Nipissing MPP Monique Smith
News Release
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North Bay - The McGuinty government is helping to consolidate and strengthen services for special needs children in Northeastern Ontario by making a further investment in the construction of a new children’s treatment centre in North Bay. The announcement was made today at the launch of the One Kids Place capital campaign by Nipissing MPP and Revenue Minister Monique Smith and Children and Youth Services Minister Deb Matthews.
The Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC) is providing $1 million to the One Kids Place Children’s Treatment Centre of North East Ontario, toward the construction of a new 42,000-square-foot multi-purpose facility. The centre has grown significantly over the past 2 years. One Kids Place has successfully recruited staff from out of country and out of province and is projected to create an additional 20 jobs over the next five years.
“This is yet another exciting day for One Kids Place! The location of this treatment centre in proximity to our new regional health centre currently under construction provides the ultimate setting from which to help young people with disabilities realize their potential,” said Nipissing MPP Monique Smith.
“Our government is committed to helping families whose children have special needs and to making services more accessible, better coordinated and more responsive to the needs of children, youth and their families,” said Children and Youth Services Minister Deb Matthews.
The new building will house treatment, observation and clinic rooms, a gymnasium clinic, family resource centre, classrooms, treatment offices and workstations. It will be home to medical specialists, therapists, medical students, counsellors, social workers, and educators that provide therapy and support services to children with physical, communication and development needs.
“We are thrilled to be officially underway and look forward to the completion of the new facility. It will truly be a dream come true for children, youth and families” said One Kids Place, Executive Director, Judy Sharpe.
One Kids Place is one of 21 children’s treatment centres in Ontario providing therapy and support services to children with physical, communication and developmental needs. The McGuinty government has previously committed more than $9 million to the project through the Ministry of Children and Youth Services which will also provide operational funding of $4.3 million to the centre.
“Modern treatment facilities and programs are essential to improving the quality of life of special needs children in Northern Ontario,” said Northern Development and Mines Minister Michael Gravelle.
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