Devastating impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic have required collective action to support the health of children, youth, and families. The Peel Family Support Network (PFSN) mobilized in response to the negative impacts of COVID-19 on the overall well-being of families, paying particular attention to vulnerable communities. PFSN members from 24 community organizations working alongside families in Peel created a virtual portal that has become a central access point for families to get resources on topics such as: mental health, family stress and violence, suicide, systemic discrimination, physical activity, healthy eating, technology and screens, learning disabilities, social isolation, grief, and loss.
The aim of this project is to develop and conduct a community needs assessment to understand what caregivers, parents and families will need during the COVID-19 recovery stages and provide valuable insight to help update the current COVID-19 Parenting through the Pandemic Portal.
The project is being conducted through a community-based participatory research (CBPR) approach in partnership with members of the PFSN. A Community Advisory Board (CAB) has been convened and includes youth, caregivers/parents, service providers, and researchers in Peel that are guiding the project. A document review will be conducted to inform the development of guiding questions for the needs assessment and to understand the current context of Peel throughout the pandemic. Co-design workshop sessions with CAB members will inform the project scope, research question and establish recruitment, data collection methods, and analysis for the needs assessment.
Family programming is often designed by service providers, positioning families as passive service users. This needs assessment will centre the voice of children, youth, caregivers, parents, and families in Peel who identify from diverse communities in the design of resources and services for the virtual family support portal and across sectors in Peel.
PARTNERSHIPS: Afghan Women’s Organization, Boys and Girls Club of Peel, Bridgeway Family Centre, Caledon/Dufferin Victim Services, Catholic Family Services Peel Dufferin, Dixie Bloor Neighbourhood Centre, Earnscliffe Senior Public School, EveryMind, Family Education Centre, Family Life Resource Centre, Family Services of Peel, Free For All Foundation, Heart House Hospice, Hope 24/7, Indus Community Services, Learning Disabilities Association of Peel Region, Our Place Peel, Peel Newcomer Strategy Group, Punjabi Community Health Services, Region of Peel, Roots Community Services, Polycultural Immigrant and Community Services, Seva Food Bank, Town of Caledon, Vita Centre
FUNDERS: Region of Peel