CP Scoop - March 27th, 2024

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PROVINCIAL NEWS

Building a Better Ontario - 2024 Budget delivering on plan to rebuild Ontario’s economy

Minister of Finance Peter Bethlenfalvy released the 2024 Budget: Building a Better Ontario. Like the rest of the world, Ontario continues to face economic uncertainty due to high interest rates and global instability.

These challenges are putting pressure on Ontario families and their finances, as well as on the province’s finances. Despite these challenges, Ontario is continuing to deliver on its Plan to Build by investing in infrastructure to get more homes built faster, attracting better jobs with bigger paycheques, keeping costs down for families and businesses, and retaining a path to balance.

 

OTHER NEWS

Carleton Place Tourism - Voting Ends Tomorrow for the Final Four (4) Contest of March Madness of Small Towns

If you haven’t voted in the final four (4) bracket of the March Madness of Small Towns, please vote for Carleton Place! You have until the end of the day tomorrow!

We love all the small towns in our region, but it’s time for Carleton Place and the community to get some well-deserved recognition. Share your pride for our small town and vote today by visiting the Chez 106 website: https://contests.chez106.com/p/973666. 

If we make it past this round and surpass Pakenham, we’ll change it up this year! Carleton Place Tourism would like to thank everyone who’s voted so far, but please, continue voting and help spread the word! 

Changes at Language Express Preschool Speech and Language Program

The Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services (MCCSS) released new guidelines for Preschool Speech and Language programs and School-Based Rehabilitation Services (SBRS) in August 2023. The guidelines state that PSL services must end at school start and that there should be a smooth and seamless transition to school board and SBRS services. The guidelines also emphasize “Tier 1” services and inclusive and culturally responsive services.

The following changes to Language Express services will come into effect over the next several months:

• September 1st, 2024, will be the last date to refer children starting JK (born in 2020).
• Current clients born in 2019 or 2020 will be discharged in spring/summer 2024 and referred to the school board and/or SBRS services as appropriate. Language Express Speech-Language Pathologists will be available to consult with school-based providers in September/October in order to ensure a smooth transition.

Language Express is working hard to ensure that children born in 2019 or 2020 who are still on a waiting list receive an assessment before September, but assessments will still be provided after September 1st to anyone already on the waiting list.

It makes sense for children attending Kindergarten to receive their speech and language services at school, and it makes sense for Language Express to focus on early intervention. Language Express services focus on building parents’ knowledge and skills. Early identification of speech, language, and hearing concerns is more important than ever right now, as we see increasing evidence that the pandemic has put many young children at higher risk for problems with communication development.

Tier 1 services are services that are available to the general public and to families on the Language Express waiting list. They include information about speech and language development and tips and strategies that parents and caregivers can use to help their children develop communication skills.  Explore some new resources on the website at www.language-express.ca.

Take the time to check that the babies, toddlers, and preschoolers in your life are on track for communication success by completing the Language Express Communication Checkup on our website. The Communication Checkup screens for speech, language, and global development every 6 months from birth to 4 years of age.  Parents can make a referral to Language Express online after completing the checkup or can call the office to make a referral or ask questions at 1-888-503-8885.

Language Express provides speech and language assessment and therapy services for young children in Lanark, Leeds, and Grenville counties from birth until the start of school. Services are free of charge.

Community Connections – Ottawa Valley Family Health Team March Newsletter

Welcome to Ottawa Valley Family Health Team’s first issue of Community Connections!

Our community has had an exciting buzz around the opening of the Carleton Place Regional Health Hub - our second Ottawa Valley Family Health Team location in Carleton Place/Beckwith. This news has also prompted questions about the future of our Almonte location.

The good news: The Ottawa Valley Family Health Team's Almonte location is staying put.

The excellent news: We received Ministry of Health approval and funding to expand the Ottawa Valley Family Health Team to a second location in Carleton Place/Beckwith.

With our expansion, we’re bringing together the 15 family physicians in Carleton Place and Beckwith in our new home in the Carleton Place Regional Health Hub by late 2024. The additional funding allows the Ottawa Valley Family Health Team to grow its programs and services to support the physicians’ patients and any community member in the expanded catchment area.

I’m pleased to launch our Community Connections newsletter to update you on our program expansions, growing partnerships, and the incredible progress of the Health Hub construction.

Read the full newsletter in your browser.

Please Note: This email is not regularly monitored. Email: acharania@carletonplace.ca. Federal, Provincial, and Other news items are provided impartially, as a convenience and as a means of sharing information from higher levels of government and partner organizations.