A Model of Support
Partnering for Change is the name of both a new model for delivering integrated rehabilitation services for children with special needs and the program of research that has evaluated the development, implementation and evaluation of the Partnering for Change service model.
The Partnering for Change model is often referred to by its acronym P4C which reflects both the partnership and the principles of the model.
Partnering for Change was initially developed as a model of support for children with Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) because they were the largest group of children in Ontario who were on waitlists for School Health Support Services. Although this was the population of children first studied, the P4C model of service delivery has been shown to be of value for children with many diverse needs.
The P4C model describes the type of rehabilitation services that are delivered in schools to support students who struggle with everyday activities such as printing, cutting, dressing for recess, managing lunch items and knapsacks, and participating in physical education, daily fitness and playground activities. These students require additional support to participate successfully at school, at home, and in the community.
Partnering for Change Goals
The goals of Partnering for Change are to:
- Increase early identification of students with special needs
- Build capacity of educators and families to understand and manage children’s needs
- Prevent secondary consequences and facilitate self and family management
- Improve children’s ability to participate successfully in school and at home