PreSchool Assessment and Consultation
Who Can Use This Service?
Children are eligible for services if they attend a childcare program located in the City of Thunder Bay and District, which falls under the jurisdiction of the Thunder Bay District Social Services Administration Board (DSSAB), and who are experiencing difficulty functioning within a particular childcare program.
What Is Offered?
The Preschool Assessment and Consultation Program offers mental health consultation to child care programs that are struggling to support children with challenging behaviours within the childcare environment. The goal of the assessment and consultation is work with the family and child care program to better understand the needs of the child and to identify intervention strategies that are aimed at improving the child’s social, emotional, behavioural and developmental functioning with the childcare context.
The Preschool Assessment and Consultation Program also offers the Second Step - violence prevention program within childcare programs under the jurisdiction of DSSAB. This group program uses a research-based curriculum during circle time to teach children social/emotional skills such as empathy, emotion management and problem solving.
How Can This Service Help?
When a childcare program identifies a child in need of consultation, the Resource Teacher submits a referral to the Preschool Assessment and Consultation Program with parental consent. The assessment and consultation includes parental and program interviews and observation and takes roughly three months to complete. Although the assessment and consultation process works collaboratively with parents, the program targets the needs of child within the context of the childcare program.
A benefit to participating in the assessment and consultation process is the early identification of risks associated with childhood disorders that run the range from ADHD to Autism. Although the assessment and consultation is not diagnostic, it will address risks associated with different disorders if evident which will result in early and prescribed intervention for the identified child.
The Second Step service will provide:
- The child care program with a weekly hands on circle for 18 weeks
- Teaching and modeling of key concepts to increase Educator’s knowledge & awareness of general social/emotional development
- Resources for Educators to weave lessons throughout curriculum
- Hands on developmentally appropriate teachings on empathy, emotion management and problem solving skills
- A Parent evening to share key concepts for families
How Can You Find Out More Or Access This Service?
To find out more information about this program, parents or service providers are encouraged to talk to the designated Resource Teacher located in each childcare centre. Additional information about the service can be sought by calling Children’s Centre Thunder Bay at 343-5079.
Other Information And Quick Links:
Preschool Individual Consultation Brochure
Preschool Program Consultation Brochure
Thunder Bay District Social Service Administration Board (DSSAB)
