Community Outreach of Pediatrics and Psychiatry in Education, or COPE was established in September 1997.
Working directly with schools, families, and students, COPE provides pediatric and psychiatric consultations regarding developmental, behavioural, and/or mental health concerns identified by schools about their students. COPE provides an assessment to identify the issues impacting the student. The COPE physicians generate management recommendations for the teachers/schools, parents, and family physicians for students referred to COPE. The student is then connected with the resource to assist with those needs.
Physicians
Since the beginning, COPE has considered early intervention to be one of the critical factors that can help change the trajectory of students experiencing behavioral, emotional and or developmental difficulties. COPE has passionate and talented pediatricians and psychiatrists who travel into the community and schools to provide assessments and develop treatment plans for students that otherwise would not access early medical intervention.
Family Liaisons
COPE utilizes highly skilled family liaisons who are partnered with the physicians to provide support to the families before and after the assessment. The family liaison will support follow through of the recommendations that have been generated through the assessment process, along with input from the school and parents. A solid collaboration with school and parents is also critical to improve outcomes for these students.
COPE Provides:
Comprehensive pediatric and psychiatric assessments
Pharmacological therapy when indicated
Case management provided by the COPE family liaisons
Linkages to the next level of care and support – for example, connections to FSCD, various health clinics, or community resources as indicated
Family therapy