July 10, 2018
Welcome to E-Connect
Happy Tuesday!

Today's first July edition of E-Connect is short and sweet. Continue reading to hear about a class act event, a visible move toward inclusivity, and important work on improving mental healthcare.

Take care,
Maciah
Our Patients
Move over Hollywood! Toldo's Got Talent
Hollywood moved to the Brown Auditorium on the afternoon of Wednesday, June 27th as Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare staff and patients hosted our first annual ‘Toldo’s Got Talent.’

More than 10 brave patients of our Toldo Neurobehavioural Institute took to the stage in front of an enthusiastic crowd, performing their individual talent. From singing, poetry, to displays of their own personal arts and crafts, patients shared their talent with their fellow friends, staff, and four judges.
 
Although Simon Cowell could not be found among this year’s judges, lining the back table were peer judge “Jim”, Director of Mental Health and Addictions, Patrick Kolowicz, Dr.Sean Prabhu, and Interim Operational Manager of TNI Allied health, PGS, NBCOT, RBN, OTN, Stephanie Heredi.
 
The idea to host “Toldo’s Got Talent” came from Karline Robinson, a student of therapeutic recreation from Georgian College. As part of her placement at Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare, Karline had the option to do a research project or special event. She thought a talent competition would be a good way for her patients to explore and look deeper within themselves.
 
"Not only would a talent competition allow for inner reflection but it would also be a safe and positive environment to promote talent and community amongst peers. It’s been such a pleasure to see each patient explore their gift," she said.
 
‘Toldo’s Got Talent’ did just that. Each performance was met with claps, cheers and even the occasional high five.
 
One patient even started her performance of “Build Me Up Buttercup” by saying, “So glad to see many familiar faces that came to watch me perform!”
 
After a long and hard deliberation, the top three talents chosen were a guitar performance of “When life is hard, you have to change” by Blind Melon, words of poetry written so eloquently by Leonard and a display of special arts and crafts including a cabin made from Popsicle sticks.
 
The TNI Recreation Therapy staff would like to thank the departments and staff that assisted with the talent show. From set up, multimedia assistance, and dietary at Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare, you all came together to help make this event a success!
Our People
Enhancing French Language Services at
Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare
A group committed to improving the overall health of our community, Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare's Mission Achievement Team develops and implements our Corporate Mission Strategy.

An important part of our Mission Achievement Team is promoting an organization that is welcoming and inclusive of all through the work of its Sub-Committees such as the French Language Services Advisory Sub-Committee.

The French Language Services Advisory Sub-Committee at Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare is comprised of an eager group of staff and volunteer Francophone community members who work together to ensure we are meeting our obligations as a healthcare provider under the French Language Services Act and to advocate for the “active offer” of French Language Services for all those who may request it at our organization.

As a way for our patients, clients, families and visitors to easily identify staff members who speak French, our Erie St. Clair Local Health Integration Network (ESC LHIN) has provided Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare with buttons and lanyards that read "Je parle français".

Beginning last week, staff members that speak French have begun wearing these buttons and lanyards as an important step of being a welcoming organization while creating a positive experience for our French-speaking community.
Our Identity
Community leaders continue work to improve mental healthcare in Windsor-Essex
After hosting two successful Mental Health Roundtables, Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare and community partners shared some key recommendations and next steps on the morning of June 27th. 

The roundtables brought together more than 50 community leaders and mental health service providers in June and November of last year with the goal of helping to identify service improvements between organizations for those experiencing mental health and addictions related issues. 

From those two meetings a document of action items was completed to explore ideas for change.

At their most recent meeting, the group shared recommendations to move forward in establishing a Youth Hub in the downtown core that would serve ages 12-25, be fully integrated and respond to the reoccurring issue of youth not knowing where to go to seek services.
 
Rob Moroz, Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare and Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Integrated Director of Community Mental Health Services provided an update on downtown’s Transitional Stability Centre and January’s change that saw CMHA staff joining the program as part of Coordinated Access. He shared that the team has seen an increase in walk-ins to the program with clients saying they are aware where to go to seek mental health services.
 
Three members from the City of Windsor's Street Outreach Team shared success stories on their interactions and help provided to our area’s homeless population saying that building trust is key for this team and success of the program. 

Work will continue as part of the roundtable as we continue to address the needs of those in our community who are most vulnerable and create a connected system that meets the needs of those experiencing mental health and/or addictions issues.
A special commemoration at Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare
A beautiful 30,000 square foot healing garden lays in the heart of our campus at Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare. The Tregaskiss Family Healing Garden creates a wonderful place for patients and their families to visit while spending time at our organization with its several vignettes connected by pathways, enhanced with benches, a gazebo, trees, bushes, and flowers.

To enhance this space even further, work has begun to expand the garden, creating a conservatory and even more beauty. The expansion, made possible with help from Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare partner Transition to Betterness, will be named the Dr. Lisa Ventrell a-Lucente Memorial Garden.
 
As work continues to expand the garden into a serene oasis, we welcome you to be a part of it.

The time is right to honour someone special in your life by purchasing an engraved paving stone that will leave a lasting legacy at Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare. The 8x8 inch stones can be engraved with a name or message for just $100.
 
What's more, your special commemoration will assist in purchasing essential equipment for the programs and services offered at Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare.