ABORIGINAL SUPPORTED CHILD DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM

The Aboriginal Supported Child Development Program (ASCDP) helps each child involved in the program to successfully participate in the childcare setting of their family’s choice while ensuring cultural safety and cultural sensitivity for First Nations, Metis, and Inuit children and families.

We believe that…

Relationships – ASCD programs are founded on relationships as it is through healthy, safe relationships that a child with diverse abilities can develop to their full potential. ASCD aims to support and nurture relationships between and among the child, parents, caregivers, therapists, etc.

Respect – Respect is the foundation of all ASCD services. It is through mutual respect that trusting, meaningful relationships are built between families and service providers to ensure Aboriginal children are best supported in reaching their fullest potential.

Culturally Relevant and Safe Support – Evidence demonstrates that when programs and services are led by Aboriginal communities, this leads to greater participation, retention, and satisfaction in programs.

Access – Through relationships, ASCD works to support a family caring for a child with extra needs to access relevant and necessary supports and services that will foster the family, child and community connection.

Inclusion – ASCD acknowledges children as gifts of the creator, appreciates the unique abilities of Aboriginal children, and supports them in achieving their full participation in community life.

Shared Responsibility – Children are not raised in isolation; they are influenced by family, community and the greater society. As such the responsibility for children is a shared one.

Advocacy – ASCD acknowledges and honours that parents, caregivers and families know their children best. ASCD programs work to ensure families feel empowered to be advocates in supporting their child’s development.

Family Centred Practice – ASCD programs follow the families lead as decision makers for their children and acknowledge that parents and caregivers are experts in regards to their child. Families have choice and provide input at all levels of service delivery that involves their child.

Holistic – ASCD programs honour the “whole” child, which encompasses not only the physical, social/emotional and mental, but also the cultural/spiritual aspects of the child, within the context of their family, extended family, community and culture.

When Is a Child Eligible for SCD Services?

If a child is either in a child care program or planning to be, they may be eligable if they have or are at risk for a developmental delay or disability in one or more of the following areas:

• Physical
• Cognitive
• Communicative
• Social/Emotional/Behavioural

Who Can Refer?

If you have concerns or questions about your child, you can refer your child yourself. Additionally, Public Health Nurses, Family Physicians, Pediatricians, Child Care Providers and other service providers at the Child Development Association can also refer for you.

What Happens After The Referral?

1. You will be seen by our Family Advocate to gather relevant information and gather consent for services
2. You will be contacted to arrange an initial meeting where ever is most convenient for your family
3. We will begin by meeting with the family to learn more about the child’s strengths and interests and the family’s priorities for their child’s learning, and to determine what resources or strategies may facilitate the success of the child in the program they are attending.
4. We will then visit the early learning centre that the child attends and work with the family, the centre and other service providers to plan for successful inclusion and to support the priorities as determined by the family. We will continue to consult with the centre to provide resources, strategies, materials and suggestions.

Financial Support for Child Care Fees

Families may apply to the Ministry of Children and Family Development for the Affordable Child Care Benefit & Special Needs Benefit.  The benefit is income based and can be applied for online. The website is listed below.

How Can I Help My Child At Home?

• Enjoy and spend time engaging in any cultural activities that your family enjoys (drumming, dancing, singing songs in your language, looking at and reading books that fit with your culture)
• Read and play with toys that are culturally relevant to your family
• Spend a lot of time enjoying ‘connection’ activities such as snuggling, cuddling, spending one on one time doing favourite activities
• Spend time in nature as much as possible (walk in the forest, go to the beach, check out some of the local lakes) and talk about all the things you see while you are there to promote and encourage language skills

Meet The Team