Aboriginal Supported Child Development

The ASCD program is primarily a consultant service with a purpose of enabling children who require extra supports to be included in childcare settings and communities. The program has been specifically tailored to meet the needs of aboriginal children who may require extra support in the following areas (but not limited to):

• Physical development
• Cognitive development
• Communication development
• Social/emotional development
• Behavior

The ASCD integrates with other Friendship House programs in order to provide consulting services. For instance, the ASCD consultant supports the staff at Kaien Island Daycare Services by mentoring and role modeling during their daily curriculum throughout the calendar year. The consultant also directs a youth worker who provides support to youth in the ways of physical activity and through the Boys Club for boys from the ages of 7 to 9.

The consultant also provides outreach to communities such as Kitkatla and Lax Kw'alaams in the form of general developmental consultation and the development/implementation of the inclusive programs for children from the ages of 6 to 19 that have complex developmental needs.