Child development centres for families with children from birth to age six in the Tri-Cities are joining forces to ensure no family falls through the cracks.
This month the Tri-Cities Early Years Centre will be launched at 20 neighbourhood sites, giving families equal access to parenting information and resources no matter where they live.
"We're coordinating what our parents are identifying at these sites as the things they want to learn more about," said Sheila McFadzean, of Share Family and Community Services, the organization taking the lead on the project with $50,00 in funding from the provincial government.
The emphasis of the Tri-Cities Early Years Centre is to support local families and reach out to those who may need support but may not be aware of programs and services available locally.
"We know from the Early Development Instrument [which kindergarten teachers fill out to gauge child development] there are neighbourhoods that are more vulnerable than others or where there's a greater degree of vulnerability.
"We're trying to provide the idea of the early years centre network. There are centres like this in many areas of the Tri-Cities. We want to give them some profile that there are services in an area close by where they live."
The sites that are now networked include 13 StrongStart Centres at School District 43 elementary schools, as well as Share at Mountain View elementary, Place Maillardville in Coquitlam, Step-by-Step Child Development Society, SUCCESS, Tri-City Family Place in Port Coquitlam and Coquitlam and the Circle of Friends program run by the YMCA Child Care Resource and Referral Centre.
Local partners also involved include the Tri-Cities Early Childhood Development Committee, School District 43, Ministry of Children and Family Development, municipal governments, libraries and local non-profit agencies.
An agreement signed by the centres this summer promises services at each site that include play-based learning, age-appropriate toys and activities, healthy snacks and access to parent education with topics determined by parents.
McFadzean said Share is also looking for parent volunteers who would help out at the centres and reach out to new parents. An eight-week training program for volunteers is offered.
To inquire about being a volunteer, email Supriya Bhattacharyya at [email protected]. For more information about the Tri-Cities Early Years Centre, visit www.sharesociety.ca
