Kids Come First includes over 60 organizations; youth and family partners; nearly 1,100 physicians; and many other individuals including children, youth, and families.
Inspired by the voices of children, youth, and families, this innovative team joined together to apply for a unique Ontario Health Team designation. The Ontario government’s Ontario Health Team application process led to the largest mobilization of child and youth health providers and families in the history of Eastern Ontario. The creation of the Kids Come First Health Team also marked a committed shift from engagement with kids and families to true partnership and co-design. Watch this video for a special message from Health Minister Christine Elliot. Today this unique and innovative Health Team continues to receive support from the Ontario Ministry of Health.
The Kids Come First Health Team knows that infants, children, and youth are not adults — their healthcare needs are totally different. They are still developing, they live with different illnesses, and experience mental health, addictions, and substance use health differently. They require a wider range of healthcare providers, have parents or guardians who co-manage their care, and attend daycare or school. For these reasons and more, we need to better connect health services for kids, making it easier and faster for them to access the care that they need.
The model for health care in Ontario will have everyone connected to an Ontario Health Team. While other Ontario Health Teams are focused on the lifespan Kids Come First is exclusively focused on children and youth and is thus referred to as a Health Team. Coming together as an innovative Health Team focused only on children and youth, our Kids Come First Health Team will enhance, not replace, other Ontario Health Teams by offering them pediatric expertise and working collaboratively with them to provide seamless care for children and youth.
For more information on how the Kids Come First Health Team came to be please read the complete Kids Come First Health Team application.