Blog
SAFE Training Gives Us New Tools for Evaluating and Supporting Parent-Therapists
Two Quinte Children’s Homes (QCH) staff members recently participated in specialized training that has provided them with new tools for evaluating and training potential foster parents. The practice of conducting the “Structured Assessment Family Evaluation” (SAFE) has previously been used by Children’s Aid Societies, but was only recently opened up to the private sector. “This was an excellent opportunity to further develop my skills in the area of home opening and training,” says Cathy Fequet, QCH program supervisor. “At QCH,...
read moreApplewood Academy Helps Students Find Their Love of Education
Applewood Academy for Progressive Learning (AAPL) isn’t your typical school. It’s a carefully designed therapeutic school environment, offering essential support for students who require individualized academic solutions. You won’t see a classroom of 30 students. AAPL is where small groups of children benefit from the support and close attention of caring, knowledgeable staff members. “Applewood Academy has seen many successes over the years by meeting our goals of supporting and teaching our students,” says Program Coordinator...
read moreOur Staff Makes the Difference
Quinte Children’s Homes (QCH) wouldn’t be where we are today without the skills and efforts of committed staff members – compassionate people like Jillian Carnrike, a counsellor/therapist and program supervisor. As a counsellor/therapist, Carnrike provides therapeutic interventions aimed at developing the skills of our QCH kids. In her second role as program supervisor, Carnrike oversees parent-therapist homes, ensuring that children are happy and receiving all needed aspects of care. She’s also there for parent-therapists,...
read moreQCH Kids Are Making Big Plans With The Help of Extended Care and Maintenance Agreements
Young wards of the Province of Ontario can now receive financial and emotional supports up to the age of 21 through the Extended Care and Maintenance (ECM) program. The program provides youth in care with valuable opportunities to complete secondary and postsecondary education, receive job training, access clinical interventions and learn important life skills. Quinte Children’s Homes believes there are many benefits to having a child remain on an ECM agreement. “The recent attention to the importance of ECM for youth in care is long...
read moreApplewood Academy Leaves No Child Behind: Michelle’s Story
The staff at Applewood Academy for Progressive Learning (AAPL) believes that no child should be left behind. It’s a special place where each and every child, regardless of individual challenges, can find the support he or she needs to thrive and succeed. Nobody knows this better than Susan Hall. Her daughter, Michelle, is autistic and extremely sensitive to environmental stimulation. She speaks only through her iPad using Locabulary, a communication app. “We are very pleased with the efforts the school has made to help Michelle not only...
read moreQCH Residents are Stepping Their Way to Success
A unique incentive program at Quinte Children’s Homes (QCH) is encouraging residents to achieve their personal goals while learning good citizenship at the same time. All of QCH’s clients – children and youth from six to 17 years old – are participating in “Steps to Success,” an engaging initiative that motivates kids to take positive actions while thinking about the needs of others. “Every child at QCH has a plan of care with a number of goals in various areas,” says Terry Stevenson, Executive Director of Stevenson,...
read moreWe’re Recruiting at College Job Fairs in Oshawa and Belleville
Staff from Stevenson, Waplak & Associates (SWA), Quinte Children’s Homes (QCH) and Applewood Academy for Progressive Learning (AAPL) will be attending two college job fairs this week to recruit professional parent therapists for children and youth in need of individual, home-based care. Visitors to the job fairs at Durham College in Oshawa and Loyalist College in Belleville can hear more about QCH’s competitive compensation package, foster parenting philosophy and requirements of parent therapists. While people might typically think...
read moreHow QCH makes transitioning from foster care easier – Daniel’s Story
Living in foster care from the age of six, Daniel moved around Ontario until the age of 14 — when he moved in with Adam, a parent therapist with Quinte Children’s Homes (QCH). Now a student at Carleton University in Ottawa, Daniel describes his move from care to being on his own as an easy transition. “I have a bit more freedom now, but it’s not that big a difference.” Freedom — confidence — is something that’s a key part of care with QCH, and for Daniel it made a difference. “Adam let me be me. Whatever that...
read moreSleep When You’re Dead? The Importance of Sleep
What do we know about the importance of sleep? “There will be plenty of time to sleep when you’re dead,” said Benjamin Franklin, inventor and one of America’s founding fathers. Of course, if you follow that logic too closely, you might die sooner. European researchers have found that people who sleep six hours or less each night were 12 percent more likely to die prematurely. Why does sleep matter so much? Getting six to eight hours of sleep isn’t just about getting ‘beauty sleep’ or staying awake during the day; experts know...
read moreFive Tips For Mental Well-Being In 2013
For some, the slower pace during the holidays is a chance to recover from stress, fatigue and physical exhaustion. For others, it’s a time to relax with family and friends, and to find personal time that can be hard to fit in at other times of the year. But what can you do when the holidays are over? Maintaining mental well-being on an ongoing basis begins with everyday habits. We recently reviewed a number of mental health smartphone apps that will give you some tools you can use. Here are five science-backed tips to incorporate into your...
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