|
Supported
Child Development
What
is Supported Child Development?
Supported
Child Development (SCDP) is a
community-based program that assists
families of children with extra support
needs to access inclusive child care that
meets family needs.
The program is intended to serve
children from birth to 12, with services for
youth 13 – 19 years available in some
communities.
SCDP
provides the following services to support
children, families, and child care
providers:
- Individual
planning to promote each child’s
development
- Training
and information for families and child
care providers to help each child’s
development
- Resources
such as books, toys and specialized
equipment
- Referrals
to other services such as therapists or
specialists
- Where
necessary, additional staffing to ensure
that children may participate fully with
their peers.
SCDP
operates under the principles of inclusion
and family centred practice.
SCDP uses a multi-disciplinary team
approach.
Parents may self-refer, or with
parent consent, referrals may come from
other service providers. The service is
voluntary and free of charge.
Approximately
6000 children per year access SCDP services.
The program is funded by the Ministry
of Children and Family Development.
How
does the Supported Child Development Program
work?
SCDP
professionals offer planning, assessment,
training, resources and hands-on support to
successfully include children with extra
support needs in typical child care
settings.
SCDP
is a family centred program that is
voluntary and free of charge. Parents
may self-refer or, with parent permission,
referrals may come from community
professionals such as Infant Development
Consultants, Speech Language Pathologists,
Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists,
Family Doctors,
Public Health Nurses and Social Workers.
SCDP
programs have Local Advisory Committees
(LACs) that involve parents and other key
community and government partners in program
planning, decision-making, and service
delivery. A Provincial Steering
Committee has been established to provide
guidance and support at a provincial level.
For more
information about the Supported Child
Development Program, click
here to go to the Supported Child
Development Program Policy and Procedures
Manual (Feb 2005).
How
do I find a Supported Child Development
Program in my community?
Supported
Child Development is offered through
community agencies. To find your
nearest Supported Child Development program click
here to find a map of British Columbia
that shows all of the Supported Child
Development programs in the province. Follow
the links to find contact information for
each program. You may also contact
your local Ministry for Children and Family
Development (MCFD) office.
Who
provides funding for SCD?
The
Ministry of Children and Family Development
(MCFD) is responsible for funding for
Supported Child Development Programs.
The Ministry contracts with community
agencies to deliver Supported Child
Development services.
What
is the Special Needs Supplement?
A
Special Needs Supplement (up to $150) is
available for parents of children designated
with special needs who are eligible for
child care subsidy. This supplement will
help children with special needs access
inclusive child care settings. See
MCFD note.
|
