News

News Release: Celebrate our 45th Anniversary!

November 19, 2024

FOR RELEASE

November 14, 2024

Child Development Centre to celebrate its 45th anniversary

The Child Development Centre (CDC) is celebrating its 45th anniversary with free events for families at the Canada Games Centre on November 20. The CDC is sponsoring Families on the Move from 9 to 11:30 AM and the Family Swim from 11 AM to 1 PM. Families do not need to pay an admission fee for these specific drop-in activities.

The CDC is a non-governmental organization which provides services to support children’s development from birth to kindergarten entry. Therapists and staff at the centre work with children and families to provide therapeutic support in the areas of movement, speech/communication, social-emotional, behaviour, sleeping, eating, toileting and sensitivities to sound and touch. 

In November 1979, the CDC began offering services out of a trailer located behind Selkirk Elementary School. The centre opened with two employees and provided services to less than a dozen kids. Now the CDC has an accessible building in downtown Whitehorse, employs more than 50 people and provides services to more than 1300 children a year. Permanent employees also currently work out of Dawson City and Watson Lake.

In addition to its main location at 206 Hanson Street, the CDC also provides services out of Kwanlin Dün First Nation’s Dusk’a Head Start Family Learning Centre, located in the McIntyre Subdivision of Whitehorse. As well, therapists travel to every Yukon community to provide services.

Over the years the CDC has expanded to help meet the needs of local families. In addition to offering speech-language therapy, occupational therapy, physiotherapy and developmental therapy/play therapy; the centre also employs psychologists, a diagnostic coordinator (for Autism Spectrum Disorder and Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder) and Early Learning Program Support staff who work alongside child care programs with a focus on inclusive childcare and practices. The position of Family Partner was also recently added.

Quotes

“We’re excited to be celebrating 45 years of providing services to Yukon children. We know when it comes to child development, early intervention makes a huge difference, and over the years we have continuously adapted and expanded our services to meet the needs of children and their families. We hope families can come out and enjoy the free activities we have sponsored at the Canada Games Centre.”

– Child Development Centre executive director Alayne Squair

Additional Facts

• Child Development Centre services are free and confidential. Referrals do not need to be made by a physician or health care provider. Parents and caregivers can make a referral themselves at cdcyukon.ca/referral or by calling 867-456-8182.
• In addition to specific therapies, the CDC offers a Follow Along Program for children from birth to three years old and their parents or caregivers. It is a chance to learn about development milestones and what to expect next as a child grows.
• Staff can provide services out of the CDC building, in homes, childcare centres or in other locations in the community.

Related Information

45th Anniversary Event - Facebook 

 

Contact

Michelle Boleen

Communications and Policy Advisor

867-456-8182 ext. 153

michelle.boleen@cdcyukon.ca