0 TO 6 PROGRAMS
Aboriginal Head Start
Aboriginal Head Start (AHS) is a Health Canada-funded early childhood development program for First Nations, Inuit and Métis children and their families. The primary goal of the initiative is to demonstrate that locally controlled and designed early intervention strategies can provide Aboriginal children with a positive sense of themselves, a desire for learning, and opportunities to develop fully as successful young people.
Qwallayuw Head Start Preschool Program provides two half-day sessions four days a week that prepare young Aboriginal children for their school years by meeting their spiritual, emotional, intellectual and physical needs. They provide programming in six core areas: education and school readiness, Aboriginal culture and language, parental involvement, health promotion, nutrition and social support.
Qwallayux Head Start Registration Program 2022
Aboriginal Infant Development Program
Aboriginal Infant Development Consultants works together with families to support the growth and development of aboriginal children during their most important years of development from birth to six years old.
The first three years of life is the most important time during a baby’s growth and brain development. A baby’s brain is developed approximately 85% by the age of three and is dependent on the experiences they receive (Dr. Bruce Perry, Child Trauma Academy). Early experiences and bonding relationships received provide the foundation for healthy development.
Aboriginal Infant Development Consultants want to ensure that infants will receive the support needed through their most crucial years of development.
Our programs:
- focus on the child as a whole to include health, intellectual, emotional, physical and spiritual well-being;
- are culturally-safe whether a family lives on or off reserve;
- offer support for Aboriginal families and infants who are at risk of, or have a developmental delay;
- are voluntary, family-centered, and for children birth to 5 years of age;
- support families by providing home visits, activity planning and developmental screenings;
- recognizes the role of Elders and extended family in parenting;
- provides referrals to other health and social services as needed.
Little Fry Daycare
Little Fry Daycare is a licensed daycare for children 30 months to school-age (grade 1). Daycare hours of operation are Monday-Friday from 8:00 to 4:30. The daycare environment is created to encourage children’s learning about themselves and their world through;
- Play
- Exploration and discovery
- Circle times, stories, arts and crafts
- Socialization with peers, Elders and teachers
- Culture is the foundation of the program where young children learn the Kwakwala language daily.
We are a Seeds of Empathy site and use Moe the Mouse speech and language enhancement program regularly.
Health and nutrition are key factors in children’s overall development and at Little Fry Daycare, children have access to dental screening and varnishing, hearing clinics and referrals to support services. Nutritious snacks and lunches are provided daily following Health Canada’s Food Guide.
Speech & Language Program
Babies and young children grow, learn and change so quickly. These early years are an important time for learning to talk, listen and play with others.
A speech/language pathologist is someone who can help children:
- To say words clearly
- To use more words
- To use longer sentences
- To understand what other people are saying and follow directions
- To talk more smoothly (stuttering)
- To play with other children
- With hearing loss
- With feeding and swallowing difficulties
- With voice concerns (hoarseness)
Who do we see?
The Speech and Language Pathologist at Laichwiltach Family Life Society provides services to aboriginal children from birth to school entry (0-5 years). Areas served: Campbell River, Gold River, Sayward, Tahsis, Quadra Island, Cortes Island
Referrals
Anyone can make a referral to this program, including:
- Parents/caregivers
- Doctors/nurses
- Preschool/daycare staff
- Support staff
- Other professionals
We support speech and language development through play-based interactions
What services are available?
- Assessment
- Consultation
- Therapy
- In-services/Workshops
- Liaison with other professionals involved with the child and family
Every child and family situation is unique, so the services provided may look different for each child.
Where will services take place?
- Online via teletherapy
- At Laichwiltach Family Life Society
- Home visits
- Daycare visits
There is no charge for this service.
If you have questions or concerns about your child’s development, please call Michelle Cavin, Speech/Language Pathologist Assistant, at 250-201-2285.
Supported Child Development
Aboriginal Supported Child Development (ASCD) is a Provincial program, funded by the Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD) that is designed to specifically meet the needs of children with special needs. ASCD recognizes that inclusion and providing intervention and support in childcare settings during the early stages of development is important. ASCD programs are developed with cultural values, beliefs and traditions in mind.
The service targets Aboriginal children (newborn up to 18 years.) who require extra support in a childcare setting due to a development delay or disability in one of four areas: physical, cognitive, communication and/or social/emotional/behavioral.
Services available to families include:
- assistance in finding child care
- support and consultation with families and child care programs
- individual planning
- training and support for families and childcare providers
- assistance accessing other community resources
- development screening and assessment at the request of the family
- toy and equipment lending library.
Occupational Therapy Services
Our occupational therapy services provide family-centred care. We work with families in their homes, within the community including daycares and preschools and in our therapy environment at Laichwiltach Family Life Society. Occupational therapists work with children towards family identified goals through playful interactions, grading the activities so that the child can succeed. Occupational therapy service is geared toward an increase in social participation, self-regulation and developing motor skills. Early involvement leads to greater outcomes for the family and child.
Services are provided to aboriginal children birth to school age in the following areas:
- Gross and fine motor development (jumping, climbing, balancing, opening containers, zippers, drawing, scissor skills, hand strength)
- Development of pre-printing skills (how to hold a pencil, copying and imitating shapes and lines)
- Attention and organization (tools and supports for listening and learning)
- Body awareness, body scheme (understanding personal space, knowing where our bodies are in the environment)
- Low muscle tone, muscle strength
- Picky eating and development of feeding skills
- Motor planning and coordination (clumsy)
- Self-care skills (dressing, grooming, toileting)
- Visual perceptual skills and spatial awareness skills
- Global developmental delays
- Self-regulation (labeling and identifying emotions, exploring calming strategies)
- Sensory processing (understanding individual differences in how we process the information in the world around us- noise, touch, visual, body sensations)
Creating Healthier Families Program
The Community Action Plan for Children is funded by Public Health Agency of Canada and is a partnership between Tillicum Lelum Friendship Centre, Comox Valley Family Life Society, Mount Waddington and Campbell River Family Services and LFLS.
Our Creating Healthier Families group’s mission is to provide programs which support the well-being of children under the age of six and their families. We are committed to services which are family-driven, community-based and focused on strengths.
Our goal is to provide a safe support group for all parents to get together, support and learn from each other and have an opportunity to take extra tools (traditional and non-traditional) home.
Creating Healthier Families Program is designed to assist individuals, families and communities to create spiritually, physically, emotionally and mentally healthy children through a continuum of services to families-at-risk with children aged 0 to 6 years old.
Our programs:
- focus on the child as a whole to include health, intellectual, emotional, physical and spiritual well-being;
- are culturally-safe whether a family lives on or off reserve;
- offer support for Aboriginal families and infants who are at risk of, or have a developmental delay;
- are voluntary, family-centered, and for children birth to 5 years of age;
- support families by providing home visits, activity planning and developmental screenings;
- recognizes the role of Elders and extended family in parenting;
- provides referrals to other health and social services as needed.
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