Category Archives: Uncategorized
Get to know the CISS Team!
Name: Pina Giovannitti, RECE, BA Psych, BST
Position: Behaviour Consultant
The Behaviour Consultant Supports the inclusion of children with special needs by observing, consulting, training and developing effective behaviour strategies to be implemented in licensed child care programs. Using a team approach, the Behaviour Consultant supports the Resource Consultant with their CISS caseload and manages a caseload through the Positive Outcome Program (POP). POP is a behaviour program for children who are not eligible for CISS. Continue reading
Changing Times
Spring was a time of new beginnings for the CISS team. A change in the program name to Children’s Inclusion Support Services and a new manager were among the changes for this busy team.
As the new CISS manager, I would like to briefly introduce myself and to extend a thank you for the warm welcome along with an invitation to contact me with any questions, concerns or suggestions about our program. Continue reading
In Conversation with Moira D’Aoust
Moira D’Aoust has spent her career leading the cause for inclusive access to licensed childcare for children with special needs in the region of Ottawa. Moira’s authentic belief that all children belong in and have the right to quality childcare has positioned her to be a leader not only in the city of Ottawa but as a visionary throughout the province of Ontario. As she prepares to leave Children’s Integration Support Services (CISS), she met with some of her colleagues over a pot of tea and baked goodies to highlight stories of her journey’s challenges and successes as well as her dreams for the future.
Q. Before CISS started 25 years ago, what supports and programs were available for parents in the community? Continue reading
A Leading Force of Inclusion
In 1991 when Children’s Integration Support Services was formed, a unique role was created to support licensed child care programs with the integration of children with special needs. That role was then known as Integration Advisor.
The Integration Advisor’s primary role was to demonstrate to programs that a child is a child first, and that a child with a special need can integrate well into a community program when there is a strong partnership between the family, program, and community partners. Today Integration Advisors are known in the community as Resource Consultants. Continue reading
