TABLE OF CONTENTS

The Central Okanagan Child Development Association  (COCDA) is a charitable non-profit organization dedicated to serving children with special needs from birth to school entry age.

• A volunteer Board of Directors consisting of both parents and community members is responsible for the overall operation of the Association.

• Our goal is to provide early intervention services through a family- centered approach that emphasizes the strengths and capabilities of the child and family.

We are supported by the Ministry of Children and Family Development, United Way of Central & South Okanagan, Gaming Revenue, Central Okanagan Foundation, local fundraising and tax-deductible donations.  Fundraising and donations provide specialized equipment and toys, and assist with the general operation of the centre.

Who May Refer

• Anyone may refer a child for services as long as the legal guardian has given verbal or written permission.

What Happens Next

• In order to know what is important to your family, we begin by scheduling an initial meeting with you to discuss your child’s birth and developmental history, what your child does well, and how your child needs help.  Together we develop an action plan to address these needs.  As changes occur, we rely on you to speak to the individual staff members involved about changes in your child or family’s needs.

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Most services are provided wherever your child and family are most comfortable – at your home, daycare, preschool, our centre or in other community settings.  The aim is to make intervention accessible to all families and to provide opportunities to develop and practice skills in the child’s natural environment.

The COCDA delivers services based on a family-centered model.  This means that the family is the primary decision-maker for the child.  We recognize that parents know their child best and that the family is the greatest resource in providing the best intervention.  As such, parents are seen as an integral part of the team.  Every family is unique and schedules/availability can affect the level of involvement. 

The COCDA is sensitive to the fact that parent/caregiver participation and involvement will depend on a variety of variables.  We will do our best to structure services so that parents are able to participate as team members as much as is possible and suitable for the family.

Some of the principles of family-centered practice include:

•  Parents are key members of the intervention team.

• Parent’s identified concerns, goals and priorities determine the development of the support plan and targeted outcomes.

•  Parents are provided complete and unbiased information in order to help them when making decisions about the care of their child.

• Parents receive copies of all reports.

•  Team meetings are scheduled based on the needs of the child and the family.  Families can request a team meeting at any time.  Scheduling is planned to minimize disruption to the family and child’s routines.

• Recommended strategies are tailored to fit the family’s lifestyle in order to minimize stress.

• Information and support are made available to assist families to connect with other families and support systems.

• Your team members at the COCDA will work collaboratively with any or all professionals in the community who are actively providing support and services to your child and family.  Very often your child may receive services from an inter-agency team to ensure that all areas of need are being addressed.

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• We provide you with information about your child’s level of functioning so you may understand where your child is now and what skill(s) may be expected next.

• We provide you with strategies to help achieve your goals, which may involve breaking a skill into simpler steps, providing equipment or adaptations of existing equipment, toys, etc. 

• We can help with the organization of meetings and we will provide support for your family and other caregivers.

You, the parent/guardian are the most important member of the team.

• You are the expert on your own child and your input is important to us.  You are encouraged to share information about your child that would help us gain a clear understanding of your child’s level of function and to be involved in the goal setting, planning and implementation of programs for your child. Please ask questions about your child’s assessments and the suggestions provided.  Please ensure that programs and strategies are workable for your family and give feedback on their effectiveness and any areas of concern.  It is very important that you carry out the programs and specific strategies provided. 

• Play is the medium used by paediatric therapists and service providers.  It is a highly motivating and natural activity for all children.  Education and involvement of the family is a primary consideration and is critical for success.

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Various disciplines make up the Early Intervention Team.   The needs of your child and family will determine which team members will be working with your child and your family.  As the needs of your child and family change, different team members may become involved in working with your child and family.

Your COCDA INTERVENTION TEAM may include:

INFANT DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM  (birth to 3^rd birthday)

• The Infant Development Program is a home based, community orientated program for children who are either at risk for developmental delay or who have identified delays. A family-centered service is used to encourage positive parent child interactions and to facilitate the child's progress. To foster secure attachment and developmental accomplishment, parents are supported in recognizing their infant's cues and responding in ways that promote a sense of security in their infant.

BEHAVIOUR INTERVENTION PROGRAM

• The Behaviour Intervention Program provides behaviour intervention for children diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Children under the age of six are eligible for services from the Early Intensive Behaviour Intervention (EIBI) program OR the Under Six Program . The  programs vary in terms of funding and direct intervention hours, as well as other services that may be included such as SLP and OT.

• A variety of teaching strategies are used to facilitate skill development across developmental domains.  Strategies used may include discrete trial, natural and incidental teaching procedures.  Services provided in the behaviour intervention programs are based on the principles and research findings in the social learning and behaviour theory research field. 

• These principles have been proven effective in promoting communication, cognition, play, social, self-help, fine and gross motor skills.  Program delivery typically takes place in the family home; however services are delivered in community and early learning settings when appropriate.  The program is committed to identifying each child’s individual strengths and needs, and builds skills and competencies using a positive and collaborative approach.

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SUPPORTED CHILD DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM

• The Supported Child Development Program (SCD) is intended for children who require extra support to be included in a community early child care centre.  The completion of a Support Guide and evidence of a developmental delay or disability in physical, cognitive, communicative or social/emotional/behavioural areas is required.  Inclusive community  child care settings can include group daycare programs, preschool programs, family day homes and out-of-school group programs.

The Supported Child Development Program:

• Assists families in finding child care settings.

• Monitors child’s participation and consults as needed to help facilitate child’s inclusion.

• Coordinates and consults with parents, child care staff and team members to develop individual program plans.

Extra supports might also include:

• Child specific training

• Extra staffing

• Assessment

• Training and support for community child care staff

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OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY 

• Occupational Therapy addresses function and promotes independence through skill development, and adaptation of activities, equipment or the environment.

• Occupational areas of focus are self-care (activities of daily living), productivity  (learning and educational activities) and leisure (play). Occupational Therapy also addresses the functional abilities required for daily living such as, motor, sensory, cognition and psychosocial performance areas.  Deficits or delays in these performance areas may be addressed by OT intervention. Occupational Therapists are registered with the College of Occupational Therapy of British Columbia.

Getting To Know Your Child

As a first step the OT may:

• Ask you to share knowledge of your child’s development.

• Observe your child in everyday activities.

• Play with your child.

• Complete developmental checklists.

• Use standardized assessments in selected skill areas.

Occupational Therapists Have A Special Interest In:

• How children use their bodies, especially arms and hands to control and manipulate objects. Consequently, play activities involving the use of fine motor skills are often the focus.

• Children’s visual and perceptual skills; how they coordinate their eyes and hands; and how they manage the space around themselves including how they process and respond to sensory information.

• Play Skills - learning appropriate use of toys, learning to play independently and with others.

• Children’s response to learning opportunities and how they best learn and organize activities.

• Children’s interests, coping behaviours, self-image and their ability to pay attention and socialize with others.

• Self care skills such as dressing, toileting, feeding, sleeping and personal hygiene.

• The adaptation of equipment or the provision of technical aids, which may help to maximize independence.

• Safety Awareness.

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INFORMATION

• You have the right to information regarding your child and his or her involvement with the COCDA

• All records regarding your child are yours to view.  All written reports regarding your child will be sent to you and shared only with those you have provided consent for release of information

• The right to information also includes information about additional community services for your child.

• You have the right to receive information in a language that you understand.  An interpreter may be present on your behalf.

• You have the right to bring in an interpreter if you feel it is needed.

• You have the right to be informed of assessment tools and procedures that will be used to assess your child.

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CULTURAL AND/OR RELIGIOUS BELIEFS

Please express any values, morals or beliefs that you feel should be noted by the COCDA staff that may determine delivery of service or development of individual programs.

FAMILY ROUTINE

• You have the right to service that is supportive of your family routine.

• We are committed to providing service that is not too disruptive to your child and your family.  We will endeavor to accommodate individual family needs.

• Visits typically take place at the centre, in your home or in a childcare setting unless otherwise arranged.

• Frequency and length of visits will take into account family needs and will be confirmed with you in advance.

REQUESTING INFORMATION

• You have the right to request information and support in connecting with other families and support systems.

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PLANNING / TEAM MEETINGS

• You have the right to be included in all planning regarding your child.

• COCDA staff work closely with parents/caregivers to identify and prioritize program objectives.  You may be asked to participate in team meetings and provide information for intake and assessment purposes.

• Families can request a team meeting at any time.  This collaborative approach is to ensure integration of services and provide the opportunity for exchange of information.  Our goal is to ensure that families remain informed and in control of decisions regarding their child.

RISKS INVOLVED WITH TREATMENT
You have the right to be informed of any risks involved with treatment or intervention used in your child’s program. 
 

CASELOADS AND WAITLISTS

• You have the right to be informed about current caseload size and capacity.

• Each program/service has caseloads of varying size and priorities for service.  Your program service provider will provide waitlist information.  It is a goal of the COCDA that waitlists are kept to a minimum; however, it is a reality that the number of children referred for service generally exceeds program capacity.

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REFUSAL OF SERVICE

You have the right to refuse service.

• You may refuse any service or intervention.  COCDA staff is obliged to advise you of any potential risks associated with refusal or discontinuation of services.

INDIVIDUALIZED SERVICE

You have the right to individualized service.

• Programs delivered through the COCDA are individualized after assessing of each child’s strengths and needs.

TRAINED, QUALIFIED STAFF

You have the right to trained, qualified staff.

• COCDA guarantees that employees are qualified and have appropriate training and/or experience to provide services within their program.

• All employees are subject to criminal record checks.

• Your Service provider will share their professional background, qualifications and related experience during the initial home visit.

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CANCELLATIONS

You have the responsibility to advise your service provider if you are canceling an appointment.

• Please provide as much notice as possible if you are unable to keep or make an appointment. 

• We understand that last minute cancellations are sometimes unavoidable.  When canceling an appointment with more than 24 hours notice, you may advise the staff directly or leave a message on his or her voice mail.  If less than 24 hours notice is provided, contact the Center directly so that the front desk receptionist is able to contact the staff in the community if necessary.

DUE TO ILLNESS

• You are responsible for notifying COCDA staff member(s) working with your child if you, your child or any other family member in your home has had recent exposure to or if they are experiencing symptoms of flu or other illness (e.g. measles, chicken pox, pink eye etc).    A decision to continue or reschedule the session or home visit will be made.  Our staff is in constant contact with other children and we do not wish to pass any illness to them.

• COCDA staff members also have the responsibility to cancel an appointment if they are ill.

   MISSED APPOINTMENTS

• If a family misses three appointments without cancellation we assume they are no longer interested in our service.  A letter will be sent informing the family that their child will be discharged from that program and a new referral will be necessary to reactivate services.  If there is a waitlist for the program, the child will be placed on that wait list.  The new referral date will indicate placement on the waitlist and reentry to the program.

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PROGRAM EQUIPMENT & RESOURCES

• Families are responsible for any equipment/material that is borrowed from the COCDA.  Any material borrowed from the Centre must be returned within the stated loan period in its original condition.  If material/equipment or other resources is damaged or lost, the borrower will be expected to cover replacement cost or a portion of the cost.  Each individual program will have their own resource materials for borrowing.

•  Individual programs will provide you with additional information regarding your role/responsibilities that may vary depending on the nature and delivery of the service.

With your consent, you will periodically receive a parent survey from the COCDA and/or individual programs.  This is designed to allow families the opportunity to provide feedback.   All information is confidential

Families have the right to express concerns with the assurance that their child’s services will not be jeopardized.   If your family is unhappy with the services it is receiving from a specific staff member, the following steps are recommended:

• Discuss concerns with the staff member involved.

• If your family continues to have difficulty finding a solution with that individual staff member, you may speak with the appropriate Program Supervisor.

• If the conflict has not been resolved within 30 days by these means, a conference with the Executive Director may be arranged.

• If your family’s complaint is about professional practice issues, you will be referred to the appropriate professional association.

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Four dedicated volunteers – Dorothy Deakin, Ruth Cresswell, B.M. Lambert and Dr. C.B. Henderson, formed the Central Okanagan Child Development Association, formally known as the Okanagan Neurological Association, in 1966.

It is through such dedication of board members and volunteers that the Association has grown to its current size and can provide the programming to assist families of children with special needs.

If you are interested in more details about becoming a board member or volunteer, please contact our Executive Director at (250) 763-5100.
 

When your child is registered with the Central Okanagan Child Development  Association, you and your family will automatically  become   members of the COCDA unless we have been instructed otherwise.

The Central Okanagan Child Development Association welcomes all donations.   Cash donors will receive a tax-deductible receipt.   Donations in-kind are also acceptable; however, not all in-kind donations are subject to a tax-deductible receipt.   Please contact our Executive Director for more information.

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