Five Counties Children’s Centre Serves Record Number of Children and Youth in 2022/23

A total of 6,203 children/youth received speech, physio, and occupational therapies, as well as other treatment services, at Five Counties Children’s Centre in 2022/23. Based on geographical breakdown, roughly 3,100 kids and their families were served last year in the Peterborough region. Roughly 1,600 kids/youth were seen in Northumberland County, approximately 1,300 kids/ youth were served in the City of Kawartha Lakes, and over 230 clients were from Haliburton County.

The number of kids/clients served by Five Counties last year is the highest in the Centre’s nearly 50-year history and represents a 40% increase in the annual number of kids/ clients seen since 2018/2019, according to CEO Scott Pepin. “It’s a real testament to the hard work and dedication of our staff to provide life-changing services to our kids and families in many different ways and means, including through the use of technology and virtual visits,” he notes. “We’ve never slowed down, even through the pandemic.”

Other Key Statistics in 2022-23 Statistics for 2022/23 were shared at Five Counties’ annual meeting on Tuesday (June 20) and are also contained in its newly-released Annual Report 2022/23. Among other key highlights from the past year: There were nearly 55,000 total visits with kids and youth last year.

Nearly three-quarters of all children/youth seen by Five Counties are aged 5-12 years. Roughly one-quarter of kids seen are four years of age and younger. The remainder are age 13+.

Of children/youth seen, just over one-third require two or more services at Five Counties.

Besides serving kids and clients at its Centre sites in Peterborough, Lindsay, Cobourg, Campbellford and Minden, Five Counties staff also provided rehabilitation services to nearly 3,900 students in area schools last year. The vast majority of school-based rehab services were occupational and speech therapies provided to students.

Five Counties raised more than $600,000 to directly support treatment services for children/youth.

Pepin says that while wait times continue to be a challenge, Five Counties is working diligently to ensure families get the support they need. That was in evidence last year that even as referrals to Five Counties jumped by nearly 12%, the wait times for treatment services only rose by 3.3%.

“We are working to manage and reduce wait times, while ensuring families whose kids have severe needs get access to care as soon as possible,” he notes. “We also continue to advocate with other Children’s Treatment Centres in Ontario for additional resources to help clear backlogs.”

At the end of March 2023, there were approximately 2,600 children/youth waiting for services at Five Counties.

Former Client/Keynote Speaker Shares His Story

At Five Counties’ annual meeting held Tuesday, the organization thanked its outgoing Board of Directors Chairperson, Kristy Hook, for her three years at the helm. While Hook remains on the Board, Five Counties is saying good-bye to Adam White who is stepping down as a long-time Board of Director member and past Chair.

As keynote speaker at the annual meeting, White was

By Bill Eekhof

well-suited to make remarks. White has a long relationship with the Centre, having received treatment at Five Counties as a child and, later in life, serving as a program volunteer and board member.

“Growing up at Five Counties really meant that I had a place to come to where I felt very welcomed, where I felt a lot of joy, but on the other hand, I also felt like I was coming to a place where people had high expectations of me,” recalls White, in a short YouTube video speaking about his time at Five Counties. “Early on in my life, that gave me the sense that really I could do anything I put my mind to. My parents told me that and the staff at Five Counties told me that. When you take that atmosphere as the foundation for your life, you can’t help but benefit.”

Community High-Five Awards

Five Counties closed out its annual meeting with the presentation of its Community High-Five Awards for 2023. The awards recognize individuals and partner agencies who share Five Counties’ commitment to inclusion, education and respect for all children and youth.

In 2023, the following groups and individuals are receiving ‘high-fives’ from Five Counties for their work in the community:

Niijkiwendidaa Anishnaabekwewag Services Circle, including Angela Connors, Mishkick-hi Gih-tih-gone Quay, and Rianna.

Maddie Tucker, a Registered Early Childhood Educator who works as part of the Infant and Child Development Program in the City of Kawartha Lakes. The Squishy Goose in Cobourg, Children’s Services Manager Sandra Robinson, with the City of Peterborough – Children’s Services.

Krista Mathers, a Systems Navigator in Northumberland with the Therapeutic Family Care Program.

Dawn Hurd and the entire team at Point in Time Centre for Children, Youth and Parents in Haliburton County.

Lesley Banner, an Intensive Service Coordinator and Acting Executive Director for Service Coordination for Children and Youth in Northumberland County.

Teresa Dumas, a Registered Early Childhood Educator at Community Living in the City of Kawartha Lakes.