Grant: Planning and Dissemination Grant - Institute Community Support

One in five children in Canada lived in poverty and following the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, this number is projected to rise for at least the next five years. Marginalized Canadian families face higher unemployment rates, food insecurity and learning disparities impacting the health of young children. Children's healthcare providers are well positioned to screen for social risk factors and intervene to improve social determinants of health. Currently, there is no evidence-based framework to guide the integration of health and social care to support children's optimal development and health. With support from the St. Michael Hospital Foundation and the Government of Ontario, we are finalizing a scoping review of models of integrated health and social care in the outpatient medical setting. In addition, we are in the final stages of asset mapping and focus groups for stakeholders in three high-needs neighborhoods in Toronto to engage system users about their experiences accessing paediatric health and social care. The purpose of this proposal is to share results of preliminary findings with stakeholders from at-risk communities across Canada (Quebec, Alberta, and B.C) to stimulate discussion and establish national partnerships with relevant stakeholders including community members, frontline health and social care providers, policymakers, and community organizations. This project phase will inform the development of a national project co-created with at-risk parents and paediatric health and social care providers supporting at-risk families to improve integration and accessibility of health and social care.