Keeping Our Community Safe
The safety and wellbeing of Kinark Child and Family Services’ clients and their families, staff, and volunteers, continues to be our top priority. Kinark monitors ministry guidance related to COVID-19, as well as other viruses that are circulating in our communities. We monitor the external environment on a regular basis in order to evaluate how changes may impact our clients, families, and employees.
Vaccination against COVID-19 continues to be one of the most effective public health measures available to protect people, communities, and our health services. Public health evidence has shown that that COVID-19 vaccines are very effective at preventing severe illness, hospitalization, and death.
We encourage everyone who is eligible to be vaccinated to get vaccinated. The COVID-19 vaccines approved by Health Canada have been proven safe to use and effective. Appointments are free to book and are available in your community. Click here to book your vaccination appointment through the provincial booking system.
Visiting a Kinark Site
Kinark follows the advice and guidance provided by Public Health Ontario (PHO), Ministry of Health and Long Term Care (MoHLTC), Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services (MCCSS) and Health Canada. Our careful and planful approach to re-opening in-person services at Kinark sites has positioned us to meet the needs of our clients and their families while also meeting all provincial requirements for infection prevention and control.
In-person appointments are available at Kinark sites.
Virtual options are provided for some services should they be requested.
When planning for your visit, please self-screen and monitor for symptoms of COVID-19. If you are not feeling well, please contact your local service team to reschedule your appointment.
IPAC Measures
At Kinark, our priority is to ensure we have an environment conducive for therapeutic relationships, as well as one that decreases the risk of exposure or transmission of COVID-19. We continue to use several important infection prevention and control (IPAC) practices that are outlined below.
Face masks
Masks are welcome at all Kinark sites.
While visiting, you will notice that all staff performing treatment and/or care directly to clients are required to wear surgical-grade masks. This is a requirement for our staff team as part of Kinark’s commitment to keeping our community safe.
Handwashing, cleaning, and disinfecting surfaces
Everyone who enters a Kinark location will be asked to disinfect their hands with available hand sanitizers. All products used meet Health Canada guidelines.
Every Kinark site currently has enhanced cleaning measures in addition to routine cleaning. High touch surfaces (i.e. door handles, counters, elevator buttons, light switches) are disinfected regularly, and any equipment or surfaces used during appointments will continue to be disinfected before and after each appointment.
Social distancing
When your child is at Kinark, we know there are times where your family may be in close proximity to Kinark staff. Where possible, staff, clients, families, and visitors are asked to maintain a safe distance of six feet from one another.
If you are unable to stay at least six feet apart from others during your time at Kinark, we recommend that masks are worn. Disposable masks are available at reception.
Syl Apps Youth Centre and Live-In Treatment Sites
Kinark’s Live-In Treatment sites, as well as Syl Apps Youth Centre, are classified as congregate living sites.
The safety and wellbeing of our clients, families, visitors, staff, and volunteers will always be our top priority. Kinark continues to follow local and provincial guidance related to COVID-19 as it relates to our congregate living sites.
At this time, visitors to all Kinark Live-In Treatment sites will be asked to self-screen and may be asked to wear a mask during their visit. Disposable masks will be provided as necessary.
These sites include:
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- Syl Apps Youth Centre
- Gorham Residential Program
- Grove Residential Program
- Lansdowne Residential Program
Additional IPAC measures are in place to ensure the safety of our community. Please connect with the local staff team if you have any questions.
Additional Resources
A fulsome list of resources pulled together by Kinark staff can be found here: Resources for Children, Youth, and Families During the Pandemic
For more information about COVID-19 vaccines, visit the Ontario government’s COVID-19 website
Locate your local public health unit using this link: phdapps.health.gov.on.ca/phulocator/
Websites with more information: