Skip to main content

Because your voice matters.

Member, Supported Child Development Advisory Committee, Island Health

Posted • Last updated

Deadline: Open until filled

Open to Vancouver Island Region, Patient partners from Greater Victoria or the Southern Gulf Islands

Last updated

Does your child require Supported Child Development to attend preschool, daycare or afterschool care? Are you interested in helping to make the tough decisions about priorities for funding for the Supported Child Development Program?  If so, read on!

Open to: Patient partners from Greater Victoria or the Southern Gulf Islands

Lead Organization or Department

Supported Child Development Program, Island Health

Aim

The Supported Child Development Program (SCDP) Local Advisory Committee (LAC) provides advice and support to Island Health and its staff in the delivery of the SCDP. As full committee members, patient partners are invited to draw upon their experiences with the SCDP as well as their knowledge of community childcare. Patient partners will provide feedback on priorities for categories of funding support, quality improvement initiatives and other topics as required.

Level of Engagement

This opportunity is at the level of collaborate on the spectrum of engagement. The promise to you is that the research partner will work together with you to formulate solutions and incorporate your advice and recommendations into the decisions to the maximum extent possible

Eligibility

  • Resident of Greater Victoria or the Southern Gulf Islands
  • Parent/guardian of a child or youth who has received services from the SCDP over the previous 12 months.
  • Comfortable sharing experiences and feedback in a group
  • Able to reflect on and consider the needs of families in general vs your specific family situation
  • Previously attended a PVN orientation session and completed the Volunteer Agreement. If you have not attended an orientation session but you are interested in this opportunity, please contact Kira Tozer directly to see if accommodations may be possible.
  • Please note: informal interviews may be conducted as part of this recruitment process

Logistics

  • Vacancies: 1-2
  • Date/Time: 5-6 meetings per year (Sept-June).  Typically, the meetings are held on the third Tuesday of the every second month in the afternoon.  Times may be adjusted as necessary.
  • Location: Meetings will alternate between Queen Alexandra Centre for Children (Victoria) and Wale Road Children's Health building (West Shore). Teleconference participation is available, although in-person participation is preferred.
  • Commitment: 1 year with the possibility of extending for another 1-year term.

Reimbursement

Pre-approved out-of-pocket expenses such as mileage, parking and public transit to attend meetings will be reimbursed.

Background

Working with families, the Supported Child Development Program (SCDP) at Island Health provides consultation, extra staffing supports and staff training to child care providers and early childhood educators.  The SCDP helps to ensure that all children are included in, and learn from, their preschool, daycare, or child care arrangement in Greater Victoria. The SCDP Local Advisory Committee (LAC) was formed in 2016 and functions to advise and support Island Health and its staff in the delivery of the program.  The SCDP LAC provides input and recommendations to issues such as:
  • Decision-making model for allocation of funding for extra staff support
  • Prioritization of waitlists
  • Framework to consider exceptions to eligibility criteria
  • Communication with child care centres, preschools and families regarding changes to policy, procedures or funding availability
The LAC is chaired by the Child Development and Rehabilitation Manager.  Membership includes: parents of children receiving supports; a Licensed Child care provider for children 3-5; a Licensed Child care provider for children 5-10; Youth service provider; Ministry of Child and Family Development representative; School District representative; Aboriginal SCD representative; Daycare Licensing representative; Supported Child Development Consultant; Early Intervention Program Social Worker; Clinical Leader, Supported Child Development; Manager, Child Development and Rehabilitation; Program Coordinator, Early intervention and Supported Child Development Programs.

Health Care Partner Contact Information

Kira Tozer
Engagement Leader, Patient & Public Engagement | Vancouver Island
250.888.4525
ktozer@bcpsqc.ca

From Our Community

Cherie Mercer

Patient Partner, New Aiyansh

Cherie Mercer

I have learned so much about innovation and capacity building by being part of PVN. I signed up to build my leadership skills, however, I experience benefits for myself, my community and Indigenous peoples throughout the province. I understand more about the complexities and opportunities required to improve health care.