Pathways to Resilience III: Beyond Nature vs. Nurture

Abstract #288
Evaluation of the Day Treatment Program: A Holistic Approach to Education and Intervention in the Early Years
Presenter: Angela Lenis Co - Presenter: Julie Gamboz  
Abstract:
The following report examines the outcomes of an early years intervention known as the Day Treatment Program. This program, located at Adventure Place, a children’s mental health agency in Toronto, Canada, serves children between the ages of 4 and 7 years, with moderate to severe needs. Children are treated by teachers and teacher-therapists, as well as a multi-disciplinary team, including social work, speech and language, psychological, and in-home support services. The agency employs a strength-based approach to intervention, focusing on family strengths to promote family engagement, increase child functioning, and overall family resiliency. Using a quantitative design, this evaluation investigated 8 key questions related to program goals. Findings suggest that the program is improving overall child and family functioning, particularly in the areas of children’s coping skills and caregiver advocacy and knowledge. These findings could help inform other community agencies on effective practices around treatment for children and families, as well as in completing successful evaluation projects in local community settings. This abstract is being submitted for a poster presentation.