Family Sessions - Screening or parenting coaching

Testimonials

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  A great experience at Home Alone

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  A great experience at Home Alone

  My son really enjoyed this course. He spent the whole day, and probably the whole week, talking about all the things he learned and what to do in each circumstance. He was very proud to show us a few things we didn’t know, or had forgotten, such as the symbols of the chemical substances and the level of danger. Since the day of the course, we’ve been trying to identify the symbols of the chemical substances we have at home, so that he knows which are the ones he should stay away from. We have also added some notes to his booklet, including the closest neighbours’ phone numbers, which we realize he didn’t have.
  
  We think it was a great experience for him, and we are more confident that, if he needs to stay home alone for a relatively short period of time, he will handle it very well. Thank you very much!
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  I felt supported

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  I felt supported

  I cannot say enough good things about my experience with the Portia Learning Centre team. From the moment I stepped through the doors with my son, I felt supported. I had noticed that my son had been struggling with some executive function skills at school and I did not know where to start. The staff member took the time to ask relevant questions while my son was assessed by a therapist. The therapist was friendly and kind. She took her time with my son to understand him. With them, I was able to express my concerns freely, without judgment. Following the in-person meeting, I received a report that was direct, and easy to understand and gave links to in-community resources to assist further. I felt confident approaching my son's teachers to discuss his development and learning. I feel very fortunate to have been able to receive this session quickly, with very little wait time. Thank you MFS NCR for this invaluable resource!
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  Helping us make informed decisions

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  Helping us make informed decisions

  "As parents of newly diagnosed children with Autism Spectrum Disorder, the one-on-one session for parents with the Portia Learning Center arranged by MFS NCR was very helpful. They took the time to get to know each of our children's needs and made individualized recommendations to support their behaviour and learning.
  
  It was incredibly validating to hear that the steps we've already taken to support our kids were among their recommendations and to know that we are on the right track. In addition to providing an overview of the available services at Portia Learning Center, they explained other programs and services we might like to consider for our kids in both Ottawa and Gatineau, which will help us make informed decisions about the next steps to support our kids". 

  • Family Sessions - Screening or parenting coaching
  • Education in NCR
  • Military Family Services - NCR
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  A relief for newcomers

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  A relief for newcomers

  We very happy to be connected with the Portia Learning Centre through Military Family Services here in the NCR. As parents of 4 children with varying needs, the discovery of Portia learning is a relief.
  
  The therapists we met with are very knowledgeable. I received helpful insights from Charlene, and was very comfortable speaking with her. My children enjoyed meeting the therapists and playing in their therapy room.
  
  I left the initial appointment excited about their programs and the possibility of enrolling. Their programs are very suitable for a military family coming into the NCR because it brings a variety of therapies into one location.
  
  Navigating an unknown or large city as a newcomer military family can be daunting. Portia has helped us to receive the help we need in one spot instead of all over the city. I cannot wait to get started there!

  • Screening or parenting coaching sessions with the Portia Learning Centre
  • Relocation Resources
  • Military Family Services - NCR
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  Insights and support

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  Insights and support

  "While having some discussion with MFS, I had some concerns about my youngest. They had no issues with providing more resources with the Portia Learning Centre.
  
  We just had our screening session the other day and although we haven’t received the final report, they were able to provide us with some great feedback.
  
  And what a great group, as soon as we walked in you can tell they knew what they were doing, the patience demonstrated with their kids was great to see. My daughter didn’t want to leave as she was having such fun! Again thank you."

  • Family Sessions - Screening or parenting coaching
  • Mental Health in NCR
  • Military Family Services - NCR
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  A life-saver in helping our family transition

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  A life-saver in helping our family transition

  "We would like to thank [the team at] MFS NCR for their support following the autism spectrum disorder (ASD) diagnosis of our children.
  
  Since we received the diagnosis shortly after arriving in the NCR, our family was at a loss for local support services and social activities that would be right for our children’s unique needs.
  
  [You] provided us a wealth of resources within the community, sharing services and programs that we never knew existed. [You] also put together a thoughtful welcome package with items for the whole family, including fidget toys and visual learning aides that are perfect for our children’s age and needs.
  
  [You have] been a life-saver in helping our family transition into our new hometown and developing a comprehensive support plan for our children. We can’t thank you enough for your support! We’ve already started accessing many of the services and social programs that you provided."

  • Family Navigation
  • Relocation Resources
  • Military Family Services - NCR
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  Navigating through change

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  Navigating through change

  "We received the news this past fall that we were getting posted, and after much discussing we decided to do the IR.
  
  The MFS again was able to help me and my family through navigating through this soon to be change. Provided some guidance with discussing this with the kids and some useful ideas, like a deployment wall that we will do with the kids, and some very useful material that will help with the deployment wall and keeping us all tied together even physically apart.
  
  My little one cant wait to start the conversation cards we received and the letters that will be added to the deployment wall will be lovely. Also, a program to help my relationship with my partner.
  
  These little things that I didn’t think of made a world of a difference for them already and its not even in place yet. So thank you!"

  • Deployment Support in NCR
  • Military Family Services - NCR
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  Lending library

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  Lending library

  "When they gave us resources on a lending library. We tried 3 items and a weighted blanket that was no longer in their register but they made some exceptions to help us out. I have 2 daughters who struggle with bed time, a 8 year old and a 12 year. We experimented with the lent items, a weighted blanket and a projector with sounds and stars. They were such a hit!
  
  We figured out that my youngest does not require any lighting but needs the weighted blanket whereas the other needs all the lights, it was a learning experience for all. We tried them for the allocated time and returned them to purchase our own and now have a much smoother bed time.
  
  It was thanks to this lending library that we were able to try these items before actually buying them that was the best part! Thank you!"

  • Sensory Lending Library
  • Military Family Services - NCR
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  Navigating resources

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  Navigating resources

  My youngest has had some issues with her eyes and had to go though some eye therapy that was not covered under any of our insurances. Again, they were able to point us in a couple different areas to help financially. What a help! Thank you!

  • Military Family Services - NCR
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  The newsletters have even more resources!

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  The newsletters have even more resources!

  "Such as the teen kits, which my pre-teen received the art kit and loved it so much! It was wonderful to see such attention to detail with a copy of the military child poem and paint by diamond that matched. Additional there was more resources for summer camps funding and other interesting things. Thank you!
  
  I haven’t had the pleasure to use any military services in the past and so I am not sure I cant be biased, but the NCR MFS has been so supportive and nice since I was made aware of them by another military family [...] they have helped is many more ways not mentioned.
  
  My deepest thanks seems like not enough, but simple- THANK YOU.
  Thank you to this amazing team!"

  • News and Updates
  • Monthly e-newsletter in NCR
  • Teen Totes
  • Military Family Services - NCR
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  Very happy with the coaching session

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  Very happy with the coaching session

  Ever since my daughter was diagnosed with ADHD, I have sought various ways to help support her. I jumped at the opportunity to participate in a parent coaching session with The Portia Learning Centre, arranged through Military Family Services NCR, when I saw it in a “NCR At a Glance” email. Registering for the session was simple and smooth. The coach I was paired with was attentive and kind. She listened to my experiences and challenges and provided realistic ways that I could practice behaviour modification techniques with my daughter. She also followed up with an email containing useful resources. Lastly, she provided hints on how to work with my daughter’s future schools, since our family is likely to be posted to a different province next year. In short, I was very happy with the coaching session and highly recommend it if you’re thinking about it!