Aboriginal Supported Child Development Program

The Aboriginal Supported Child Development Program (ASCD) walks alongside children and their families to honour the gifts that a child is born with.  The ASCD program works to make sure each child’s gifts and uniqueness are acknowledged and supported in a culturally safe and relevant way within their childcare setting.  The ASCD program walks alongside and learns from all Nations (First Nations, Metis, and Inuit).

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 ASCD Services?

•  Your child must be in a childcare setting or registered to start attending, and you would like to talk about how your child’s skills are developing (these skills could be social, emotional, behavioural, language based, physical and or cognitive). 
•  If you would like someone to walk alongside you to make sure your child’s unique gifts are being acknowledged and uplifted within their childcare setting. 
•  If you would like to make sure your family’s culture/traditions are being held sacred within the childcare setting.

Who Can Refer?

If you have questions about your child’s development, 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, with your consent. 

What Happens After The Referral?

1. You will meet one of our Supported Child Development Consultants for Indigenous Children and Families, or our Family Advocate to gather information about your child and family, share information about our services, and discuss your consent for receiving services

2. You will be contacted to arrange an initial meeting wherever is most convenient for your family where we will begin by gathering with the family to hear all about their wishes for their child and to determine what resources or strategies may help to support the child having the best possible experience in their childcare setting.

3. 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 supporting the goals of the family and to support the wishes for the child as determined by the family. We will continue to consult with the family and 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