Helping children succeed today and for the future. Macaulay Child Development Centre Annual Report 2014 In 2014, we reached 7,014 children and youth, including 2,519 children with special needs Message from the President & Executive Director 2014 was another very As a multi-service agency, we are very aware of the diverse supports that families strong year may need to ensure every child’s optimal for Macaulay development and well-being. In 2014, several new initiatives were 3 years, parents will help parents introduced that strengthened our as they learn more effective ways delivery of comprehensive supports. of championing the needs of their children. Selected as one of 5 geographic Our Thanks service providers for Toronto Overall, more than 7,000 children Preschool Speech and Language and youth, their families and 2014 was a year of significant and Services, Macaulay will offer a full caregivers were served in strategic growth. We are very grateful to continuum of early identification, 2014. 35% of these children our staff whose energetic and creative treatment and parent education had a significant special need work enabled Macaulay to flourish; their services in Toronto’s Northwest or were considered at risk due positive impact on so many children and region. to environmental factors such families is the foundation of all of our as poverty and neighbourhood achievements. We also acknowledge the Our child care programs continued violence. These numbers speak tremendous dedication of our Board of to grow and stabilize in light of Full to our unique mission and to our Directors; their insight and leadership was Day Kindergarten. But more than success at reaching out to families a key factor in our successful year. that, our expansion enabled us to who are often under-served or introduce new quality assurance experiencing barriers that impact Our thanks go out to our government and measures as well as specialized their children’s development and private sector partners for their generous curriculum to promote children’s well-being. support and confidence in our work. We mental health. extend our deepest appreciation to our Thank you for your interest in our community partners who collaborated Macaulay parents have told us how work. We hope you will share our with us for the benefit of children and hard it is to access services for pride as you read through this families. their children with special needs. annual report and hear about our Following a pilot program, Macaulay achievements in 2014. obtained a Trillium grant to develop and deliver parent advocacy training programs. Over the next Audrey Amo Sharon Filger President Executive Director Macaulay Child Development Centre Annual Report 2014 2 When I think about Macaulay and the work that they do, “I think of moving forward, partnering with families, and making positive changes for children. — Dr. Deborah Goodman, MSW, PhD Director, Child Welfare Institute,” Children’s Aid Society of Toronto, Macaulay Lead Evaluator By the numbers: What we did 1,193 113 workshops agencies provided served 21 1,333 languages professionals spoken served 237 11,101 7,014 volunteers parents & caregivers children & youth & students served 15,263 165 2,519 volunteer & employees children with student hours special needs 4 By the numbers: Who we are To assist us in planning and delivering the right programs for our families, we conducted a demographic survey. 49% of families responded. 34% 23% 68% single parent family income adults born households of less than outside of $15,000/year Canada, from 102 Countries 29% 57% 35% families do not completed children had speak English college or a special need at home university 5 By the numbers: How we did 100% overall satisfaction with To ensure our work is effective, we Macaulay services asked adult clients to complete a satisfaction and outcome survey. 93% 56% of families using our 99% services in June responded. agree that “Macaulay is reported that their children helping my child succeed” had increased language and literacy skills 84% reported increased parenting 93% knowledge, skills and reported that their children confidence had improved social skills The purposeful attention to quality care and learning that “is at the heart of Macaulay’s services brings out the best in my kids: imagination, curiosity and confidence. — Jackie Kennedy, Jane Street Parent and Macaulay Board Member” For Children 2014 Program • Macaulay centres offered parent workshops and special Highlights information sessions to strengthen families and increase • Macaulay child care centres grew parent engagement. again in 2014 with new school- age and FDK before and after • Our home child care program and Early Learning and school programs. child care centres introduced new Child Care Centres ways to program plan that build serve children from 6 months to 12 • Focus on Mental Health: on each child’s developmental years at 6 locations. Our centres Macaulay centres introduced needs and interests. foster resiliency, confidence, and Reaching In Reaching Out, a well– enthusiasm for learning. researched approach to fostering children’s resiliency and their 2014 Partnership Licensed Home capacity to “bounce back”. Highlights Child Care • Inclusion of children with special We thank the Chartered Professional provides care in family settings to needs is a core feature of all Accountants of Canada volunteers over 400 children every day, from Macaulay child care programs. In for assisting at our annual Summer infancy to 12 years. Caregivers 2014, 33% of the children were at Olympics and the team of Deloitte are carefully selected and visited risk or had a special need. corporate volunteers who provided regularly to ensure they meet all enriched literacy experiences for government standards. children. Macaulay Child Development Centre Annual Report 2014 8 15% of children are unsupervised after school; these children are vulnerable to gangs, bullying and neighbourhood violence. Macaulay homework clubs are a direct response to this risk. They provide a free, safe and fun setting for children. For Children Homework Clubs 2014 Program 2014 Partnership in high-need communities provide Highlights Highlights a safe and secure environment to learn and increase social competence. School-age children • 56 youth participated in School partnerships are essential to also benefit from physical activities leadership development activities the effectiveness of our after school and nutrition education. and volunteered as mentors in our homework clubs. We thank the after school program. following schools: Brookhaven, H.J. Alexander, Portage, Keelesdale, Holy School Readiness • 233 children attended our after Child, Humberwood Downs. is an evidence-based program that school program at 4 locations; prepares preschool children for parents reported high satisfaction With the generous support of the a successful transition to school. with their children’s progress Children’s Book Bank, Macaulay Language, social and self-help in social skills, homework distributed more than 12,000 books skills are emphasized. Parents are completion and attitude towards to children in 2014. empowered to act as role models school. in transitioning their child to the Canadian school system. Youth Development offers at-risk youth the opportunity to develop confidence, learn new skills and create positive social networks. Macaulay Child Development Centre Annual Report 2014 10 Parent education staff establish a strong, supportive relationship “with their families at a time when the parents are really struggling. They see families through to success after success. It is inspiring to see our families work so hard and achieve their goals. — Lois Nuk, Program Supervisor ” For Families Specialized Thanks to a grant from an anonymous foundation, we parenting groups delivered special fathering groups in partnership with Ujima House, a In 2014, specialized programs were storefront community organization delivered to meet the distinct needs serving African-Canadian fathers. of various groups including: Macaulay offers First Arts was developed by a range of services • Caregiving grandmothers Macaulay to promote children’s that strengthen • Parents of children with special development through play-based needs art activities. Its unique exploration families and enhance • Children on waiting lists for of art and design elements fosters parenting skills, speech and language therapy children’s imagination along with knowledge and • Non-English speaking parents social, cognitive and fine motor • Pregnant and parenting teens skills. In 2014, a facilitator’s guide confidence. • Non-custodial fathers for the First Arts curriculum was They are: disseminated to 30 staff from 20 community organizations. • Early Years Centres (OEYC) and 2014 Partnership Family Resource Programs The second edition of the Including • Parent education workshops and Highlights Children with Special Needs Guide in-home support was produced in collaboration with Our Early Years Centres served • Early literacy workshops Community Living Toronto, the more than 8,000 young children, Special Needs Sub-Committee parents and caregivers, with of the Toronto Network of Ontario the support of our direct service Early Years Centres and Dr. Kathryn partners: Fairlawn Neighbourhood Underwood (Ryerson University). Centre, North York Community House, Yorktown Child and Family Centre and Unison Community Health Centre. Macaulay Child Development Centre Annual Report 2014 12 From our first conversations