Event

Presenters: Carol Blaind and Marnie McDermott

Navigating various service systems can be very challenging for persons with complex health and mental health needs.  Many times, it is hard to understand the day-to-day supports and environment that persons with developmental disabilities need to be safe and healthy.  The coordination and advocacy from professionals are the key elements in developing a comprehensive transition care plan for persons to be properly supported. This presentation will highlight a unique story of support and strength in numbers. Participants will hear the story of an individual with complex medical and mental health needs, the long painful journey to access lifesaving support, the challenges, and successes in working with specialized disciplines and the medical community.

Presenters: Cindie Evans, Tanya Makela, Dr. Jennifer Martins, Melanie Powell and Patricia Warner

The Dual Diagnosis Collaborative Clinic: A Multidisciplinary Clinical Approach for Persons with a Dual Diagnosis

Presenters: Cindie Evans, Tanya Makela, Dr. Jennifer Martins, Melanie Powell and Patricia Warner

The Dual Diagnosis Collaborative Clinic (DDCC) consists of a multidisciplinary team that provides comprehensive assessments to persons with Intellectual Developmental Disabilities (IDD) and comorbid mental health issues.  Utilizing a biopsychosocial approach, the clinic aims to provide prompt access to specialized mental health assessment and treatment recommendations.  The DDCC provides a space that is inclusive, accessible, compassionate, and safe for patients and their caregivers. This session will outline the history of establishing the Clinic and how the DDCC is building capacity to better support persons with IDD.  The DDCC focuses on patient-centred care by incorporating psychoeducation, mentorship, support, and collaborating with caregivers. Case examples will also be shared to demonstrate this collaborative clinical approach to support.

(Buffet lunch is provided)

Presenters: Courtney Hutson, Vicky Simos, Marnie Lye and Samantha Airhart

The Clinical Justice Program (CJP), established in 2018, is a collaboration between Centre for Behaviour Health Sciences (Mackenzie Health) and Community Networks of Specialized Care-Central East (CLH Developmental Support Services). This solution-focused Clinical Justice Program supports individuals with a dual diagnosis who are involved in the criminal justice system as a victim, witness or accused to ensure they experience the justice system in an inclusive manner. The CJP encompasses five separate pillars of clinical support focused on bridging service gaps, client-centered innovation, and collaboration with community partners.

Participants will be provided with an in-depth understanding of the hybrid, collaborative service delivery model and how it continues to evolve to meet the needs of service sectors, agencies, and vulnerable individuals. Attendees will be offered the opportunity to download the CNSC-CE Justice App 2.0 and printable resource sheets focused on building capacity in an ever-changing world.

Presenters: Gerald Nganjue, Erin Servello and Otto Ebomteneh

According to research, adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities who demonstrate severe, complex and challenging behaviours experience extended stays or waits in Ontario hospitals before transitioning to their next level of care. In hospital parlance, these individuals are referred to as an “Alternate Level of Care Patient:” There is a plethora of reasons why people with intellectual and developmental disability are experiencing an extended stay in hospitals in Ontario.

Mindful of their extended stay in the hospital’s acute inpatient unit, a clear pathway and high-quality discharge and transition planning process must be developed to support these individuals to their appropriate level of care in the community. This presentation will focus on the fundamentals of enabling people to move successfully from the acute hospital settings to the community. We will delve into specific case studies, highlighting the critical components to be included in a robust transition plan. Participants attending this presentation will walk away with tangible resources for planning and engaging stakeholders in developing and implementing a successful transition plan.

Presenters: Jhanvi Kothary, Thaaniya Theivendiran and Michelle Thurgar

With advancements in health and social conditions, people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) are now living longer than in previous years. This highlights the need for health and allied health experts alongside direct support professionals and persons supported to collaborate and leverage their expertise and experience to adapt and implement evidence-based practices to enhance the quality of care and improve health outcomes for adults with IDD and complex needs.

In 2021, Central West Specialized Developmental Services (CWSDS) partnered with the Registered Nurses Association of Ontario (RNAO), and began its journey to become the first developmental services congregate care setting internationally to be designated as a RNAO Best Practice Spotlight Organization (BPSO).  BPSO’s use evidence-based guidelines to improve care and health outcomes for persons supported, as well as creating a culture of quality improvement.  In becoming a BPSO, CWSDS adopted and implemented a series of RNAO’s Best Practice Guidelines (BPG) and utilized their Leading Change Toolkit to engage with staff across the organization. BPG’s are credible and rigorous evidence-based documents that provide recommendations for health professionals, policy -makers, and leaders on how to improve outcomes for people supported and their caregivers.

The presenters will share how CWSDS’s partnership with RNAO helped us develop innovative tools, improve service delivery, and disseminate knowledge both internally and externally with our community partners with a focus on falls preventions for persons with IDD in congregate settings.  The interactive presentation will highlight:

• How CWSDS’s organizational values of Accountability, Adaptability, Collaboration, Inclusion, Innovation and Respect provided a solid foundation in the development and implementation of our person-centered Falls Prevention Program
• How using RNAO’s evidence informed resources and guidelines, CWSDS’s multi-disciplinary clinical team adapted RNAO’s falls prevention practice recommendations to meet the specialized needs of persons with IDD and complex needs, ensuring that appropriate assessments, interventions and resources were developed, implemented and sustained
• How momentum was built across CWSDS by fostering a climate of learning, collaboration, and inclusion of our multidisciplinary teams, empowering them to take on the important role of supporting the implementation of the Falls Prevention Program
• The process and development of our phased roll-out approach of the Falls Prevention Program, to include the piloting of resources and assessment tools at an identified supportive living home and
• The strategies utilized for education and training of our new Falls Prevention Program.

The presenters will also share falls prevention tools and resources with participants.

In CWSDS’s overall pursuit of learning and leading together, we look forward to sharing our experience and knowledge with you as we continue to promote an evidence-based culture and adapt Best Practice Guidelines to elevate the quality of life of the people we support.