Terms of Reference

Collaborative Problem Solving

Ottawa Community of Practice

Mandate

The CoP is dedicated to sustaining, supporting and enhancing knowledge of the Collaborative Problem Solving model. It creates a forum for sharing and testing ideas or validating courses of action related to the CPS approach.  It is through the process of sharing information and experiences with the group that the members learn from each other, and have an opportunity to develop themselves professionally. The CoP is not a clinical supervision rather it is case specific presentations relating to the application of the CPS model.

Objectives

  1. Create a forum conducive to learning the CPS model
  2. Increase local knowledge of CPS
  3. Support community implementation of the CPS model
  4. Develop local training capacity
  5. Increase members’ confidence and knowledge of CPS
  6. Foster a sense of professional commitment and enhance knowledge through the use of peer reviews
  7. Provide recommendations, coaching and support for the implementation and use of the CPS model

Membership

The community of practice is comprised of individuals working within the mental health, education, youth justice and child protection sectors. These individuals have acquired various level of training ranging from introductory to advance courses.  The CoP meetings are chaired by coaches (individuals that have completed the Level 2 training and the required supervision).  The chair will alternate based on a rotation scheduled established yearly.  The chair will be responsible to ensure above mentioned presentation process is respected.

The CoP may seek to establish time limited task groups to assist with specific strategic goals as needed.  The CoP will meet weekly based on a developed yearly schedule and alternate between English and French meetings(3/1).

Membership

  1. Members of the CoP are included on the distribution list and consents, as well as allotted scheduled case presentation times. The presentations/role play schedule is developed yearly however, can be modified to include new members.

Non-members of the CoP are welcome to attend, as observers however are not allotted any presentation times and must ensure the proper consents have been signed.

Roles

Coaches:  individuals having completed the Level 1, Level 2 training and over a year of supervision (also part of the contributing agencies).   The coaches are the only ones to provide feedback and direction regarding the utilization of the CPS model for the cases presented.  *The CoP will only have limited  coaches (8-10) at any given time and where possible will reflect  agency membership.  See Appendix A for list of current coaches.

Presenters:   The presenters are charged with completing the supervision template, forwarding it to Coordinated Access for group distribution and present the information at the CoP.  The presenters can also choose to do a role play or present a video in order to augment the learning opportunity.

Participants:  all who are in attendance can ask questions of clarification pertaining to the cases being presented however are not to provide feedback.

Presentation Format and Process

CPS-CoP Consultation meetings will be held every Tuesday morning. Each consultation meeting includes case presentations brought forward by member agencies.  An annual schedule is developed in order to ensure a fair distribution of presentation times.  Agencies scheduled to present send their agenda items/case presentations or notification that they don’t have cases to Coordinated Access the Thursday morning preceding the scheduled consult.   The completed templates/agenda are then emailed to the larger group for review. When there is availability, a notification is sent to all contributing agencies.  At that point, they are invited and encouraged to submit the cases, role plays or agenda items they wish to discuss for that meeting.

Succession Planning

The current coaches are responsible to identify their replacement if possible they should be from their respective agency.  In order to become a replacement coach the individual will need to have completed the Level 2 training and have consistently attended the CoP meetings for a year following that training. Consistent attendance is 80% of all meetings.

 

Appendix A

  1. Jennifer Boggett, Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario
  2. Francine Gravelle, Youth Services Bureau
  3. Michael Hone, Crossroads Children Centre
  4. Natasha Tatartcheff-Quesnel, Ottawa Children’s Coordinated Access
  5. Caroline Vinette-Arseneau, Ottawa Children’s Coordinated Access
  6. Ian Wiseberg, Crossroads Children Centre
  7. Cathy Lonergan, Ottawa Children’s Coordinated Access
  8. Anik Thibaudeau, Roberts/Smart Centre
  9. Mike Black, You Turn
  10. Jen Perry, You Turn