax Credit

The disability tax credit (DTC) is a non-refundable tax credit used to reduce income tax payable on the income tax and benefit return.  A person with a severe and prolonged impairment in physical or mental functions may claim the disability amount once they are eligible for the DTC.

Website: http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/disability/

Canada Learning Bond

Money the federal government puts into a Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP), for families receiving the National Child Benefit Supplement.

Website: http://www.servicecanada.gc.ca/eng/goc/resp.shtml

Canada Child Tax Benefit

Tax free monthly payment made to eligible families to help them with the cost of raising children.

Website: http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/cctb/

Universal Child Care Benefit

Taxable benefit paid monthly to help families provide child care for their children.

Website: http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/bnfts/uccb-puge/menu-eng.html

Ontario Child Benefit

Tax free amount paid to help low and modest income families provide for their children.

Website: http://www.children.gov.on.va/htdocs/English/topics/financialhelp/ocb/index.aspx

Ontario Child Care Supplement for Working Families

For those not receiving fully subsidized day care and child under 7 years of age.

Website: http://www.fin.gov.on.ca/en/credit/occs/

Ontario Trillium Benefit

Combines Ontario Sales Tax credit, Ontario Energy and Property Tax credit.

Website: http://www.fin.gov.on.ca/en/credit/otb/

 

Children’s Activity Tax Credit

Helps parents with the cost of registering their children in organized activities.

Website: http://www.fin.gov.on.ca/en/credit/catc/

Website to Calculate Ontario Benefits

http://www.ontario.ca/taxes-and-benefits/ontario-tax-credits-and-benefits

150422 Colon Cancer Awareness Night

Colon Cancer Awareness Flyer

April 17, 2015 – ** To view the Board of Health Meeting Summary from April 15 please click the image below:

Screen Shot 04-17-15 at 02.14 PM

April 16, 2015 – “Controversies About Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder”

Featuring Dr. Kevin Nugent, Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist

Peterborough Healthy Families invites parents and caregivers during Children’s Mental Health Week to a free presentation entitled “Controversies About Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder” on Wednesday, May 6, 2015 from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. in the Auditorium of the Peterborough Public Library.

Dr. Kevin Nugent, Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist, has developed this presentation for parents and family members as well as professionals who work with children and adolescents.  There will be opportunity for questions and discussions. Light refreshments will be provided and everyone is welcome to attend.

Dr. Nugent works with several youth agencies and schools in the Peterborough area.  In 2011 he received the Naomi Rae Grant Award from the Canadian Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry for innovation and excellence in consultation and community intervention.

Peterborough Healthy Families is a multi-agency initiative made up of several local community partners, including Peterborough Public Health, Kinark Child and Family Services, Learning Disabilities Association of Peterborough, Peterborough Family Resource Centre, Peterborough Public Library, and the Asphodel Norwood Public Library.

For more information, please call 705-742-3803 or 1-800-386-6561 or visit www.peterboroughhealthyfamilies.ca.

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For further information, please contact:

Leisa Baker,
Public Health Nurse
705-743-1000, ext. 312

Spring 2015  – Service Information Fair for Professionals (Click for copy of poster)

Tuesday, May 5, 2015 • 10:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

at the Evinrude Community Centre • 911 Monaghan Road, Peterborough
12:30 p.m. – 1:15 p.m.: Sleep Matters

 

How Sleep Affects Learning, Behaviour and Health at all Ages
a presentation by Dr. Carlyle Smith, Ph.D., C. Psych.
Lifetime Professor Emeritus of Psychology, at Trent University

Who’s Supporting Families in Peterborough City/County? Find out…

  • Who Does What
  • How to Access Services • Referral Procedures
  • Waiting Lists
  • Who Should Attend?
  • Everyone who works with children, youth & families, including:
    • School Board Staff
    • Child Care Staff
    • Child & Youth Workers
    • Social Workers
    • Health Practitioners
    • Community Support Workers
    • Developmental Service Workers
    • Law Enforcement Professionals
    • Receptionists, Office Staff
    • College & University Students
    • Faith LeadersFor information, call 705-748-9144 or email servicefair@pfrc.ca
    Free Take-Home Resources • Light Lunch & Refreshments

April 10, 2015 –Location: Peterborough City Hall, Council Chambers

The community is advised that the next meeting of the Board of Health will take place on Wednesday, April 15, 2015 at 4:45 p.m. in the Council Chambers at Peterborough City Hall, 500 George St. North.

To download the agenda and the online board package, please visit:

http://www.peterboroughpublichealth.ca/about-us/about-us-2/board-of-health/meeting-agendas

The meeting is open to the community and members of the media.

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For further information, please contact:

Brittany Cadence

Communications Supervisor

705-743-1000, ext. 391