Gateways
Our gateways to action
DocTocToc’s work is organized around five complementary “gateways” aimed at improving access to healthcare for young children.
Mobile clinic
DocTocToc’s mobile clinic offers free health and psychosocial services to children aged 0 to 5 who are not yet served by the health and social services system. The clinic is housed in a 100% energy-efficient bus which travels to the north of the island of Montreal. Children entering kindergarten there are known to be overrepresented by developmental vulnerabilities that have a negative impact on their school performance and eventual ability to reach their full potential.
Partnerships and cross-sector collaboration
As well as caring for small children, DocTocToc’s team orients families toward relevant resources in their area. It also creates partnerships and looks to collaborate with those community organizations that work with families and the health and social services network. The overriding goal is to create a support system for children that gives them opportunity to fully develop.
Teaching
The mobile clinic is also a place to train future professionals (doctors, nurses, psychosocial care workers, project managers).
Research and evaluation
The mobile clinic’s operations allow DocTocToc’s team to conduct research, mainly on local health services aimed at supporting vulnerable families, and overcoming health inequities and barriers to healthcare access for children aged 0 to 5.
Knowledge translation and advocacy
DocTocToc’s team is committed to sharing knowledge gathered in the field by the mobile clinic. Publications, conferences, professional advice, guidance and other forms of outreach seek to inform the community about barriers to healthcare access that vulnerable families may experience and to develop better ways to support their young children.