Hand in Hand: Growing Together Every Day
A collaborative developmental support model
Key Highlights
- A collaborative model for promotion, prevention, and early intervention
- Guides practitioners from screening and early identification to individualized planning
- Strengths-based, relationship-based Developmental Support Plans for everyday routines
Hand in Hand is a collaborative model for infant mental health promotion, prevention, and early intervention for children from birth to age five. It guides practitioners through a clear process, from developmental screening and early identification to individualized developmental support planning. Along the way, what you learn through developmental screening, observation and caregiver input is translated into an evidence-informed, relationship-based Developmental Support Plan filled with practical, strengths-based strategies families can use right away in everyday routines.
Lengthy waitlists can cost young children valuable time during a critical period of rapid brain development. Hand in Hand closes this gap by helping practitioners and caregivers identify a child's developmental strengths and needs and create an individualized, relationship-based Developmental Support Plan that can be used immediately in everyday routines — meaningful support in place of a wait.
The Hand in Hand model is a cyclical process that supports children and families over time:
- Screen, Observe & Discuss: gather insight into the child's strengths and needs
- Make Appropriate Referrals (if needed, runs in parallel, not as a prerequisite)
- Co-Create the Developmental Support Plan: build it together with the family
- Use Strategies in Everyday Routines: embed support into daily life
- Review Progress & Update the Plan: track growth and adjust
- Rescreen at Regular Intervals: provide ongoing, responsive support
The Hand in Hand Developmental Support Plan (DSP) is a strengths-based, relationship-focused plan created with a child’s family. Rather than focusing on what a child can't yet do, the plan starts with what they can do and builds from there, strengthening the everyday relationships and routines where real development happens. It's created through four key steps:
- Identify strengths, needs, and priorities through developmental screening, observation, and caregiver input.
- Set meaningful goals tailored to the child and family's unique context.
- Choose practical, relationship-based activities and strategies that can be used during everyday routines.
- Collaborate with parents and caregivers to create a personalized plan in a consistent, professional format.
The finished plan is written in the child's voice, and it outlines what the child can already do, their next goal, the strategies caregivers can use to help them reach it, and why it matters. The result is a shared, practical plan that strengthens the connection between the child and everyone in their circle of support.
We're building a web-based application to make the Hand in Hand approach even easier to put into practice. The digital tool will guide practitioners' step by step through creating personalized, strengths-based Developmental Support Plans Designed with privacy in mind and built to preserve your professional judgement, it will streamline the planning process from start to finish.
The tool is currently in prototype testing. Stay tuned and check back soon to be among the first to try it.
Interested in bringing Hand in Hand into your practice? We'd love to hear from you. Whether you're looking to learn more about the model, explore training, or stay informed about the upcoming digital tool, we're here to support you.
Get in touch: iemhp.mail@sickkids.ca
