At OACRS we envision an Ontario in which ALL children have the best opportunity to achieve their full potential.
Ontario’s education system is strong and vital. Special education services are an important hallmark of our school curriculum.
OACRS welcomes the introduction of Full-Day Kindergarten in neighbourhood schools throughout the province.
By 2014/2015 an estimated 250,000 children will benefit from Early Learning programs. Some children will need extra and specialized services to succeed, to learn along with their peers and to achieve their full potential. During the implementation of this exciting new program, OACRS is urging the Government of Ontario to prevent and eliminate barriers to full participation for children in need of specialized supports.
In order to provide continuity of services for current clients of CTCs., to allow for early intervention and treatment of newly identified children, to encourage parental engagement and to build strong relationships with schools, we ask the government to plan for in-school, designated therapy staff providing physical , occupational and speech therapies to complement the learning environment.
Children’s Treatment Centres and schools can work collaboratively in every community to give children with special needs the skills for success.
It’s critical that the government understand how important it is for ALL children to be able to access this program. OACRS, together with its members are asking the government to invest 1% of the planned $1.5 billion Full-Day Kindergarten investment ($15 million annually). This investment can deliver effective transitions and better long term outcomes for some of Ontario’s most vulnerable children.
We're pleased to provide you with the ability to send a message directly to the Premier (Dalton McGuinty) and your MPP. Tell them you think that Every Kindergarten Kid Matters - and you think they should, too.