Staff with Five Counties Children’s Centre are promoting the new SmartStart Hub and its online service request form. The new online portal is a partnership with Five Counties and other local agencies. The goal is to break down barriers and make it easier for families in Peterborough, Northumberland, Kawartha Lakes and Haliburton who have concerns about their child’s development to more easily connect to care that’s close to home.
Five Counties’ Online Portal Available in Northumberland County
“Think of the SmartStart Hub at Five Counties as the front door to go through to find support and services in your community for concerns about your child’s development.” Alex Cranfield, a Program Manager
Northumberland – September 14, 2023 – Families who have concerns about their child’s development can now easily click and connect to care that’s close to home.
The launch of the new SmartStart Hub at Five Counties Children’s Centre makes it easier for parents and caregivers with concerns about a child or youth’s development to get the help they need. The online portal is available to families in Peterborough, Northumberland County, City of Kawartha Lakes and Haliburton County who have children/youth up to age 19 (or age 21 if still in school).
Families can use the visit SmartStart Hub portal to register their child and request services. All information shared through the SmartStart Hub is confidential and secure; no referral or diagnosis from a physician or other professional is needed either. Once the request for services is submitted, Five Counties staff will follow up with the parent/guardian to do a more thorough intake assessment to refer them to the most appropriate service for their child.
“Think of the SmartStart Hub at Five Counties as the front door to go through to find support and services in your community for concerns about your child’s development,” says Alex Cranfield, a Program Manager at Five Counties. “SmartStart simplifies the process, as we do the work to connect you to the right service provider or care agency.”
While families are being encouraged to use the SmartStart Hub at Five Counties, Cranfield notes that others can also use the online portal for referrals, including: schools, health care providers and other community agencies.
The SmartStart Hub at Five Counties can connect families to support for any child development concerns relating to:
- Moving around.
- Performing daily tasks like feeding and eating.
- Speaking with and being understood by others.
- Getting along with other people.
- Taking part in routine activities.
Services provided through the SmartStart Hub include: speech and language therapy, occupational therapy physiotherapy, parent coaching, assessments, and much more. “Services are provided in a friendly, supportive and culturally-safe environment that includes the family as a full partner in the care being provided,” Cranfield adds.
SmartStart Hub is being spearheaded by Five Counties, with the support of other partner agencies including; Peterborough Public Health; Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit; Point in Time Centre for Children, Youth and Parents; BGC Kawarthas; Oak Valley Health System (Infant Hearing Program/Blind-Low Vision Program); Kinark Child and Family Services; Dnaagdawenmag Binnoojiiyag Child and Family Services; and Northumberland Child Development Centre.
“Accessing the SmartStart Hub doesn’t prevent families from directly contacting a service provider if they know what their child’s needs is and where to go for help,” Cranfield notes.
Five Counties Children’s Centre is one of 22 Children’s Treatment Services offering SmartStart Hub services across Ontario. Five Counties provides speech, physio and occupational therapies, as well as other kids’ treatment services, in Peterborough, Kawartha Lakes, Northumberland and Haliburton. Services are provided through Centre sites in Peterborough, Lindsay, Cobourg, Campbellford and Minden, as well as in area schools and other venues in the community.
This past year, Five Counties served more than 6,200 children and youth in its region – the highest number of clients in its nearly 50-year history. To learn more, visit www.fivecounties.on.ca.
