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Who We Are
About Us

Collage of kids served by Five Counties.Five Counties Children’s Centre has been dedicated to supporting children and youth with physical, developmental and communications needs for nearly five decades. In partnership with families and communities, Five Counties provides outpatient and community-based services with the aim of enriching the independence and wellness of those it serves. This helps build the skills our clients need in everyday life such as walking and talking.

We treat clients from infancy to their late teens, offering physiotherapy, occupational therapy speech and language therapy and more. Five Counties provides treatment in schools, in the community and at its locations in Peterborough, Lindsay, Cobourg, Campbellford ad Haliburton/Minden. We were incorporated in 1972 and opened in October 1975.

Our Action/Strategic Plan 2023-2025
Our Vision:

Building Abilities for Life

Our Mission:

Five Counties Children’s Centre is dedicated to working with families and community partners to provide innovative, evidence-based care for children and youth with physical, developmental and communication needs; enhancing their independence and enriching their quality of life.

Our Values:
  • Our Families
    • We respect the uniqueness of our clients and families. We believe people know themselves and their situations best. We believe in the strength of families.
  • Our Staff
    • We believe that our staff are our most valuable resource and have the right to work in a respectful, supportive and encouraging work environment.
  • Our Communities
    • We believe in the importance of our communities and their role as key partners in enhancing the lives of our clients and their families.
  • Our Services
  • We believe in excellence. Our clients deserve the highest standard of practice supported by current knowledge and evidence.

We believe that by working together and being accountable, we can make a difference.

Our Action Plan – 5 Key Themes

Bigger, bolder, better. At Five Counties Children’s Centre, the work we do for our children, youth and families is life-changing. Every day, we help enhance children’s independence, well-being and quality of life, while providing support and empowering families in our region. Our work is never done – and never more important! That’s why our new Action Plan (or Strategic Plan) for 2023-2025 is designed to help us move the needle so we can have next level impact for our staff, kids/clients, families and communities!

  • Watch our ‘There Comes a Time’ video below to see why it’s time for Five Counties to take what we do to the next level.



As an organization, we’re focusing on five areas that can help us better support staff and have an even bigger role in providing quality, timely care in our communities. Our five central themes are: Workplace Culture and Talent, Awareness, Bigger Gifts and Support, Thought Leadership, and Personalized Care Plus.

Workplace Culture and Talent

  • Create a Health and Human Resource Plan that enables Five Counties to be a leader in recruitment, mentoring, recognition and leadership development
  • Identify creative uses for volunteers to support staff­ capacity
  • Nurture future sta­ff through support of placements and partnerships with educational institutions
  • Boost internal communications to celebrate successes, share Ministry expectations, share the value of privately-purchased services, etc.
  • Invest in our facilities, technology and equipment, while exploring creative opportunities and partnerships to address the long-term sustainability
  • Develop an organizational Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Action Plan.

Awareness

  • Develop a strong communications plan with the resources to support the plan.
  • Relying on data collection and parent engagement, collect and communicate the stories that demonstrate impact.
  • Continue to advocate for the organization, the people it serves, and the sector to funders and the community.
  • Continue to leverage sector networks to raise awareness.

Bigger Gifts and Support

  • Diversify fundraising models by expanding opportunities beyond traditional events and exploring all fund development options including grants and public campaigns/advertising.
  • Explore partnerships with businesses to support fundraising goal.

Thought Leadership

  • Strengthen data collection and management processes and investments, particularly to ensure resources are used to full capacity.
  • Lead the way both locally and provincially in advancements in health outcomes.

Personalized Care Plus

  • Implementation of the SmartStart Hub.
  • Build capacity through collaboration with families and community partners.
  • Innovate and explore alternative methods to address the needs of our families that reduces wait times.
  • Expand options and opportunities for parent and alumni engagement.
Partnering for Success

At the Centre we have a team approach; the family is the key member of this team. This family-centred approach provides quality service in a supportive environment. For more information, please review our Family Centred Care Principles.

We Believe:

  • in a family-centred approach that provides quality service in a supportive environment
  • that families are equal partners in the planning and carrying out of services.
  • that partnerships are based upon respect and open communication
  • that service should be responsive to the needs of all family members
  • that parents should have access to information regarding their child’s needs and treatment options

The Centre is a non-profit organization governed by a volunteer Board of Directors.  The Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services and the City of Peterborough fund most of the services provided by the Centre.  Additionally, the Centre provides School Health Support Services (therapy at school) under contract with the two local Access Centres.

We respectfully acknowledge that Five Counties Children’s Centre is located on the Treaty 20 Michi Saagiig territory and in the traditional territory of the Michi Saagiig and Chippewa Nations, collectively known as the Williams Treaties First Nations, which include: Curve Lake, Hiawatha, Alderville, Scugog Island, Rama, Beausoleil, and Georgina Island First Nations.

Five Counties Children’s Centre respectfully acknowledges that the Williams Treaties First Nations are the stewards and caretakers of these lands and waters in perpetuity, and that they continue to maintain this responsibility to ensure their health and integrity for generations to come.