Leading and Learning: Collaboration in rehabilitation services in Ontario schools
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Authors
Shannon, Karen
Date
Type
thesis
Language
eng
Keyword
rehabilitation services , leaders , education , health , collaboration , Rehabilitation Science
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Abstract
This dissertation explores how Ontario's leaders in education, health and the community envision effective collaboration in rehabilitation services in schools. First, superintendents of special education from 15 District School Boards (DSBs), directors/managers of 14 Children’s Treatment Centres (CTCs) and seven Special Education Advisory Committees (SEAC) representatives participated in seven like-role focus groups. Subsequently, a mixed role focus group comprised of representatives of the seven previous groups validated the findings derived through thematic analysis. Findings indicated there was no common understanding of the purpose and mandate of the school-based rehabilitation program which hampered work of leaders from rehabilitation and education as partners in co-serving children with or at risk of disabilities and their families. Furthermore, findings suggested that effective collaboration should be an intentional and relational process that enables partners to work together as equals, assume a learning stance, align a shared vision, include parents as partners and be child/family focused, and close communication gaps. Skills and qualities of leaders important to effective collaboration were identified as well as the beliefs of belonging, inclusion and the primacy of needs of child and family. Education, health, and community leaders identified their desire for change in policies governing rehabilitation services, the need for provincial guidelines and standards for services as well as knowledge building to support evidence-based service delivery models.
Following the qualitative study, I developed a briefing note for policy and program decisionmakers in the provincial government. Subsequent presentations to government leaders positioned the findings within aims of the ministries responsible for rehabilitation services in schools. The article,
“Building Back Better, Together,” presented findings relevant to education leaders on the collaboration of DSBs and CTCs during the COVID-19 pandemic to support children with rehabilitation needs, highlighting the urgency of working with CTC partners to reduce growing waitlists for services. The practice-oriented implications of this dissertation pertain to leaders creating a shared vision for services with all partners and aligning policy and services in accordance with this vision. Implications for research include exploring how leaders define shared responsibility in rehabilitation services in schools to clarify expectations and roles of partners.
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ProQuest PhD and Master's Theses International Dissemination Agreement
Intellectual Property Guidelines at Queen's University
Copying and Preserving Your Thesis
This publication is made available by the authority of the copyright owner solely for the purpose of private study and research and may not be copied or reproduced except as permitted by the copyright laws without written authority from the copyright owner.