title: Understanding the parents of children with special needs: collaboration between health, social and education networks.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In 2003, Quebec's Ministry of Health and Social Services (MSSS) and the Ministry of Education, Recreation and Sports (MELS) concluded the Agreement for the complementarity of services between the health and social services network and the education network. The objectives of the current investigation were to evaluate the implementation of this Agreement and its impact upon renewal of practices and services, and to investigate the consequences for children with special needs and their families. The specific focus of this article is to describe parents' perspectives regarding the impact of this Agreement upon them and their children.
  
  
  METHODS
  Interviews were conducted with 56 parents of children with disabilities, social maladjustment or learning difficulties across the province of Quebec. Data were analysed using content analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Most parents were not directly aware of any contact between school staff and health or social professionals, although discussions might have been held without their knowledge. The intervention plans seemed to be the main vehicle through which some parents perceived collaboration to be occurring. For parents, the impact upon actual practices or collaborative work is either minimal or non-existent.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  School inclusion of children with special needs is a challenge for all societies. The Agreement illustrates the Quebec government's intent to promote an alliance between two complex networks and has the potential to greatly benefit children and their families. However, more concrete action is required in order to realize specific changes regarding work cohesion and service organization for these groups.
authors.affiliation: Department of Rehabilitation, Laval University, Québec, QC, Canada.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tétreault
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Freeman
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Carrière
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Beaupré
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Gascon
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Marier Deschênes
mesh_terms: D022126:Access to Information; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002648:Child; D002662:Child Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D003695:Delivery of Health Care; D019988:Children with Disabilities / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004519:Education, Special; D005260:Female; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000458:organization & administration; D006801:Humans; D007859:Learning Disabilities / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D010290:Parents / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology; D010348:Patient Care Team / Q000458:organization & administration; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011368:Professional-Family Relations; D011792:Quebec / Q000453:epidemiology; D012574:Schools / Q000458:organization & administration; D012934:Social Isolation / Q000523:psychology*; D012944:Social Support; D012947:Social Work / Q000458:organization & administration; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: co-ordinated services; parents; partnership; professionals; school