Integrating health and social care for children in Canadian cities: co-designing interventions with families and communities

SMH - St. Michael's Hospital Medical Services Organization

Project Summary

Project Code

Project Title

Integrating health and social care for children in Canadian cities: co-designing interventions with families and communities

Proposal Abstract

One in five children in Canada lived in poverty before the COVID-19 pandemic and this number is projected to rise for at least the next five years.1 Paediatric care providers recognize the need to screen and intervene to improve social needs and their impact on health however there is no framework for an evidence-based model of care that enables healthcare providers to collaboratively engage with community-based social resources. Healthcare and social care often exist in silos, and access is proactive rather than preventative. A national group of child health experts aim to solve this issue. With support from the St. Michael Hospital Foundation, we have held two national meetings, written a commentary and are conducting a systematic review of literature for models of integrated care. We now aim to complete community asset mapping and co-design sessions with local communities to developing models that integrated health and social care. Ultimately, these models will better enable long-term child and family health and well-being.

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