Many children find everyday moments like heading back to class after recess or joining a group activity much harder than they might appear. These transitions can bring up strong emotional reactions, often linked to underlying stressors such as difficulties at home, experiences of bullying, past trauma, or neurodivergence.
For students facing complex challenges, schools and families often need to reach out for additional support in the community, which is where a new partnership between KCHC and the Limestone District School Board comes in.
Led through a new collaboration between the interdisciplinary primary care teams at Weller and Midtown, Teach Resilience and the Limestone District School Board, the Collaborative Care Initiative (CCI) is helping bridge gaps between health and education like never before. At the centre of this work is KCHC’s Pediatric Occupational Therapist, Amanda Hall, who works across both clinical settings and the school board to coordinate care and ensure students receive the wraparound support they need to thrive.
“We build goals together with families, teachers, and health providers, ensuring children receive support that addresses both school and home challenges. Every child’s plan is tailored, from behaviour and classroom strategies to individual health and family goals,” Amanda explains. “KCHC is helping in so many ways, including rostering children in need of primary care, providing access to wraparound support with our Allied Health Teams, and collaborating with other community agencies to enhance capacity when working with children and families who have higher needs for support.”
The Collaborative Care Initiative doesn’t stop at the school doors either. Programs like HIVE (Health Individuals, Vibrant Environments), now provides children in Grades 1–6 and their caregivers a safe, welcoming space to learn, play, and connect both after school and on the weekend at our Weller site and the Rideau Heights Community Centre. Each session features creative, screen-free activities, like STEM projects, arts and crafts, cooking, and workshops with local experts.
Lego Club, another extension of this work, uses a Lego Therapy framework to help children develop communication, social, and executive function skills. During March Break, children spent four mornings building Lego kits, practicing teamwork, and developing conflict resolution skills under the guidance of KCHC staff and volunteers. The program’s hands-on approach gives children opportunities to practice social skills in a supportive, structured environment while having fun.
“We want to engage kids and families in activities off-screen, highlight community resources, and provide connections where needed,” says Stephanie Wight, HIVE’s Program Coordinator. “The environment is welcoming, and families can build relationships, learn, and simply enjoy time together.”
Summer programming will continue this supportive, low-barrier engagement, including week-long LEGO sessions, a Home Alone course, and a child-friendly introduction to gardening. These programs provide consistent routines, skill-building opportunities, and community connections, supporting children to thrive outside the classroom while offering families guidance and support to navigate challenges at home.