The Research and Evaluation Unit at Surrey Place Centre was established in 2004.  We work with staff and community partners to build capacity both within and outside Surrey Place Centre. 

The goal of the Unit is to contribute to the growth of research and program evaluation that improves services and ultimately the quality of life of persons with developmental disabilities and their families.

Engagement with stakeholders in research and evaluation activities is key to the capacity building process.  As such the Unit provides research, support and education to Surrey Place Centre staff, collaborates with staff in developing and carrying out projects, and partners with external stakeholders such as Universities, other agencies and government in research studies and capacity building initiatives.     

The Research and Evaluation Unit supports individual staff with their research and evaluation projects. 

Recent Projects include:

• Developmental Therapy – Identification of Barrier to Parent Participation in Therapy (Project focusing on outcomes for Developmental Therapy is in the planning stage).

• Psychotherapy – Monitoring Outcomes for Children and Youth Receiving Psychotherapy.

• Psychotherapy – Implementation Evaluation of a New Model of Psychotherapy for Adolescents with Mild Developmental Disability.

• Occupational Therapy – Monitoring outcomes for clients receiving occupational therapy services.

• Speech Language Pathology –Family and Professional Caregivers Satisfaction with Services.

• Behaviour Therapy – Bridges and Barriers: Enhancing Parent Implementation of Behavioural Strategies.

In many cases Surrey Place Centre staff are investigators of funded research teams.

Examples of Funded Projects from the Past Year include:

• With York University: GO4KIDDS: Great Outcomes for Children Impacted by Severe Developmental Disabilities and their Families – An Emerging Team Grant funded by  the Canadian Institutes of Health Research.

• With Queen’s University: Health, Education and Learning Practices Promoting Social Inclusion of Children with Developmental Disabilities - An Emerging Team Grant funded by  the Canadian Institutes of Health Research.

• With Brock University – Development of a Common Prioritization System for Adult Developmental Services in Ontario – Research Contract with the Ministry of Community and Social Services.

• With SickKids and Bloorview - Autism Treatment Network – Funded by Autism Speaks. 

• With Centre for Addiction and Mental Health – Partnership Forum: Developing a Data Linkage Strategy to Support Persons with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities – A Meetings, Planning and Dissemination Grant funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research.