COVID-19 Response and Resources

This page is designed to provide families with our response related to the COVID-19 pandemic and a list of resources and supports available. CTN will update this page on an ongoing basis.

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CTN Response to COVID-19

CTN adheres to public health measures to help keep our communities and citizens safe. Our commitment is to keep you updated on what’s happening to support the kids, youth and families that we, along with our network partners, collectively serve.
 

Latest Update- December 20, 2022

In a news announcement made on December 15th, Health Canada announced the approval of a bivalent COVID-19 vaccine for kids five years of age and older. A COVID-19 bivalent booster targets the original COVID-19 virus and provides better protection against the other variants currently circulating in the community. Flu shots can also be safely given at the same time, or at any time before or after a COVID-19 vaccine for individuals aged six months and older. Find out more at ontario.ca/flu. To book your child's bivalent booster, visit the vaccination portal.

Ontario is currently experiencing a surge in respiratory viruses including respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), influenza and COVID-19. Young kids, especially those under five years of age, are more susceptible to respiratory viruses. Hospitals are reporting higher than ever admission rates for young kids related to influenza and RSV outbreaks. Clients and families are asked to put on a mask when entering CTN sites. Service providers will continue to wear a mask for all in-person client interactions. To protect young children and other vulnerable people, CTN supports the strong recommendation to mask in indoor public settings and to keep up to date with COVID-19 and flu vaccinations for individuals over six months of age.

Please participate in these activities to help prevent the spread of infection, reduce the severity of illness and support the capacity of our healthcare system to provide care.

  1. Screen daily for any symptoms of illness (pink eye, stuffy or running nose, earache, fever, new or worsening cough or shortness of breath in the last 24 hours or nausea, vomiting, diarrhea in the past 48 hours) or exposure to someone with COVID-19
  2. Stay home when sick
  3. Wear a mask in indoor public settings
  4. Stay up to date with vaccinations (COVID-19 and the flu shot)
  5. Wash hands and clean high-touch surfaces regularly


To learn more about caring for kids with fevers and respiratory illness, click here.

To learn more about keeping your family healthy and safe, read additional tips from the Ontario College of Family Physicians, click here.

If you have questions or concern about your child’s health, please reach out to your family doctor, local urgent care centre or emergency department, as needed.
 

COVID-19 Safety Measures

Important Reminder for Parents, Clients and Visitors: Self-Screening is Still Required When Coming to CTN and Masks are Recommended 
 

CTN employees and service providers will continue to wear masks when providing services to kids and youth. This will allow CTN to continue to keep our most vulnerable clients safe, protect our team from COVID-19 and will reduce the risk of a COVID-19 outbreak impacting our ability to provide services.

CTN recommends that parents/caregivers, kids and youth (where possible) wear a mask when receiving services. Kids, youth and families are welcome to wait in our waiting areas or if preferred, may wait in the car prior to your scheduled appointment.

For the protection of the kids and youth we serve, their families and our employees, CTN continues to have several COVID-19 health and safety measures in place including screening, hand washing, wearing masks and enhanced cleaning protocols.

CTN continues to deliver services both virtually and in person. If you have questions about your child’s appointment, please speak to your service provider or a member of the team.

Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health recommends that adults, youth and kids six months and older get their COVID-19 vaccinations. A booster shot(s) is also suggested, for those who are eligible. Appointments can be booked through the Ontario vaccine booking system.

If you have questions, please visit:


Our Programs & Services
CTN provides a number of programs and services to support kids and youth with disability and developmental needs and their families. Our network model allows us to deliver these programs and services through our partner organizations.

We deliver services through a hybrid of in-person and virtual visits depending on the program and the child's goals, needs and stage of service delivery. Your service provider will discuss the format of each visit with you and can address your questions or concerns.

Events & Resources

We often hear connecting families with each other is one of the greatest resources we offer. For a list of current events (both in-person and virtual) organized by CTN, our partners and local organizations, please visit our events page.

Below are resources and supports for families specific to COVID-19.  

Appointment Information:

The health and safety of the kids, youth, and families we serve as well as the wellbeing of employees and partners are at the centre of our planning for in-person services. Our approach to service delivery is guided by Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer, the Ministry of Health and Public Health Ontario guidelines and is adjusted based on this guidance.

CTN has the following measures in place for everyone’s safety:  

  • Options of both in-person or virtual services offered.
  • Changes to physical spaces at some of our locations to allow for physical distancing.  
  • Adjustment of schedules to permit time for enhanced cleaning of spaces after each use.  
  • Screening of employees, kids, youth and families for COVID-19 prior to entry to CTN sites.
  • Use of CTN provided medical grade masks by employees during your visit and other personal protective equipment (PPE), as needed.  
  • Practice of hand hygiene by using a hand sanitizer or hand washing upon entry to our sites and at key times.  
  • Recommendation for kids, youth and families to continue wearing a mask while at CTN sites. 


What to expect if you have an in-person appointment at our site

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    Day before your appointment:
    CTN will contact you to be sure that everyone is healthy and complete the Ministry of Health Covid-19 screening, using this COVID-19 self-assessment screening tool.
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    Day of scheduled appointment:
    If your child or a family member becomes unwell, please let us know and we will reschedule your appointment to a later date. Two parents/caregivers can accompany the child for the visit. If a third adult would like to participate in the assessment, please inform your child's service provider ahead of your appointment so that the other adult can attend the appointment virtually, if possible. Siblings (other than young babies) or other kids cannot attend the appointment.

    Oak Ridge's Site (13175 Yonge Street, Richmond Hill):
    • When you arrive for your appointment, please wait in your vehicle until the service provider calls you to complete the COVID-19 screening and invites you inside.

    All Other CTN sites:
    • When you arrive for your appointment, you may wait in our waiting area or if you prefer, stay in your vehicle and notify us of your arrival. Your service provider will complete the COVID-19 screening again.
    • Bring only the items you need into the CTN site.
    • To ensure everyone’s safety, service providers will be wearing personal protective equipment (PPE). This may include mask, gloves, gown and face shield.
    • To protect vulnerable clients who receive our services and to prevent an outbreak of COVID-19 among our employees, which would impact our ability to provide services, CTN requests that you, and if possible, your child wears a face mask. This does not include kids under 2 years old, people who have difficulty breathing or people who cannot remove the mask without assistance. CTN will supply appropriate face masks for your use.
    • Hand sanitizer is available. Please sanitize your hands when you enter and leave the building, and after using the washroom.


Have questions? Call us.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us at 1-866-377-0286. We will make every effort to make your visit as comfortable as possible and appreciate your cooperation during this time.

We are looking forward to seeing you. Stay safe and take care!
 
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