It is with great excitement that Lansdowne Children's Centre shares news about evolving service delivery in Haldimand and Norfolk, specifically regarding our operations in Simcoe.
As of January 2023 Lansdowne will be in a new building in Simcoe, at 387 Cedar Street.
Unifying the occupational therapy, physiotherapy and speech & language therapy services currently offered at two sites on Colborne Street North in Simcoe, the new location will also introduce a space for social work and child & youth workers serving the region of Norfolk County.
The sites on Colborne Street in Simcoe were first opened in 2021, and included shared space with the EarlyON Child and Family Centre at 12 Colborne St. The spaces were a great first-step into delivering local services in Norfolk, but the available footprint - even with dual buildings located across the street from one another - quickly proved too small to meet the demand for service appointments, staffing and equipment needs.
Rita-Marie Hadley, executive director, is thrilled to see the teams amalgamating in one location, and praised the efforts of the team members involved in the effort.
"We are excited to bring our teams of dedicated staff together to improve communication, accessibility and service scheduling for our families. A great big shout-out to our colleague Pam Hilpert for helping us locate this more suitable premises befitting our role and needs."
Managers and teams are working on the details regarding the transition and communications to families for updating service appointment details. The priority is to coordinate a smooth transition that limits any service disruption and inconvenience for Lansdowne families, with an aim to be delivering services in the new space very soon.
In addition to bringing all Lansdowne service providers and supports together under one roof, the new location also provides a more accessible entry for clients. The Cedar Street location provides ground-level access and lots of available free-parking spaces in a paved lot. Families celebrated no longer having to park on the street, and navigate stairways.
Rick Rozak is a longtime member of the Norfolk community, and Chair of the Professional Advisory Committe on the Lansdowne Children's Centre Board of Directors. Participating in the early phases of the transition, Rick shared,
"You can sense the excitement of everyone as they go into the rooms... throwing ideas around as to what would make it work. It's that collaborative spirit which Lansdowne is so noted for...For Haldimand and Norfolk this is a big step."
The address for Lansdowne Children's Centre operations in Simcoe has been updated to the new location, 387 Cedar Street, as of January 9, 2023. Clients with appointments scheduled in Simcoe will confirm their appointment time and location with their service provider.