George Jeffrey Children’s Centre is a SmartStart Hub
A one-stop point of entry for families who have concerns about their child’s development and would like to explore available options and supports. As a SmartStart Hub we connect families with child development agencies and professionals in Thunder Bay and the District of Thunder Bay, providing seamless connections in a family-friendly environment.
Welcome to the SmartStart Hub
We recognize that each family’s life and experience is unique, and that families are experts on the abilities and needs of their child or youth. The SmartStart Hub focuses on the strengths of your child or youth and family in a friendly, supportive and culturally safe environment.
George Jeffrey Children’s Centre is one of 22 SmartStart Hubs across Ontario. Every SmartStart Hub is a clear point of entry to child development services.
There is no cost to access the SmartStart Hub for your community. Children are eligible from birth to age 19 (or 21 if they are in school) and live in Ontario.
No referral or diagnosis is necessary to access the SmartStart Hub. If you have concerns about your child or youth’s development for any reason, you can contact the SmartStart Hub directly or through another service provider in the community, your child’s doctor, care provider or school.
To book a consultation with our SmartStart Hub, please complete the Service Request Form on our Referrals page.
What to Expect
Our dedicated staff will have an exploratory conversation with you where they will complete the About My Child tool. This gives you an opportunity to share your child or youth’s strengths, needs and goals, while feeling welcomed and heard. The conversation can happen by phone, video conference, or in-person.
Contact the SmartStart Hub at George Jeffrey Children’s Centre
The process is simple; reach out and contact our SmartStart Hub worker via phone or email. We will continue to keep you informed if new information becomes available and any updates will be posted here.
Phone: 807-623-4381 ext 6994 or toll free in Northwestern Ontario at 1-888-818-7330 ext 6994
Resources
F-Words for Child Development
The F-words focus on six key areas of child development. Recognizing that no one factor is more important that another, they hope to encourage people to adopt this way of thinking about childhood disability and apply the concepts to children with disabilities and their families. It is a wholistic approach that encourages focus on the factors that are important to all children’s development, their participation, activities and environment.
| Functioning | Refers to what people do – how things are done is not what is important |
| Family | Represents the essential “environment” of all children and youth |
| Fitness | Refers to physical and mental wellbeing |
| Fun | Includes activities that people enjoy |
| Friends | Refers to the friendships established with others |
| Future | Is what life is all about |
Partners for Planning
The P4P Planning Network connects people with professionals, organizations and agencies across Ontario. It empowers people with disabilities and their families with free resources to create meaningful lives and secure futures, firmly rooted in community.
COVID-19 Resources
Read the latest information and resources on COVID-19 guidelines and recommendations for Clients and Caregivers.
Service Navigation
Service Navigation is a central point of contact for families waiting for assessment services for their children after being referred to the Centre.
News from OAP
Please see link below about Ontario Autism Program (OAP) Caregiver-Mediated services.
