History

The History of Pathways Health Centre for Children

Pathways Health Centre for Children has been a crucial part of development for countless children in Sarnia-Lambton since it first opened its doors in 1975. Many people were a driving force in bringing the Centre to the area. Now almost 35 years after its first day, the Centre has undergone a 12,952 square foot expansion and renovation to fulfill the growing needs of the community.

1940	Need for Treatment Centre in Sarnia-Lambton recognized by members of the Rotary Club of Sarnia, parents of children with physical disabilities and local health officials
1950	Treatment began for the first 18 children
1950- 1970	Service provided in a variety of locations with limited government funding support and significant financial commitment from the Rotary Club of Sarnia
1970	Centre incorporated as the Sarnia & District Crippled Children's Treatment Centre following many years of dedicated work, financial commitment and support by the Rotary Club of Sarnia
1975	Official opening of building at present location on land leased to the Centre for $1 per year by the Rotary Club of Sarnia
1980	Established Adaptive Equipment Workshop, with funding from the Rotary Club of Sarnia and the community
1981	Changed name to Sarnia & District Children's Treatment Centre
1985	North expansion of the Centre with funding provided by the Rotary Club of Sarnia to complement support from Centre's Capital Fund (Audiology, Speech and Clinical Records) South expansion with funding from the Ministry of Community and Social Services (Developmental Classroom)
1987	Opening of Therapeutic Pool, with funding from the Rotary Club of Sarnia to complement Ministry of Health (MOH), Easter Seal Society and community contributions
1988	Expanded services to include Respite Care Program and Augmentative Communication Services
1990	Expanded services to include Special Services at Home Program
1991	Augmentative Communication Service designated as a General Level Clinic by the MOH Assistive Devices Branch Closure of our Lambton County Board of Education classroom due to the integration of special needs children into the school environment
1995	Expansion of building to accommodate growth in Speech-Language Pathology, Augmentative Communication and Audiology Services, with funding from the Rotary Club of Sarnia to complement support from Centre's Capital Fund
1996	Establishment of the Family Resource Centre through a $17,000 grant from Ronald McDonald Children's Charities
1998	Designated as lead agency for local Preschool Speech and Language Initiative, with additional funding from the Public Health Branch of the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care (MOHLTC)to enhance service The Sarnia-Lambton Community Care Access Centre (CCAC) provided additional funding for speech language and occupational therapy services for preschool age children
1999	Launch of SoundStart, the Lambton County Preschool Speech and Language Initiative
2001	Upgrade to the playground made to meet CSA standards through a grant from the County of Lambton
2002	Augmentative Communication Service received Expanded Level designation by the MOHLTC Assistive Devices Program Supplementary Letters Patent received changing the name of the Centre to Pathways Health Centre for Children
2004	Pathways Health Centre for Children, as a Children's Treatment Centre, moved under the new Ministry for Children and Youth Services
2005	Opening of C.A.C.H.É. (Care Assisting Children's Health and Education) Child Care Launch of ECE Resource Support services for Lambton County
2006	Launch of First Nations Resource Support Services C.A.C.H.É. renovated to provide day care for toddlers (from 18 months)
2008	The School Health Support Contract with the CCAC was discontinued. Sarnia-Lambton families began a public campaign and petitioned the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care to transfer funding for the program to the Ministry of Children and Youth Services for delivery of service through Children’s Treatment Centres. OACRS and the CTCs lobbied both Ministries for a speedy resolution.
2010	Pathways is no longer a Group K Hospital under the Public Hospitals Act
2011	Pathways is under construction! The Centre is renovated and expanded