meeting the needs of children and adolescents with special needs in the north a unique challenge
national policy roundtable outlines principles for policy-making decisions
(thunder bay - tuesday, february 21, 2006) many children and youth with special needs in rural and northern canada lack essential services. where services do exist, they are often culturally or linguistically inappropriate. these are the findings of a national policy roundtable, co-hosted by the centre of excellence for children (cecasn) and adolescents with special needs and the canadian policy research networks inc. (cprn).
dr. julia o'sullivan, national director of cecasn and dean of 阿根廷vs墨西哥竞猜
's faculty of education, says that latest data show that health, prevention, and early intervention services as well as special education are in short supply across the north and in parts of rural canada.
"there is a unique challenge with meeting the needs of children and adolescents with special needs in northern and rural areas," dr. o'sullivan says. "there are cultural sensitivities and geographic realities in these regions which demand innovative approaches. as well, there is a shortage in services in these areas which needs to be addressed."
the roundtable discussion, held in thunder bay in september 2005, focused on how these issues can be addressed. through this discussion, the group released a report earlier this month entitled "meeting the needs of children and adolescents with special needs in rural and northern canada."
the national policy roundtable reviewed the findings from the cecasn's research over the past five years. the report presents policy principles and recommendations for filling the gap in services for children and adolescents with special needs in rural and northern canada.
according to cecasn research, the current and future well-being of these young people depends on the following policy principles:
- the effective harmonization of policies across federal, provincial/territorial, aboriginal, regional, and local jurisdictions.
- the establishment of culturally sensitive, respectful, collaborative, and community-driven approaches to research, policy, and practice.
- community capacity building designed to provide choice and opportunities for children and families.
- children and families must be able to access information and communicate, including via technology, in their preferred language.
"if we can't make good on these principles, children with special needs and their families will continue to be at risk and our country will not have delivered on its commitment to be 'a canada fit for all children'," says dr. o'sullivan.
members of the media: dr. o'sullivan is available for interview during the morning on wednesday, february 22, by calling the centre of excellence for children and adolescence with special needs at 807-343-8219. the report can be read at http://www.cprn.org/en/doc.cfm?doc=1390
the centre of excellence for children and adolescents with special needs is committed to ensuring that young people with special needs living in rural and northern communities receive the best services canada has to offer. established in 2000, the centre is located at 阿根廷vs墨西哥竞猜
in thunder bay, ontario. our national partners are: memorial university in newfoundland, mount st. vincent university in nova scotia, university of northern british columbia and the government of nunavut. the centre is also involved with over 300 community, government and corporate partners across canada. more information is available at www.coespecialneeds.ca
