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CHILD AND YOUTH SERVICES

Infant Development Program (IDP)

We provide early intervention support to families with a child up to three years of age.

Sometimes children are slow to reach development milestones, such as sitting unsupported, playing with toys, walking and talking. During the first three years of a child’s life, important learning takes place during play and everyday experiences. The role of parents/caregivers is that of the child’s first teacher. Our infant development consultant works with parents to develop a program of activities to encourage the development of physical, social, emotional, language and cognitive skills.

  • may be at risk for delay in their development
  • is developmentally delayed in his/her development (i.e. sitting, walking, talking)
  • has a diagnosed disability/medical condition
  • home visits to encourage progress, develop new activities and support parents
  • developmental assessments and written reports
  • parent workshops or support groups
  • therapy consultation
  • service coordination
  • learn ways to encourage their child’s development.
  • meet other parents
  • discuss parenting issues
  • be informed of other community resources and activities

The Infant Development Program is funded by the Ministry of Children and Family Development. There are no fees for these services.

For more information, please contact Nachelle Hicks by phone 1-778-346-9019 or by e-mail nachelle.hicks@rivercityinclusion.ca

Speech and Language Program (SLP)

The Speech and Language team supports children from birth to school entry with communication development, as well as feeding & swallowing difficulties.

Communication is how we share our thoughts, feelings, and ideas with others. 

  • connect and interact with others (social communication)
  • comprehend language used by others (receptive language)
  • express our ideas through spoken language or other language systems (expressive language)
  • use speech muscles for pronunciation
  • stuttering
  • voice quality
  • hearing
  • feeding & swallowing (in partnership with our Occupational Therapists)
  • assessment – how your child is doing
  • consultation – ideas for next steps
  • therapy – working on new skills together

We work with you on your goals for your child, which can take place in your home, at Dogwood Place, or other places that work for you and your child.

The Speech and Language Program is funded by the Ministry of Children and Family Development. There are no fees for these services.

For more information, please contact Suzanne Macdonald by phone 1-778-346-9021 or by e-mail suzanne.macdonald@rivercityinclusion.ca

Physical and Occupational Therapies (PT, OT)

Each of these programs provides therapies to help children from birth to school entry develop their motor skills.

Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy promotes the development of gross motor skills like sitting, crawling, standing, walking, relative to the child moving through growth and developmental stages. Babies and children learn about themselves and their environment through movement. Movement is vital for their physical and mental growth, general health and overall well being. A physiotherapist (PT) helps babies and children move to their best of their ability.

In consultation with the family, the PT sets goals for functional movement and develops strategies to achieve them. Physiotherapists often use fun games and activities to help promote learning and development. Recommendations will be made for a home program of activities, exercise, or positioning to help your child’s development.

Services are mainly assessment and consultation (ideas for next steps).

Occupational Therapy

Occupational therapy promotes the development of fine motor skills. The Occupational Therapist (OT) will assess functional areas of a child’s development in areas including:

  • Eating and Drinking (e.g. drinking from breast/bottle/cup, eating solid foods, chewing and swallowing, picky eating)
  • Fine Motor Skills (e.g. picking up small objects, colouring, cutting, drawing, printing)
  • Sensory Development (or Sensory Processing) (e.g. responding to sound, sight, touch, or movement; seeking out sensory stimulation)
  • Self Care (e.g. toileting, bathing, dressing, grooming)
  • Attention and Focus

OT’s work with families/caregivers to establish family-prioritized goals for treatment, and develop ways through play or games to help the child improve their skills.

  • assessment – how your child is doing
  • consultation – ideas for next steps
  • therapy – working on new skills together

Both the Physical, and Occupational Therapy programs are funded by the Ministry of Children and Family Development. There are no fees for these services.

For more information, please contact Hanna Nagtegaal by phone 1-778-346-9023 or by e-mail hanna.nagtegaal@rivercityinclusion.ca

Supported Child Development Program (SCDP)

Together with families, daycares, preschools, and other community professionals, Supported Child Development ensures that children, birth to 19 years of age, can be included fully in childcare settings of the families’ choice.  Consultation services, and in some cases extra staffing assistance, are provided to ensure inclusive practices for children who have a demonstrated need for extra support.

Supported Child Development also provides training and workshops for childcare staff and parents and operates a toy and book lending library.

Supported Child Development is funded by the Ministry of Children and Family Development. There are no fees for these services.

For more information, please contact Debbie Deneka-Stansell by phone 1-778-346-9031 or by e-mail debbie.deneka-stansell@rivercityinclusion.ca

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Keyworker (FASD)

The Keyworker assists families in understanding FASD by providing education and information specific to the needs of the child and family. They are familiar with community resources, assist families in accessing supports, health, and education services, and are involved in the development of local support services. They also provide emotional and practical support to families.

The Keyworker recognizes that each family is unique and understand their role as one that builds on a family’s strengths. In response to the child’s needs, they work with parents, caregivers, family members and service providers to identify ways to adapt the child to their environment, while striving to empower the family to become their own best advocates for the child.

The FASD Keyworker is funded by the Ministry of Children and Family Development. There are no fees for these services.

For more information, please contact Sheila Catherwood by phone 1-778-346-9029 or by e-mail sheila.catherwood@rivercityinclusion.ca

Community Access Services (CAS)

Community Access Services (CAS) are programs for youth with diverse abilities between the ages of twelve to eighteen, providing supports with facilitating peer relationships, community integration, and accessing local community resources.

  • provide direct assistance in skill development for youth with diverse abilities.
  • guide and empower participants by means of effective modeling.
  • provide a safe and emotionally secure environment in which the individual is treated with dignity and respect.
  • support and nurture self-esteem by encouraging positive self-image.
  • plan activities that are designed with the individual(s) needs, challenges, and wants in mind. 
  • facilitate activities such that goals of the family and youth are met.
  • recognize families as the experts on their youth and to seek their input in meeting their youth’s needs.
  • offer leisure and recreational activities whereby the youth will be challenged creatively, and fulfilled so they may reach their fullest potential.
  • support transition to adult services, when applicable.

These programs provide opportunities for our youth to participate in various leisure and recreational activities such as crafts, cooking, health and physical fitness, outdoor activities, tours, and special events in the community. Activities are selected to help enhance various skills and encourage socialization in a relaxed and enjoyable setting.  Hours of operation are after school Tuesdays or Wednesdays, and every second Friday for three hours each.

The Community Access Services program is funded by the Ministry of Children and Family Development. There are no fees for these services.

Eligibility : the program is designed for youth between 12 and 18 years of age who meet the criteria outlined in the MCFD’s eligibility for Autism Programs, or, the criteria outlined in the MCFD’s At Home Program. Those interested in participating in the CAS program must be referred by their Children and Youth with Support Needs (CYSN) Worker through the Ministry (MCFD).

For more information, please contact Liz Whyte by phone 1-778-236-9030 or e-mail elizabeth.whyte@rivercityinclusion.ca

Wish to make a referral?

As a parent or legal guardian, you may contact us directly using the referral form below, or you may be referred by a Doctor, Public Health Nurse or Community Professional.

*Community Access Services (CAS) has different eligibility.  Please refer to program description.

Submit Referral Form