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What are tools and toolkit activities and how can you use them in your everyday life?
Tools are instruments (e.g. checklists, intake forms, policies and procedures) that can be incredibly helpful and serve as the foundation for creating toolkits.
Toolkits are a collection of resources that provide relevant information and clear guidance on a specific issue or topic by presenting it in an accessible and meaningful way.
While most toolkits are online resources, they sometimes contain tools designed for in-person use.
"I am both a caregiver and a Family Peer Mentor. I help build and support resilient caregivers by reminding our community that we need to learn how to surf and ride the waves." - Cindy H.
We've curated a collection of tools and toolkit activities addressing various topics and issues including: caregivers, children and youth, COVID-19, developmental disabilities, finances, homelessness, Indigenous peoples, mental health, social justice, suicide prevention and women.
Use and share these resources with your family, friends, colleagues and anyone else who might benefit from them.
Finances
| Monthly budget sheet |
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Use the simple monthly budget sheet to keep track of your monthly bills and expenses. Click on the link below to view, download or print: |
Food
| Fresh local food in York Region |
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The York Farm Fresh Multilingual App features the 36 Farms and 8 Farmers’ Markets listed in the York Farm Fresh Guide Map. In addition to the English version it is translated into 7 languages:
This app will increase the access to healthy, local, farm fresh food for 1.2 million residents of York Region and 5.9 million residents in the surrounding GTA . It is available for free download from the App Store for iOS and Google Play for android users. |
Homelessness
| Homelessness prevention program |
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The Homelessness Prevention Program (HPP) helps eligible York Region residents, who are homeless or at risk of homelessness not receiving Ontario Works or Ontario Disability Program benefits, to stabilize their housing. To help residents meet their emergency housing needs, York Region can help with costs such as first and last month’s rent, rental, mortgage and utility arrears, moving costs and more. Follow up support will be provided two weeks, one month, three months and six months after receiving benefits from this program. |
Mental Health
| Toolkit for e-mental health implementation |
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The Mental Health Commission of Canada (MHCC) is pleased to launch the Toolkit for e-Mental Health Implementation, a joint effort of the Centre for Research in Family Health, IWK Health Centre and the MHCC, in consultation with stakeholders. It is a resource for mental health professionals to implement e-mental health innovations, such as telehealth, mental health apps, messaging-based services, and any internet-based mental health technology in clinical practice. e-mental health services are an effective option to provide rapid access to mental health information and care. The toolkit is an important document to help overcome noted barriers in implementing successful e-health programs for mental health professionals and allied health workers. We invite you to download the Toolkit for e-Mental Health Implementation and share with your colleagues. |
| Resources for crisis |
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This compendium of resources from CMHA Ontario provides information and connections to supports for individuals and service providers. Areas of support include: national mental health supports, provincial mental health supports, COVID-19 resources, and online resources for mental health and social connection. |
| Recovery-oriented practice: an implementation toolkit |
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This implementation toolkit for the Guidelines for Recovery-Oriented Practice is the result of a Mental Health Commission of Canada (MHCC) initiative, supported through a partnership with Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences (Ontario Shores). This toolkit was created to help those who provide mental health and substance use services and supports adopt the Guidelines into their unique workplace contexts and practices. It gives practical examples of how the core recovery principles show up in organizations through policies, programs, and practices. This toolkit can be used by: • Senior executives (e.g., for scope of governance) • Practitioners and clinicians (e.g., for client- and family-centred care, professional development) • People with lived or living experience of mental health problems or illnesses and/or substance use and their families (e.g., for co-production, peer support, advocacy) • Educators (e.g., for training, skills development, evaluation) • Systems leaders (e.g., for system transformation, system partnerships) • Managers (e.g., for leading practices, performance coaching) • Decision makers (e.g., for resource allocation, funding) Download the recovery-oriented practice: an implementation toolkit |
| Trauma-informed care resources guide |
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Whether trauma is caused by a single event such as a natural disaster, or by repeated or prolonged exposure to abuse, an individual’s thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are filtered through their experience and perspective. Increasing your awareness about the trauma a person has experienced and the impact it has on them can help you when they become anxious or disruptive. As you sharpen your understanding of their experience, your relationship will strengthen, and that rapport can make your interventions more successful. When you have the trust of someone who exhibits challenging behavior, you know how to reach them, how to communicate with them, and what will help them calm down. This guide will give you: • Deeper awareness about key trauma-related concepts • A greater understanding of trauma’s effects on behavior • 7 tips for preventing re-traumatization • A helpful De-Escalation Preferences Form • Resources to explore the subject further with your staff |
Suicide Prevention
| Suicide prevention toolkits |
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What is it The Mental Health Commission of Canada (MHCC), in collaboration with the Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention, the Centre for Suicide Prevention, and the Public Health Agency of Canada has developed two toolkits to support people who have been impacted by suicide. One toolkit is tailored for people who have attempted suicide, and the other is focused on resources for people who have lost someone to suicide. The MHCC wishes to thank the Advisory Committee comprised of people with lived experience related to suicide for their assistance in making these toolkits possible. In the summer of 2017, the MHCC conducted an online survey to elicit feedback from people who have been affected by suicide. With over a thousand responses, the survey helped gain a better understanding of what topics, content areas, resources, and information were important to include in the toolkits. Language Many respondents indicated a preference for “people-first” language as opposed to “survivorship language”. For this reason, “people-first” language is used in the toolkit. That said, many of the resources linked from the toolkits use “survivorship” language. Please note that the toolkits are not intended to replace a conversation and are not designed to be an exhaustive list of the wide variety of resources available across Canada for support. If you or someone you know is experiencing distressing thoughts or thoughts of suicide, please contact your local distress centre or Kids Help Phone. |
Children and Youth
| Talking to children about a suicide |
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It’s human nature to skirt difficult conversations, especially when they involve uncomfortable circumstances and topics. But sometimes we need to face these challenges head on. The Mental Health Commission of Canada (MHCC) has developed Talking to Children About a Suicide, "a resource designed to walk parents, teachers, and others through these discussions, step by step." The resource is designed "to let caregivers know how to mentally prepare, what to expect (or not expect), and how to respond with language that is helpful, not harmful.” |
| Free virtual programs to help children manage anxiety |
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Everyone experiences anxiety, stress and worry from time to time. However, for some children and families, these emotions can be overwhelming, especially as we continue to face challenges and uncertainty due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Beginning in May 2021, EarlyON agencies in York Region will be offering free Fear-Less Triple P parenting programs to help anxious children and their parents. This program will introduce parents and caregivers to key strategies to support children with managing anxiety. Parents will learn how anxiety works and ways to help their child develop coping skills to successfully manage anxious behaviours. |
Developmental Disabilities
| Passport resources |
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York Support Services Network (YSSN) has put together important resources for individuals who are interested in applying for the Passport Program as well as those who are approved for funding including:
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| Passport eCLAIM |
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Passport eCLAIM is a new site where you can register an account, download a personalized eCLAIM form (fillable pdf) and submit all your Passport claims online. Your claims will be processed electronically, and you will be able to view your submission history and claim status from your Passport eCLAIM account. To find out more about Passport eCLAIM, please visit DSTO - Learn About Passport E-link |
| Wills and estate planning guide |
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The Inspiring Possibilities Planning Guide, published by Community Living Ontario, is a tax, benefits, trusts and wills guide for Ontarians with disabilities. |
| Funding and financial supports guide for families who have children with disabilities |
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This booklet, created by the Family Resource Specialists in the Family Resource Centre at Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, contains a list of some government funding programs, charitable organizations, recreation and housing funding sources and other financial resources that may be helpful to families. |
Caregivers
| Creative programming toolkit for parents and other caregivers |
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Community Living York South Simcoe has published a Creative Programming Toolkit. This toolkit has been created for parents and other caregivers to guide the creation of creative programming options with a collection of tips, suggestions and samples. This toolkit is for caregivers that are looking to work together with other families to create affordable options for loved ones. You might be looking to create a program for something that does not yet exist, for example, perhaps you are looking for an opportunity to work with families that speak the same language as you– well this toolkit can assist you with that! *NOTE: This toolkit is not limited to caregivers– anyone with a passion for creating programming options can use this. Download and read the Creative Programming Toolkit in English, French, Chinese and Tamil |
Women
| Mini-guide for women sidelined from the workforce |
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Women are no stranger to the role of primary caregivers, which is why up to one-third of working mothers have considered quitting their jobs since the onset of COVID. And the weight of leaving the workforce can be a heavy burden. That’s why the Mental Health Commission of Canada (MHCC) created a mini-guide specifically designed to support the mental wellness of women who have been sidelined from the workforce, whether by pandemic business closures, caregiving, or other responsibilities. Download the Mini-Guide for Women Sidelined from the Workforce |
Indigenous Peoples
| Indigenous centered approaches to harm reduction |
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Indigenous Centered Approaches to Harm Reduction - a free webinar series courtesy of Homelessness Learning Hub and CATIE. This two-part webinar series explores Indigenous-centred and reconciliatory harm reduction approaches. These videos spotlight examples of innovative, Indigenous-led programs across the country that are using Indigenous-centred approaches to harm reduction, HIV and hepatitis C. The first webinar provides an overview of:
The second webinar explores:
Learn more about Indigenous centered approaches to harm reduction and access the video resources |
| Non-Indigenous people — here’s what you can do, right now |
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Many Indigenous people are overwhelmed with the tasks of caring for themselves, their families and communities. And many non-Indigenous people are wondering what they can do to help. This article is a collaboration between The Discourse and IndigiNews. It seeks to amplify calls to action from Indigenous people and communities that have been shared in recent days. 7 ways to support Indigenous people grieving in wake of news about 215 children |
Social Justice
| Five good ideas for racial justice change-making |
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How do we best address growing colour-coded inequality – for Indigenous peoples and peoples of colour, including Black Canadians? How can individuals, groups, and organizations engage in effective trust-building, ally-ship, partnership development, and advocacy? By highlighting examples of the real economic, health, and social impacts of racism and faithism, this webinar (presented by Maytree) will break down five good ideas for better “walking the talk” on racial equity. Five Good Ideas
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COVID-19
| York Region COVID-19 vaccine digital toolkit edition #10 |
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Key Messages – For responding to public inquiries or use in your own publications: • York Region Vaccination Progress • Accelerated Second Dose Eligibility Updates • Second Doses for Recipients of AstraZeneca • Youth and Family Vaccination Information • Vaccine Confidence: New Resources from York Region, the Government of Canada, COVID-19 Resources Canada and the Canadian Muslim COVID-19 Task Force Shareable Assets – For you to print, post, email or otherwise share within your networks: • Poster: Vaccine Confidence Information from York Region • #IGotMyVaccineInYR Social Media Frame: Instructions for How to Use on Facebook • Video: COVID-19 Vaccines – What You Need to Know (May 12, 2021 update) • Social Media Messages: Vaccine Information for Pregnant Individuals Click here for the York Region COVID-19 Vaccine Digital Toolkit Edition #10
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| Digital Toolkit: Youth Vaccine Special Edition |
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Great news! COVID-19 vaccines are now available for youth ages 12 to 17 in York Region. We want to be sure young residents and their families feel confident and informed when booking a vaccine. Please feel free to share and promote all items within this toolkit through your personal networks to help spread the word. Included in the Youth Vaccination Digital Toolkit you will find: Youth Vaccination Key Messages: |
| York Region COVID-19 vaccine digital toolkit edition #9 |
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Key Messages – For responding to public inquiries or use in your own publications: • NEW Vaccine Eligibility Updates • Transportation Options to Vaccine Clinics • Vaccine Confidence: New Messages and Resources to Support Vaccine Confidence from York Region, the Canadian Muslim COVID-19 Task Force and the This is Our Shot Campaign Shareable Assets – For you to print, post, email or otherwise share within your networks: • Video: What to Expect at a Vaccine Clinic • Vaccine Confidence Social Media Graphics and Messaging • ActiveNet Step-By-Step Booking Guide: How to Create Your Account and Book a Vaccine • Province of Ontario Vaccine Information Hub: Multi-lingual Communication Resources Click here for the York Region COVID-19 Vaccine Digital Toolkit Edition #9 |
| York Region COVID-19 vaccine digital toolkit edition #8 |
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Key Messages – For responding to public inquiries or use in your own publications: • Vaccine Eligibility Updates: NEW Pregnant Individuals, Postal Code L4H and Child Care Workers • Vaccine Confidence: Resources to Support Vaccine Confidence from York Region, Public Health Ontario and The Black Scientists’ Task Force on Vaccine Equity Shareable Assets – For you to print, post, email or otherwise share within your networks: • COVID-19 Vaccine Program: Roles and Responsibilities News Story and Graphic • Vaccine Confidence Social Message and Graphic • ActiveNet Step-By-Step Booking Guide: How to Create Your Account and Book a Vaccine • Province of Ontario Vaccine Information Hub: Multi-lingual Communication Resources Click here for the York Region COVID-19 Vaccine Digital Toolkit Edition #8 |
| York Region COVID-19 vaccine digital toolkit edition #7 |
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Key Messages – For responding to public inquiries or use in your own publications: • Vaccine Eligibility Updates and Extended Stay-At-Home Order Information • Transportation Options to York Region Vaccine Clinics • Vaccine Confidence – Updated Facts and Resources to Promote and Build Vaccine Confidence Shareable Assets – For you to print, post, email or otherwise share within your networks: • CBC Video: Dr. Samir Gupta Explains Why all COVID-19 Vaccines are an Excellent Choice • COVID-19 Information in York Region: Printable Poster • ActiveNet Step-By-Step Booking Guide: How to Create Your Account and Book a Vaccine • Province of Ontario Vaccine Information Hub: Multi-lingual Communication Resources Click here for the York Region COVID-19 Vaccine Digital Toolkit Edition #7 |
| York Region COVID-19 vaccine digital toolkit edition #6 |
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Key Messages – For responding to public inquiries or use in your own publications. New topics: • Vaccine Supply, Clinic and Eligibility Updates • Transportation Options to York Region Vaccine Clinics • Vaccine Confidence – Key Facts to Promote and Build Vaccine Confidence Shareable Assets – For you to print, post, email or otherwise share within your networks. New assets: • Registration Link: Upcoming April 17, 2021, York Region Alliance of African Canadian Communities Interactive COVID-19 Discussion • Vaccine Confidence Infographic – Multi-lingual Versions Available • ActiveNet Step-By-Step Booking Guide – How to Create Your Account and Book a Vaccine • Ramadan COVID-19 FAQs – Useful COVID-19 and Vaccine Information During Ramadan • Province of Ontario Vaccine Information Hub: Multi-lingual Communication Resources Click here for the York Region COVID-19 Vaccine Digital Toolkit Edition #6 Click here for the Ramadan & COVID-19 FAQ Click here for the ActiveNet Step-by-Step Book Guide
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| York Region COVID-19 vaccine digital toolkit edition #5 |
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Key Messages – For responding to public inquiries or use in your own publications. New topics: • Joint Statement from the Medical Officer of Health and Hospital CEOs in York Region • Two New Vaccine Clinics Open in York Region: Canada’s Wonderland and Trisan Centre • New Vaccine Eligibility for Faith Leaders and 65+ at All Clinics, and 60+ at Cornell Community Centre • AstraZeneca COVID-19 Vaccines Available to residents 55+ at select York Region Pharmacies • Vaccines Now Available for Residents Age 45 to 59 in Five York Region Postal Code Areas • Transportation Options to York Region Vaccine Clinics • Vaccine Confidence – Why Getting Vaccinated Matters / The Best Vaccine is The First One Offered to You Shareable Assets – For you to print, post, email or otherwise share within your networks. New items: • New Video: What to Expect at a York Region Drive-Thru Vaccine Clinic • Voluntary Isolation Centre Postcard – Multi-lingual Options Available • Province of Ontario Vaccine Information Hub: Multi-lingual Communication Resources • Social Media Images for 65+ Vaccine Eligibility – Facebook and Twitter • Social Media Images for 55+ Pharmacy Vaccine Availability – Facebook and Twitter For more information, please contact York Region Public Health or York Region Corporate Communications at HEOCCommunications@york.ca or YR.Corporate.Communications@york.ca. Click here for the York Region COVID-19 Vaccine Digital Toolkit Edition #5 |
| York Region COVID-19 vaccine digital toolkit edition #4 |
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This is the 4th Edition of York Region's COVID-19 Vaccine Digital Toolkit. In this week’s edition, please find new messages and resources to help inform the community:Key Messages – For responding to public inquiries or use in your own publications. • New Vaccine Eligibility for 70+ • Help Us Help You – Choose Kindness • Dedicated Vaccine Clinic Days for Indigenous Residents and Adult Household Members • Transportation Options to York Region Vaccine Clinics • Timing of COVID-19 Vaccine Second DosesShareable Assets – For you to print, post, email or otherwise share within your networks. • Updated COVID-19 Vaccine: What You Need to Know Video – March 17 Update • Updated COVID-19 Vaccine Confidence Fast Facts Infographic – March 18 Update • FAQs: COVID-19 Vaccine Identification Information for Indigenous FamiliesDo you have feedback to share? Please email HEOCCommunications@york.ca Click here for the York Region COVID-19 Vaccine Digital Toolkit Edition #4 |
| York Region emergency food resources during COVID-19 |
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The York Region Food Network (YRFN) seeks to be an acknowledged and respected centre for the promotion of food security – a healthy, accessible and sustainable food system in York Region. They've compiled a list of emergency food resources for York Region residents during COVID-19 that includes:
See the full list of York Region emergency food resources during COVID-19 |
| Mental health and the COVID-19 pandemic |
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CAMH has been at the leading edge of breakthroughs in mental health research for over 20 years, with each discovery giving rise to new treatments, methodologies, and hope. Follow the links below for resources to support yourself and others during the pandemic. Mental health and the COVID-19 pandemic Resources for health care workers during COVID-19 Self-management in the moment: quick tips to support yourself during the COIVD-19 pandemic |
| Family emergency planning for COVID-19 |
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York Region is advising parents to make a family emergency plan in the event somebody in the household needs to self-isolate or be hospitalized due to COVID-19. This plan should include arrangements for an emergency caregiver in case parents/guardians cannot care for children due to illness. York Region has developed the Family Emergency Planning for COVID-19 Form and encourages families to print one copy for the emergency caregiver and another to give to emergency services, or a health care provider in the case of an emergency. Additionally, York Region has developed a COVID-19 Resource Package for Parents and Caregivers that includes information on resources, services, programs and supports in York Region to help families and caregivers during the COVID-19 pandemic. These include: • Family Emergency Planning for COVID-19 The Family Emergency Plan for COVID-19 Form and the COVID-19 Resource Package for Parents and Caregivers can be found at york.ca/COVID19FamilySupport |
| COVID-19 resources to support people with developmental disabilities and their families |
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ConnectABILITY is a website and virtual community dedicated to lifelong learning and support for people who have an intellectual disability, their families and support networks. They have assembled information and resources to support individuals with developmental disabilities and their families during the COVID-19 pandemic including:
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| COVID-19 supports for isolated, low income seniors and people with disabilities |
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The Ontario Community Support Association (OCSA) is helping isolated, low-income seniors and people with disabilities and chronic medical conditions across Ontario get meals, groceries, medicine and other essentials to stay safe at home during COVID-19. OCSA is working with Meals on Wheels organizations and other partners across the province to deliver the following services to vulnerable seniors without family or community support. |