2018 2019 ANNUAL REPORT

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We are “all in”.

This year we’ve been challenged to adapt to a rapidly changing environment. February brought news that the Ontario government was moving to fee-for-service funding of autism services. We’ve developed a comprehensive range of fee-based services for children and youth on the spectrum and their families. We are committed to continuing to provide autism services that we know are life changing for young people and their families.

Health system transformation including the creation of Ontario Health Teams is another change we are preparing for. This change will require new partnerships, an increased emphasis on data and evaluation, and improved coordination of services across multiple organizations.

The changes around us are significant and require us to think deeply about how we do our work. A new quality strategy will help guide us as we examine our work, learn from experience and work towards the

Janet McCrimmon, Executive Director

Zamin Baqar, President

most effective and efficient organization possible. Maintaining the status quo is not sufficient for our organization to thrive in the coming years and indeed, the status quo is not possible. We will need to be creative and flexible to find the best way forward.

As one measure of quality, Aisling Discoveries completed its Canadian Centre for Accreditation on-site review this year. Organizations participate in accreditation to foster a culture of ongoing learning and improvement and to provide assurances that the organization meets standards of practice in like organizations. We were delighted to achieve 100% of both mandatory and leading practice standards. We received positive feedback about all aspects of the organization, from client service to management to board governance. Many thanks to all who were involved in accreditation preparations.

As we respond to these changes, we keep the best interests of the people we serve at the forefront of our thinking. We strive to influence government to make decisions that foster healthy children and families as well as supportive, inclusive communities.

Our work would not be possible without the dedication and commitment to excellence of our staff, the leadership of our board, the generosity of our funders and donors and the terrific collaboration of partner organizations. Many thanks to all of you for being “all in” on this journey with us.

All in to help infants, children, youth and families address their challenges.

All in to help them develop the knowledge and skills to thrive.

All in to create an excellent place to work for our employees.

All in to identify strategies to thrive in these challenging times.

Helping children, youth and families thrive.

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Aisling Discoveries welcomes children, youth and their families primarily from Scarborough and East York. Our agency has eight locations in Scarborough, a vibrant, diverse community.

The communities we serve experience social, economic and physical inequities, all of which can lead to poor mental health outcomes.1 In Scarborough:

Who We Serve

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1 Kumar, N., Aery, A., Acco Weston, N. (2019) Stress Report: A Snapshot of Socioeconomic Status, Housing Quality and Crime Across Toronto Neighbourhoods. Wellesley Institute. (1)

2 Scarborough City of Toronto Community Council Area Profiles (2016) Census: Population Highlights 2018 25-Wards.

3 City of Toronto (2014) Neighbourhood Improvement Area Profiles. Retrieved April 24, 2019: https://www.toronto.ca/city-government/data-research-maps/neighbourhoods-communities/nia-profiles/

4 Services include mental health, autism and early intervention. Some children, youth and families received multiple services.

52%SPEAK A FIRST LANGUAGE OTHER THAN ENGLISH OR FRENCH2

10,922SERVICES WERE DELIVERED TO CHILDREN, YOUTH AND FAMILIES4

1,570CHILDREN ACCESSED OUR EARLY ABILITIES PRESCHOOL SPEECH AND LANGUAGE PROGRAM

941CHILDREN, YOUTH AND PARENTS ACCESSED OUR AUTISM SERVICES

57%RESIDENTS ARE IMMIGRANTS2

19%OF NEWCOMERS ARE REFUGEES2

1 in 4ARE LONE PARENTS WITH CHILDREN2

21%OF POPULATION EXPERIENCES LOW INCOME2

89%OF CLIENTS IN MENTAL HEALTH ACHIEVED THEIR GOALS

OUR COMMUNITIES

FAMILIES WE SERVE (BY POSTAL CODE)

To support the needs of these diverse communities, we provide a wide range of programs and services.

We strive to give all children, youth and their families the opportunity to develop the knowledge and skills they need to thrive, no matter what challenges they face.

35%

65%AGE 0-5

AGE 6-12

CHILDREN’S MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES CLIENT BREAKDOWN: 1,243 CHILDREN

190 PROFESSIONALS

1,437 PARENTS

PARTICIPATED IN COMMUNITY SUPPORT PROGRAMS

Nine of 31 designated Neighbourhood Improvement Areas (NIAs) are located in our catchment area. NIAs have been identified by the City of Toronto as neighbourhoods that require more support and investments to foster resident well-being.3

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Here at every step.

Through our comprehensive array of early intervention, prevention and treatment programs, our professional and experienced staff support people from before birth through to the teenage years.

We offer prenatal programming, infant groups and mental health programs for preschoolers and school-aged children. We also offer autism support for children, youth and parents. Our professional staff work hard to help children, youth and families develop the skills, knowledge and resilience they need to handle their immediate challenges and shape a better tomorrow.

PROVIDING A CONTINUUM OF CARE

“Seeing the growth and changes and the skills that he’s learned since October has meant a lot for our family. … We have just seen a huge change in my son, and we have seen a huge change with IBI.”MICHELLE PARENT, AUTISM SERVICES

“When our-four-year old deaf son developed signs of anxiety, and knowing that our seven-year-old hearing daughter was also affected (and was likely feeling left out due to our son’s time-consuming, attention-seeking behaviour) we reached out to Aisling Discoveries for help. Our therapist listened carefully and worked with us to set goals for each session as well as for the series of sessions as a whole, and expertly facilitated ways for us to meet them.”HEATHER PARENT

We are here for infants, children, youth and families to identify and support developmental and mental health concerns as they emerge.

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From the very beginning...

When families are about to welcome a new baby, we’re here when they need extra support. We provide prenatal nutrition programs, support with infant development, caregiver-infant attachment and several evidence-informed groups. After birth, our family home visitors provide in-home support in 22 languages to help the youngest members of our community and their families build resilience so they can thrive.

It can be stressful when parents learn their child may not be meeting milestones. Sometimes parents observe or hear feedback that their child is having difficulties at home or in daycare. Our speech and language program helps support preschoolers as they work to acquire language. For families navigating an early autism spectrum disorder diagnosis, our autism services are available for children from two years of age. We also offer mental-health services for toddlers, preschoolers and their families.

All of our programs deliver flexible services for building skills, competencies and resiliencies and creating

awareness.

CHILDREN AND FAMILIES FROM BEFORE BIRTH TO FIVE YEARS

“It’s like a breath of fresh air. Being pregnant is lonely at times, stressful at times. It’s nice to have that support, that little group to go to. … I was welcomed with open arms.”SHERENE PARENT, GROWING HEALTHY TOGETHER PRENATAL PROGRAM

“I was so worried and my home visitor was so supporting. They said he will talk, he will talk. What they gave me was so helpful for me. … I didn’t have any idea what is autism. It was new to me, and they taught me.”PARENT, HOME VISITOR PROGRAM

PROGRAMS OFFERED:

• Family Home Visiting

• Prenatal Nutrition Classes

• Child Care Consultation

• Community Support Programs

• Preschool Speech and Language

• Support for Schools

• Group Programs

• Infant Mental Health

• Brief Counselling Services

• Parent Education and Coaching

• Autism Services

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Through the school-aged years...

PROGRAMS OFFERED:

• Community Support Programs

• Support for Schools

• Childcare Consultation

• Brief Counselling Services

• Individual Counselling with Children

• Family Counselling and Therapy

• Priority Access

“They work within fairly significant limitations (of staffing and waitlists), but they manage to do that in a way that is respectful and compassionate to families and provides them with hope. And hope is the thing that families who have kids in crisis need the most.”PARENT, CHILDREN’S MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES

“The staff that we connected with were the most engaged, well-informed, thoughtful professionals we’ve had the pleasure of working with through this extremely difficult time in our lives. Having a warm, caring, professional human being on the other side of that conversation makes a huge difference in the amount of crisis I experience in my day.”PARENT, CHILDREN’S MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES

When a child is facing a mental health challenge, whether at school or at home, it can be difficult for their families to know how best to help them. Our family-focused programs and services support the diverse mental health and autism needs of children between the ages of six and 12. Our skilled and compassionate staff work with children whose challenges range in severity and help support their families through difficult periods.

From programs that prioritize families involved with child welfare to intensive, short-term services that help strengthen children’s ability to function effectively in their home, school or community, we are here to help school-aged children and identify and treat concerns as they emerge. We are recognized in the community for delivering evidence-informed treatment services for children who have experienced trauma, abuse or incidents that resulted in loss or grief.

We work with the city’s publicly funded school boards to provide day treatment and student support services to children whose needs can’t be met by existing supports in the school system. We also provide a residential treatment program for children whose emotional, social or behavioural issues prevent them from functioning at home.

CHILDREN FROM SIX TO 12 YEARS AND THEIR FAMILIES

• Student Support Services

• Trauma Treatment Services

• Intensive Child and Family Service

• Day Treatment

• Residential Treatment

• Autism Services

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As kids become young adults...

As children with autism spectrum disorder grow older, their needs may change.

Building on the autism services we offer to children from the age of two, we continue to provide flexible services to support youth with autism spectrum disorder.

We have maintained this commitment to quality and excellence in autism services as we mobilize to provide fee-for-service options with the funding changes that emerged this past year. Our autism services are integrated and coordinated with other services that youth or their family may be receiving at Aisling Discoveries or in the community.

In addition to continuous evaluation and monitoring for clients of our autism services, we also support their families with a range of parent and family supports, including parent support groups. Our services are also responsive to changing evidence and best practices.

FOR YOUTH FROM 13 TO 18 YEARS WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER AND THEIR FAMILIES

PROGRAMS OFFERED:

• Autism Services

“They (the staff) were phenomenal about supporting us in the home, giving us ideas, giving us advice about where to go to get educated.”MELISSA PARENT OF TWINS, AGED 15, WHO HAVE RECEIVED INTERMITTENT AUTISM SERVICES FROM AISLING DISCOVERIES SINCE 2008

“It’s a very connected and supported environment. You can call and say you’re having a horrible day; nothing is working, and they get it. It’s the ‘I-get-it’ group.”MELISSA PARENT, AUTISM SERVICES

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We are always growing

Experiencing trauma can have long-lasting effects and can impact a child’s well-being and ability to cope. Trauma-informed care includes an understanding that anyone can have a history of trauma, and that a child’s behaviours may represent their efforts to cope with over-whelming distress. As part of our ongoing development of a trauma model of service, we provided specialized training for our employees. As a result of this training program, we have adopted a trauma-informed approach which includes early screening and clearer interven-tion techniques for therapists. This framework builds on our strengths-based approach to care and emphasizes our commitment to a physically and emotionally safe, respectful and accepting environment for children and families.

SHIFTING THE LENS ON TRAUMA

We made reducing the amount of time families had to wait for treatment services a priority. Feedback from clients in our children’s mental health services indicated that they wanted faster access to our services. In response to this feedback, we forged a working group to intro-duce single-session, brief therapy. This year we trained our staff on best practices in single-ses-sion interventions and revised our processes so that we can see more clients in brief services and reduce the amount of time clients spend waiting for treatment.

SERVING MORE CLIENTS WITH BRIEF SERVICES

Many of our clients with an autism diagnosis also have communication challenges. This year we ran a pilot program to explore a collaborative, cross-departmental approach to helping preschoolers with autism spectrum disorder develop their language and communication skills. Our goal was to improve coordination and reduce duplication families may experience when accessing services. A behaviour therapist from our Autism Services ABA program and a speech language pathologist from our Early Abilities program met together with a small group of preschoolers over the fall and winter. Parents were involved in the process, so they could receive support and learn how to help their children work on their communication goals. This pilot program offered opportunities for cross training for the two staff members involved, and the children in the group achieved the program’s communication goals. A collaborative approach to speech and language goals for preschoolers with autism spectrum disorder is something we hope to continue.

COLLABORATING TO ACHIEVE SHARED GOALS

We are committed to reducing barriers to accessing our programs. Having our services available in a safe place – like a shelter – in-creases the likelihood that mothers and their children who experience domestic violence will participate in service. This year, we expand-ed on the work we do with shelters for women fleeing violence. After receiving additional funding from the Ministry of Children, Commu-nity and Social Services, we enhanced our work with three shelters (Dr. Roz’s Healing Place, Red Door Women’s Shelter and Julliette’s Place). Our therapists provided counselling services on-site for women and their children. We also offered children’s groups in the shelters that focused on building resiliency and self-regulation. Our on-site work in partnership with shelter staff helps children develop skills and positive social inter-actions with their peers and with their mothers.

BARRIER-FREE PROGRAMS IN SHELTERS

After providing support to refugee women and their children for two and a half years, the Newcomer Women’s Empowerment Project concluded in March 2019. In response to the increasing number of refugee women arriving in Toronto, we partnered with Catholic Cross-Cultural Services, the East Scarborough Boys and Girls Club and the Immigrant Women’s Health Centre to provide parenting groups and children’s groups for newcomers to Canada to help them navigate life in their new home. Over the 2018-2019 year, we were able to support 48 adults and 46 children with this program. We gained valuable lessons on improving services for refugee women and children, which we plan on incorporating into our early intervention and community programs.

SUPPORTING NEWCOMERS

We consistently monitor and evaluate our work to ensure our practices are up-to-date and in line with the latest research.

Over the last year, we launched a number of initiatives to better meet the changing needs of our community and improve some of our methods and programs.

“The employees made all the difference. The services themselves were what they were, but it was the staff that cared about our families, cared about what we were doing, cared about whether I was having a breakdown.”MELISSA PARENT

GENEVA CENTRE

TORONTO CATHOLIC DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD

TORONTO DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD

CAPITALIZE FOR KIDS

DORSET PARK HUB

THE RED DOOR

SHELTER

YWCA TORONTO

SCARBOROUGH CENTRE FOR

HEALTHY COMMUNITIES

MACAULAY CHILD DEVELOPMENT

CENTRE

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Strength through partnership

Aisling Discoveries welcomes students from colleges and

universities for practicum placements every year. Our staff

provide essential mentorship to students pursuing careers

in social work, speech-language pathology, communicative

disorders, child and youth work, behaviour analysis, early

intervention and administrative services.

POST-SECONDARY STUDENT PLACEMENTS

This year, we hosted a total of 30 students from the

following schools:

• Centennial College

• George Brown College

• Seneca College

• Humber College

OUR PARTNERSHIP HIGHLIGHTS

Aisling Discoveries is part of a strong network of services and supports. By partnering with other like-minded organizations, we strengthen our ability to improve the well-being of the people we serve.

• York University

• Wilfred Laurier University

• University of Toronto

• Durham College

ETOBICOKE CHILDREN’S

CENTRE

SURREY PLACE

CHILDREN’S AID SOCIETY OF TORONTO

KERRY’S PLACE

AUTISM SERVICES

THE HANEN CENTRE

CATHOLIC CROSS-CULTURAL

SERVICES

MOBILE WOMEN’S HEALTH CLINIC

DR. ROZ’S HEALING PLACE

FAMILY RESIDENCE

JULIETTE’S PLACE

CHILDREN’S MENTAL HEALTH

SPEECH AND

LANGUAGE

THE GEORGE HULL CENTRE

MALVERN FAMILY

RESOURCE CENTRE

TORONTO PUBLIC HEALTH

COMMUNITY PROGRAMS

BIRKDALE RESIDENCE

WEST SCARBOROUGH

EARLYON

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ADVENTURE PLACE

EAST METRO YOUTH

SERVICES

SCARBOROUGH HEALTH

NETWORK

CATHOLIC CHILDREN’S AID

SOCIETY OF TORONTO

BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB OF EAST

SCARBOROUGH

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CENTRE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Zamin BaqarMark Burstein Donna ChowLauren DadeGeorge GanasVictoria GarbuttWilliam LumsdenTom MoutsatsosJason PilzGregory RossJordan RossScott Sinclair Marissa SmithJolly Yang

FOUNDATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Zamin BaqarPaul BathoWilliam LumsdenGregory RossScott SinclairDivya SteinwallDeborah Wolfe

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Why I give

SCOTT SINCLAIR FORMER BOARD MEMBER AND DONOR

“To me, they perform a critical service in the community. Children’s mental health is an area that’s underfunded from a government point of view. It’s critically needed. … I think incredibly highly of the organization. They provide an amazing breadth of services and an amazing quality of services on a very tight budget, so if I can help, I think that’s great.”

Donations help us make a positive difference in the lives of children, youth and families in our community. Thank you for your support from April 1, 2018 to March 31, 2019.

$10,000+

Jian Zhou

$1,000 TO $9,999

Zamin Baqar CP24 Chum Charitable

FoundationJanet McCrimmonMargaret Wood EstateJordan RossRoyal Bank of CanadaTimothy Eaton Memorial

ChurchAmanda and Scott

Sinclair

Ministry of Children, Community and Social ServicesCity of TorontoPublic Health Agency of CanadaHuman Resources Development CanadaUnited Way Greater Toronto

$500 TO $999

East Sakhi MandalLauren Dade SSQ, Life Insurance

Company Inc

$200 TO $499

Noel Choi-Man SouTracy Hsu Indira Krunic Macklin Public SchoolNancy SchmidtJolly Yang

UP TO $199

Robert Bentley Rita Bode Michael Bowman Nicole Burke Mark BursteinDonna ChowDon DeatheJ.T. Graphic Productions

Inc.William LumsdenFabio MichelucciMohamed PanjuJason PilzRosemary Purwins

Ross RidoutGiselle Romanino Steven and Rodeen Stein

FUNDERS

Boys and Girls Club of East ScarboroughCatholic Crosscultural ServicesYWCA TorontoMalvern Family Resource Centre

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STAFF CELEBRATING SERVICE MILESTONES IN 2019

30 YEARS Vicki Barsh – Child and Family Therapist

Kim Surchin – Child and Family Therapist

25 YEARSMarie Burke – Technical Support Worker

Nicole Burke – Child Care Consultation

Michael Mayers – Child Therapist - 2 Residence

20 YEARSGhenet Andikiel – Family Home Visitor

Darshan Bansal – Family Home Visitor

Susan Berati – Family Home Visitor

Sandy Cheng – Speech - Language Pathologist

Jean Kim – Manager, Early Abilities

Eva Leung – Family Home Visitor

Mary Ann Lyew – Manager, Finance

Marta Palamoudian Alas – Family Home Visitor

Selvanithy Sathiaruban – Family Home Visitor

Darcy Souliere – Child Care Consultation

15 YEARSShirley George – Receptionist

Bebe Limeback – Family Support Coach

Nicole Livingstone – Child Care Consultation

Sherry Ryan – Child and Family Therapist

10 YEARS Linda Anane – Residential Night Worker

Jennifer Brans – Supervisor, TPAS

Amuthini Ham – Intake Worker - Autism Services

Sheena Karim – Intake Worker - Autism Services

Nicole Mcewen – Intake Worker - Autism Services

Linda Roy – Child and Family Therapist

Deepa Singh – Child Care Consultation

5 YEARSSevda Bahtiyar Akilli – Child and Family Therapist

Ashleigh Blower – Intensive Behaviour Therapist

Jessica Doyle – Intensive Behaviour Therapist

Claudia Jeyagnanam – ABA Therapist

Nejla Moghtaderi – ABA Therapist

Jashvinder Sarna – Child Therapist - 1 Residence

Jillian Schroor – Child Therapist - 1 Residence

Kristina Villacorta – ABA Therapist

The work we do for people in our community would not be possible without the

dedication of our staff and volunteers. A special thank you to those celebrating

service milestones this year.

FABIO MICHELUCCI DONOR

“Aisling Discoveries granted me the opportunity to work for them as a human resources student in order to gain co-op experience while I was attending Humber College. And even after I finished my co-op experience, they hired me on as a part-time Human Resources Assistant. I am forever grateful to Aisling Discoveries and I will never forget the people I met while working there.”

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FINANCIALS

REVENUES

EXPENSES

TOTAL 2019 TOTAL 2018

TOTAL 2019 TOTAL 2018

$9,815,606

$3,064,771

$824,680

$286,395

$3,608,301

$141,310

$119,750

$8 1,355

$17,942,168

$9,751,509

$2,814,820

$820,515

$297,058

$2,212,037

$90,873

$91,836

$27,113

$16,105,761

$12,523,136

$2,418,608

$226,007

$2,198,156

$421,700

$17,787,607

$11,208,856

$2,214,343

$195,440

$1,990,446

$446,018

$16,055,103

$462,679

($413,198)

($50,835)

$17,786,253

$407,885

($358,028)

($50,834)

$16,054,126

$155,915 $51,635

Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services

City of Toronto

Public Health Agency of Canada

United Way

Project grants and contracts

Donations and fundraising

Other income

Investment Income

Salaries and wages

Employee benefits

Transportation and communication

Services

Supplies and equipment

Depreciation and amortization of property and equipment

Amortization of deferred capital contributions

Amortization of lease inducements

EXCESS of revenues over expenditures

SUMMARIZED STATEMENT OF REVENUES AND EXPENSES YEAR ENDED MARCH 31, 2019

FUNDING BY PROGRAM AREA

34% Children’s Mental Health

24% Early Intervention & Community Support

42% Autism

325 Milner Avenue, Suite 110 Scarborough, ON Canada M1B 5N1

Tel: 416.321.5464 Fax: 416.321.1510 email@aislingdiscoveries.ca aislingdiscoveries.ca

MEMBER OF

Aisling Discoveries is a registered charity. Charitable Business Number: #87040 9489 RR0001

© 2019 Aisling Discoveries Child and Family Centre

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