Through a range of in-home and community based services, the Early Childhood Development Programs help build parental capacity to support the healthy development of children beginning prenatally and through their early years.
Services are offered in the communities of the North Thompson valley from McClure through to Blue River and most recently, Lillooet. Please download our fillable and printable ECD referral form if you, or someone you support, is interested in our services.
Please note that you do not need to complete the referral form to participate in the drop in programs. Just join in when you can!
The Prenatal and Early Years Home Visiting Program provides home visits to pregnant individuals or parents of children under school age. This program provides information about healthy living and how to develop secure, nurturing relationships with infants and children.
Parents work with the Home Visitor to develop personal and family goals, support networks and strong parenting skills to create healthy, safe & secure home environments for children. The Home Visitor can also provide:
This program is available in the North Thomson Valley from McClure through to Blue River. Please use the referral form at the top of the page to access this service. This program is free to families and is funded by the Province of British Columbia.
Outcome Measurement Reports for our programs are available for you to download and read 2023 Annual HV Report
Robyn Lane Phone: 250.674.2600 ext. 224 Email: Robyn Lane Address: 612 Park Drive, Clearwater, BC V0E 1N1
The Supported Child Development Program (SCDP) helps families whose children need extra support to access community settings, like daycare. Typically we work with children under 12 years but services may be available for older children.
Supported Child Development operates under the principles of inclusion and family-centered practices and uses a multi-disciplinary team approach. Parents may self-refer or come from community service providers including child care settings.
We believe that:
Inclusion means:
Families know their children best and have the right and responsibility to make choices in the best interest of their children and to have those choices respected. We honor the family as a whole and work collaboratively with families to meet their unique needs.
Some of the supports we provide are :
This program is available in the North Thompson Valley from McClure through to Blue River. Please use the referral form at the top of the page to access this service.
This program is free to families and is funded by the Province of British Columbia.
Outcome Measurement Reports for our programs are available for you to download and read 2023 Annual SCD Report
Kerry Milner-Cairns Phone: 250.674.3530 Email: Kerry Milner-Cairns Address: 612 Park Drive, Clearwater, BC V0E 1N1
Playgroups are a free and fun drop in program for young children and their families to socialize, have a healthy snack, play games, make crafts and participate in other age-appropriate activities. Our friendly Playgroup Facilitators provide a casual but structured setting with weekly themes and we offer this program in multiple locations throughout the North Thompson including Barriere (called Weekly Family Drop In), Squam Bay, Clearwater, Vavenby and Blue River. Come join the fun!
Clearwater: Tuesdays, 9:30-11:30 at the Dutch Lake Community Centre. Summer sessions are usually outdoors at various locations in the community. Contact us for a current schedule.
Vavenby: Twice a month on Thursdays, 9:30-11:30 at the Vavenby Elementary School. No summer sessions. Contact us for current schedule.
Blue River: Twice a month at the Blue River Elementary School. Contact us for current schedule. No summer sessions.
Outcome Measurement Reports for our programs are available for you to download and read 2023 Annual EYSP Report
The Autism Services program offers behaviour consultation and intervention services to families with a child diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) from infancy to age 19. We work collaboratively with you and your child's team to create plans that address your priorities and target a wide range of skill development in a variety of home and community settings.
Our team consists of a Behaviour Consultant who is registered on the RASP (Registry of Autism Service Providers) who will oversee the plans and guide our Behaviour Interventionist, who will work directly with you and your child.
Our Infant Development Consultant works with families who have worries that their child is not reaching milestones such as sitting, playing with toys walking or talking.
Families work with the consultant to develop goals that encourage development of physical, emotional, language and cognitive skills. Parents are their child's best teacher and making the most of the first three years is critical. Together we find ways to support learning through a range of fun play based activities.
The IDP Consultant can also complete assessments, provide home visits and support families in group settings.
The program is free to families and is funded by the Province of British Columbia.
Outcome Measurement Reports for our programs are available for you to download and read 2023 Annual IDP Report
Yellowhead Community Services Society is proud to now offer FASD Key Worker Services. Our FASD Key Worker provides supports to families of children with suspected or confirmed fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) as well as complex developmental behavioural conditions (CDBC) and similar neurodevelopment conditions. Our Key worker works alongside parents and caregivers to provide support, stability, advocacy, educating, building community connections and inclusion. We aim to build upon the child’s strengths and success.
Our FASD Key Worker program serves children and youth up until their 19th birthday who reside in the North Thompson Valley. If your child is experiencing behavioural challenges which effect their day to day life, if you’re experiencing heightened family stress, if you’re looking for community resources and don’t know where to look, or which services is right for you and your family then this is the program for you.
By using a collaborative, trauma informed and family centered approach our Key Worker will develop a service plan which will focus on the needs/goals of your family and child. We also provide supports that work towards increasing understanding of FASD and CDBC and offer ongoing emotional and practical support to you. Our goal is to create a more harmonious household and help to support keeping families together.
This service is a free program funded by the Ministry of Children and Families. Referrals can be made by parents/caregivers, school personnel, physicians, and other community professionals. For more information or to send a referral please contact our program manager below. FASD Referral Form