Communication

Parents, caregivers, legal guardians are expected to:

• Be actively involved in the goal setting, planning and implementation of programs for their child and be willing to take on the primary responsibility for carrying out specific strategies with their child
• Offer feedback on the interventions used, giving information on their effectiveness and any areas of concern.
• Inform COCDA staff of illnesses, allergies, sensitivities, injuries or other information that ensures your child’s safety and the safety of others.
• Update any contact information (i.e. change of doctor, address, phone, etc.)

Parent Participation

You participate by:

• Communicating to COCDA staff your child’s interests, temperament, abilities and needs.
• Asking questions about any aspect of the service provided.
• Informing us of any changes you have seen in your child between visits
• Being present at the session when appropriate.

Never Alone Policy

When service is provided in the home, a parent or guardian over 19 years of age must be home in order for our service provider to proceed with therapy.  Under no circumstances do we allow service providers to be alone with a child.

Cancellations

You have the responsibility to advise your service provider if you are canceling an appointment.

• Please provide as much notice as possible if you are unable to keep or make an appointment.
• We understand that last minute cancellations are sometimes unavoidable.  When canceling an appointment with more than 24 hours notice, you may advise the staff directly or leave a message on his or her voice mail.  If less than 24 hours notice is provided, contact the Center directly so that the front desk receptionist is able to contact the staff in the community if necessary.

Due to Illness

You are responsible for notifying COCDA staff member(s) working with your child if you, your child or any other family member in your home has had recent exposure to or if they are experiencing symptoms of flu or other illness (e.g. measles, chicken pox, pink eye etc).    A decision to continue or reschedule the session or home visit will be made.  Our staff is in constant contact with other children and we do not wish to pass any illness to them.

COCDA staff members also have the responsibility to cancel an appointment if they are ill.

Missed Appointments

If a family misses three appointments without cancellation we assume they are no longer interested in our service.  A letter will be sent informing the family that their child will be discharged from that program and a new referral will be necessary to reactivate services.  If there is a waitlist for the program, the child will be placed on that wait list.  The new referral date will indicate placement on the waitlist and reentry to the program.

Program Equipment & Resources

Families are responsible for any equipment/material that is borrowed from the COCDA.  Any material borrowed from the Centre must be returned within the stated loan period in its original condition.  If material/equipment or other resources is damaged or lost, the borrower will be expected to cover replacement cost or a portion of the cost.  Each individual program will have their own resource materials for borrowing.

Individual programs will provide you with additional information regarding your role/responsibilities that may vary depending on the nature and delivery of the service.

The Team

Parents / Guardians are expected to be part of the support team.   Our therapists depend on parents to follow through with recommendations during the time between appointments.