Supported Child Development Program
Children and families receive what they need to thrive.
The Supported Child Development Program (SCD) supports centres to provide inclusive care for all children.
The Aboriginal Supported Child Development Program (ASCD) works alongside our SCD Program to provide these services while ensuring cultural safety and cultural sensitivity for First Nations, Metis, and Inuit children and families.
The heart of the Supported Child Development and The Aboriginal Supported Child Development Program are the philosophies of “Inclusion” (Inclusive Child Care resources and supports – Province of British Columbia (gov.bc.ca)) and “Family-Centred Service” (Family-Centred Service | CanChild ).
We believe that…
…high quality, welcoming and inclusive child care is a right, and supports the health and well-being of each child and family.
…providing planning and supports early helps maximize a centre’s ability to provide inclusive care.
…Child Care Providers who celebrate the strengths of each child and family are well positioned to provide inclusive care.
…Child Care Providers who are willing to be reflective and flexible in their work can make huge changes for their program, for the children and families they serve, and for the wider community.
When Is a Child Eligible for SCD Services?
If your child is aged birth to 12 and either in a child care program or planning to be, and potential barriers to inclusion exist. Children who are referred may have a diagnoses of some kind, but this is not required for participation.
Who Can Refer?
If you have concerns or questions about your child’s inclusion in their child care program, 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?
- You will be seen by our Family Advocate to gather relevant information and gather consent for services.
- You will be contacted by email with waitlist information, and when you can expect to begin receiving services.
- When your child is placed on a consultants caseload, we 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 time in Child Care, and to determine what resources or strategies may facilitate the success of the child in the program they are attending.
- Consultants will then visit the Child Care Program 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.
How Can I Help My Child At Home?
- Connect with the providers at your centre to share your expertise about your child and family.
- Celebrate and share the things you and your family are seeing your child learn and explore.
- Share with the providers the things your child loves, and strategies that you find work well to support them.
- Communicate regularly with your providers about what they are doing and seeing at the centre, and what you are seeing at home.
- Your relationship with the providers can support a sense of safety with your child and the providers.
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.
SCD Resource Links:
Child Care Resources
Family Centered Practice
- Families know their children best, and are the most important and constant factor in their lives
- The needs of the family as a whole are honored
- Family strength, stability, history, culture, and dignity are respected
- Families have the right and responsibility to make choices in the best interests of their children – and have those choices respected
- Families and professionals work as a team
- Services are flexible to meet unique family needs
Inclusion
- All children are welcomed, supported and valued
- All activities of playing, learning, and growing happen in a way that children feel they belong
- The child is in the best environment to experience success regardless of their diverse abilities
- All children have different abilities and aptitudes; and an inclusive setting accommodates and builds on those
Meet the team
Lindsay Friis
SCD/ASCD Program Lead & Consultant; Regional Advisor for SCD on Vancouver Island
Phone: 250-338-4288 ext 230
Email: lindsay@cvcda.ca
Angie Carter
Supported Child Development Consultant for Indigenous Families
Phone: 250-338-4288 ext 227
Cell: (250) 703-6075
Email: angie@cvcda.ca
Heather Grealey
Supported Child Development Consultant for Indigenous Families
Phone: 250-338-4288 ext 222
Cell: 250-207-3846
Email: heather@cvcda.ca
Marika Gould
Supported Child Development Consultant
Phone: 250-338-4288 ext 237
Email: marika@cvcda.ca
Laura McCaffrey
Supported Child Development Consultant
Phone: 250-338-4288 ext 287
Email: laura@cvcda.ca
Alesha McDowell
Supported Child Development Consultant
Phone: 250-338-4288 ext 252
Email: alesha@cvcda.ca
Elise Patteson
Supported Child Development Consultant
Phone: 250-338-4288 ext 251
Email: elise@cvcda.ca
Kezia Addison
Supported Child Development Consultant
Phone: 250-338-4288 ext 224
Email: kezia@cvcda.ca
Connect with Family Advocate
To get started with any of our CVCDA Services speak with April Statz.