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CLINICAL SERVICES

We believe that the family is the best environment to promote warmth, nurturance, normalization, and structure. Our in-house Clinical Services department provides collaborative consultation, assessment, and support to Foster Children, Youth, and Young Adults in partnership with the caregivers and family unit. 

The clinical team works in partnership with Foster Families and Bridgeway Staff to deliver excellent quality care, services, and outcomes. Foster Parents, Children, Youth, and Young Adults benefit greatly from the delivery of direct services (such as the completion of assessments and reports, therapeutic interventions, and programs) and indirect services (such as professional consultations, presentations, and participation in pertinent agency meetings).

OUR CLINICAL TEAM:

1. COLLABORATES WITH FOSTER FAMILIES AND BRIDGEWAY STAFF through consultation, coaching, and training.

2. ASSESSES AND EVALUATES each individual's presenting needs and/or challenges through the use of case history, interview, observation, and valid assessment tools.

3. PROVIDES INDIVIDUAL OR GROUP SUPPORT SERVICES to assist in recovery from trauma symptoms and other anxiety-related issues and promote more effective personal coping, social-emotional development, and adjustment.

Relationships are the agents of change and the most powerful therapy is human love.

- Dr. Bruce D. Perry

CONSULTATIONS

Formal clinical consultation allows for an ongoing and collaborative review of the individual’s risks, strengths, needs, and functioning.

 

Consultation occurs through various individualized methods including:

  Foster Parent Training (formal/informal)

  Psycho-educational information sessions

  Parent Coaching

  Foster Home Supervisor Consultation

  Regional Manager Consultation

  Support Team Consultation

Young woman meeting with a clinical associate

ASSESSMENTS

AGES AND STAGES QUESTIONNAIRE
CHILD AND ADOLESCENT FUNCTIONING ASSESSMENT SCALE
DISSOCIATIVE EXPERIENCES SCALE & POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS INVENTORY
KUTCHER ADOLESCENT DEPRESSION SCALE
QUESTIONS ABOUT BEHAVIOURAL FUNCTION
TRAUMA

SUPPORT

Individualized clinical goals and support plans are developed in collaboration with the support team to meet identified and referral needs of the Foster Child/Youth/Adult.

 

Supports may include:

  Trauma symptom reduction (e.g. DDP)

  Coping and regulation skill development (e.g. mindfulness, relaxation, RMT)

  Grief support

Ontario youth are waiting for 3 months up to 2.5 years to receive mental health services.

(Children's Mental Health Ontario, 2020)

Bridgeway pairs children/youth with a clinician immediately upon placement.

Youth wearing headphones in an online video consultation

Support Professionals are needed across Ontario

Learn about becoming a Foster Parent

How we support our Foster Families

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