Facilitator, Lore McLaren of Kind Roots Wellness
Our Supported Child Development Program (SCDP) was very fortunate to have recently participated in “Gender Diversity and Gender Affirming Training” with Lore McLaren of Kindness Roots Wellness.
Through a two-part, virtual workshop, Lore introduced and clarified language and terminology, potential barriers and impacts, policy and practice along with examples of lived experience relative to trans and gender affirming care.
The training also provided attendees concrete tools to evolve understanding, language, and behaviour to ensure more welcoming and safer spaces and services for trans, non-binary, gender diverse children, youth and LGBTQ2S+ people of all ages.
In the end, many clear and compassionate opportunities were presented to our SCDP team to continually improve our organizational awareness and skill in gender inclusive service delivery. Additionally, we were able to open the training up and offer it to many child care providers to carry this knowledge through out the Comox Valley.
The training was particularly timely as it took place leading up to International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia (May 17), a day to draw the attention to the violence and discrimination experienced by lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex people and all other people with diverse sexual orientations, gender identities or expressions, and sex characteristics.
The Supported Child Development Program (SCDP) along with our Aboriginal Supported Development Program (ASDP) are two of over 17 programs here at the Comox Valley Child Development Association (CVCDA).
Both our SCD programs help each child they serve to successfully participate in the childcare setting of their family’s choice. ASCDP additionally works to provide these services while ensuring cultural safety and cultural sensitivity for First Nations, Metis, and Inuit children and families.
The heart of SCDP and ASCDP are philosophies of “inclusion” and “family centred practice” along with the belief that…
…high quality child care and child development programs promote the health, well-being, and optimal development of each child, in a safe and nurturing environment among his or her peers
…providing planning and supports early helps maximize a child’s development
…caregivers understand the abilities and challenges of each child, and promote inclusion
…children with diverse abilities should access developmentally appropriate learning and recreational opportunities
Learn more about SCDP:
www.cvcda.ca/project/supported-child-development-program
Gender Affirming and LGBTQI2S+ Inclusive Training was presented by both SCDP and PacificCARE.
The Comox Valley Child Development Association is a non-profit society serving children, youth, and adults with diversabilities and their families since 1974. 