Identifying risks early in a child’s life results in improved opportunities for success. There is widespread scientific and clinical consensus that investments in optimizing early development pay off through upstream prevention of health problems and increasing social benefits.
The Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services (MCCSS) provides funding for healthy child development programs to maximize the potential of children with a developmental concern and prepare them for success in school and in life. The Infant and Child Development Program (ICDP) partners with families to provide support, information, and early intervention services. The ICDP is often the first point of contact for families accessing children’s services. This home-based early intervention model is one element that makes the ICDP unique among other early years programs and services.
During the home visit, the ICDP professional observes the parent/caregiver in daily routines to determine the current strategies and uses joint problem solving to identify what will work best for the family. The professional observes the family participating in their routines to better understand where challenges may be and provides coaching, consultation or modelling where appropriate.