Support Services Program
Aboriginal Supported Childhood Development (ASCD)
Aboriginal Supported Child Development (ASCD) is a provincially funded program that is designed to specifically meet the needs of children who require additional support. ASCD Programs are developed with cultural values, beliefs and traditions in mind.
The Sto:lo Nation Supported Childhood Development Program works in partnership with families and child care providers in the Chilliwack, Abbotsford and Mission areas both affiliated and non – affiliated with Stó:lō Nation Society
ASCD provides support for aboriginal children age 0 – 18 (primarily focusing on 0-6) identified with a developmental delay or disability. Children receiving services must be attending preschool, after school care, or Head Start Program.
Children Supported by ASCD
Aboriginal Supported Child Development provides culturally appropriate support services to children with special needs in the following domains:
- Physical
- Cognitive
- Communicative
- Social
- Emotional
- Behavioral
Aboriginal children who are residents of BC are eligible for ASCD. Children should meet the following three criteria:
- Child is between 0-19
- Child has at least one developmental delay or disability in Physical, Cognitive, Communicative, or Social/Emotional/Behavioral areas.
- Child requires additional support in a childcare setting.
Family Centered Philosophy
Families can include birth, extended, adopted, and foster families. Aboriginal families can be living on or off reserve. There is no cost for this service.
- Family know their child best and are a valuable information source
- Families have the right to respect and confidentiality
- Families will be respected for their diversity, strengths and needs
- Families are valuable and equal members of the team that supports their child
- Families should be provided the opportunity to facilitate the services for their child
- Families should have choices and are the decision makers for their child
- Families can change their minds about services or deny services and be respected
- Families should have support that will adjust with changes in their lives
Referral Process
Children may be referred to the ASCD program by:
- Parents or Guardians
- Infant Development Consultants
- Child Care Providers
- Public Health Nurses
- Social Workers
- Physicians
- Therapists
Referral Forms may be obtained by contacting the Stó:lō Nation Supported Child Development Program.
How ASCD Provides Support
After receiving a referral to our program from a parent or caregiver, the parent or guardian will be contacted by a consultant to arrange for an Intake & Orientation. This will be the first step in determining how we will be able to assist you and your child.
The program staff will provide support through:
- Practicing family centered care;
- Working together with family members and professionals in the best interests of the child;
- Providing useful information about child care options;
- Sharing information about child care providers and community members;
- Advocating for services to meet individual needs;
Where Support is Provided
Support takes place in:
- Preschool settings and Head Start programs for children 3 to 5 years
- Daycare, family child care or After school care
- In a child’s home under exceptional circumstances when a child’s support needs otherwise prevent him from participating in a childcare setting.
Types of Support offered by ASCD:
- Occasional Support- training, support and consultation with the child care centre by the consultant, no additional staff required
- Frequent Support- training, support and consultation with the child care centre by the consultant, short-term or shared support from a Support Worker.
- On-going Support- training, support and consultation with the child care centre by the consultant, 1 on 1 support provided by Support Worker.
Services Available from ASCD:
- Assistance finding childcare
- Support and consultation with families and childcare programs
- Individual planning
- Extra staffing support if needed in childcare setting
- Training and support for families and childcare providers
- Assistance accessing other community resources
- Developmental screening and assessments at the request of the family
- Toy and equipment lending library
Click here to download the Aboriginal Supported Childhood Development (ASCD) brochure.
How to Contact ASCD:
Stó:lō Nation – Aboriginal Supported Child Development Program |
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| Address: | Bldg. # 7 – 7201 Vedder Road, Chilliwack, BC |
| Phone: | 604-824-3276 |
| Toll Free: | 1-877-411-3200 |
| Fax: | 604-824-5129
|
Addictions Prevention Counselling is available to all on reserve residents of the communities that are members of the Health Transfer Agreement. They are able to provide (One on one counseling, Group Facilitation, Informational Workshops, Referrals to Residential Treatment Centers, Support for family members, Crisis Counseling & Youth Addictions)
Contract Therapy and Crisis Counseling
The First Nations and Inuit Health Branch contracted Stó:lō Nation to provide mental health counseling to off reserve clients located within the catchment area from Langley to Yale. Stó:lō Nation has contracts with ten therapists in the Mission, Abbotsford and Chilliwack areas who are approved by FNIHB to provide short-term crisis counseling. Community members can access this service by contacting the Health Intake Counselor. This program is available to all First Nations with status living off reserve.
Aboriginal Support and Critical Incident Response Team
The purpose of the Aboriginal Support and Critical Incident Response Team program is to identify service providers and community members who are interested in expanding their knowledge in Aboriginal Youth Suicide Prevention. Once individuals are identified the Aboriginal Support and Critical Incident Response Team Coordinator will then set up training and provide the training opportunity to participants. The training offered will expand all participating individual’s knowledge in regards to Aboriginal youth suicide prevention procedures.
It is also the Aboriginal Support & Critical Incident Response Team Coordinators responsibility to network with surrounding agencies and create a resource booklet to be handed out to services providers in attendance at the training opportunities.
The purpose of the Aboriginal Youth Suicide Awareness Training is to inform service providers as well as community members on the procedures that should be taken when someone is facing a situation involving a suicidal youth.
The Aboriginal Youth Suicide Awareness Training opportunity is being hosted by the Sto:lo Nation Support Services – Aboriginal Support and Critical Incident Response Team Program.
Funding for the Aboriginal Support and Critical Incident Response Team Program is being provided by Health Canada and The First Nations Summit Society.
Sto:lo Nation Health Support Services Team is excited to be able to provide this training free of charge to services providers and community members interested in expanding their knowledge of what the procedures are when facing a situation involving a suicidal youth.
There will be a variety of presentations geared towards prevention as well as aftercare of situations involving suicide.
If you require more information please contact Stephanie Villeneuve @ 604-824-3200
Day Treatment Program
This program is sponsored in part by Fraser Health and is part of a continuum of health and wellness services and program offered by Stó:lō Health. In partnership with Community Corrections, the Substance Abuse Management Program (SAM) is integrated with the Day Treatment Program that focuses on traditional and wellness practices of aboriginal people. It is also a good alternative to residential treatment for those who do not want to leave home and family or are not ready for a residential treatment center.
Goal
- To empower First Nations people to live healthier lifestyles and gain strength from their rich cultural heritage and spirituality.
Objectives
- Education – about substance misuse and its effects and individual recovery strategies
- Group Support – sharing and caring provides encouragement that you are not alone
- Life Skills – teach new ways to cope with life's challenges
- Build on Strength – participants learn to value their gifts, self-worth and inner strengths
- Relapse prevention – by making better choices and learning to say no to alcohol and drugs
Guidelines for Participation
- Confidentiality; respect and sharing makes this a safe place to learn and grow
- Have an active commitment to work on changes for recovery
- Be willing to develop new habits for physical, mental, emotional and spiritual well being.
- request
Participants need to complete a referral form with Val Pentz (Intake Worker) 604-824-3200. All participants for Day Treatment must have a TB Test done. We generally arrange a date for this test at the Health Building.
All referrals will be contacted approximately 2 weeks prior to a group starting. They will be informed of the above dates, as well as the date of TB Testing. If workers have a release of information with their clients, please forward a copy to us, so that we do not duplicate this. Thank you.
If you have any questions, contact Eddie Gardner (Facilitator) 604-824-3222 or
Betsy Ritchie (Program Assistant) at 604-824-3221. This program is open to people on and off reserve in the Sto:lo territory (Hope to Langley)
Click here to download the 2010 Day Treatment Program schedule.
Aboriginal Mental Health Liaison
The Aboriginal Mental Health Liaison Worker can assist you in accessing Mental Health Services from Burnaby to Boston Bar and achieves this through:
- Public Awareness Activities
- Workshops/ Information Session/ Education & Training
- Support Groups
- Case Management & Advocacy
- Referrals
- Traditional Aboriginal Healing & Wellness
- Other Aboriginal Cultural Awareness & Resources Workshops, Education & Training Sessions and Support Groups can be designed to reflect your community's specific need. If you would like any of the workshops in your community please contact Stó:lō Nation Health Services.
Fraser Health Mental Health After Hours Service:
The purpose of this service is to provide clinical support and referrals for individuals experiencing a mental health crisis outside of regular Mental Health and Addiction Centre hours. Any individual who is experiencing a mental health crisis who resides in Abbotsford, Agassiz, Anmore, Belcarra, Burnaby, Chilliwack, Coquitlam, Delta, Hope, Langley, Mission, Maple Ridge, New Westminster, Port Coquitlam, Port Moody, Surrey, South Surrey, or White Rock is eligible.
It is also available to friends, family members, mental health workers, doctors, etc. looking for advice regarding someone in crisis. Please see attached for full brochure on services, times, and crisis lines. For more information, visit the Mental Health section on the Fraser Health website.
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