About Us

Our Vision:

Working together with families, collaborating with communities, strengthening the region.

Our Mission:

The Northwest Child Development Centre Society offers family centred health and social services to support the growth and development of our children, youth and families in the communities from Vanderhoof to Atlin.  We work collaboratively with various community partners and professionals to provide resources for all families.

Our Beliefs:

1. Families are the heart and core of our team.
2. Childhood and adolescence are times for fun, discovery and learning.
3. Families want the best for their children and youth.
4. Cultural differences enrich all of us.
5. In reaching out to children, youth and families.
6. In anticipating and adjusting to the dynamic and diverse needs of families and communities.
7. In the importance of empathy, compassion and respect.
8. In working in a professional and innovative manner.
9. In transparency, accountability and service excellence.
Together, we can do more!!

Our history

Helping Communitities

Established in 1981

The Northwest Child Development Centre (formerly known as the Bulkley Valley Child Development Centre or BVCDC) opened its doors on November 23, 1981 to address the need for local services. A Steering Committee was established to enlist support from groups and agencies on establishing a Child Development Centre. The Ministry of Human Resources responded with contracts for a special needs daycare program in Telkwa. Prior to 1981, children with developmental delays and their families were required to travel to Prince George or Terrace for therapy and support services. 

The Centre moved from the Village of Telkwa to the Town of Smithers in 1986 where the Society leased space from the St. James Anglican Church. At this time, the Society was able to purchase Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy services from the Terrace Child Development Centre and to then include these services to the Northwest Child Development Centre (NWCDC).

Our Area

Helping Communitities

Miles & miles to care for children and families. The NWCDC has been providing outreach services to families within 30 Northern communities from Vanderhoof to Atlin, B.C. This area covers approximately 1533 kilometres (952.42 miles). Over the past year many children and their families living in these various communities have accessed our programs. Communities we serve:

Bulkley Valley and the Hazeltons: Houston, Telkwa, Smithers, Witset, Hagwilget, Hazeltons, Kitwanga, Gitanyow,  Gitsegukla, Gitanmaax, Kispiox, Two Mile and Glen Vowell.

Nechako Lakes and Lakes District: Burns Lake, Fort St. James, Fraser Lake, Granisle, Southside, Topley, Tachet, Vanderhoof.

Our Team

Board of Directors

2023/2024

Ross Dingwall – Treasurer

Lindsay Lange – Vice Chairperson

Jana VanDriel

Elizabeth Lemay

Anne Guarasci

Charlene Johnson – Chairperson

 

       JOIN OUR BOARD HERE

Board Meetings are held monthly the last Friday at noon at the Regional Centre

1471 Columbia Drive, Smithers.

 

Announcement of Annual General Meeting

AGM September 25th 2024 at Noon

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Our Team

Accreditation

“NWCDC is a longstanding, well-respected service provider of early intervention services for children and thier families in the northwest area of British Columbia. The organization has been very strategic in its planning and subsequent growth. Leadership has put a lot of effort into proactively gathering input from persons served, families, funders, local and provincial governments and the community to ensure that the services it currently provides or hopes to develop meet the needs of the persons served”.

The NWCDC has been accredited since 2005 by CARF. We continue with improving our standards and have been accredited to December 2023.

NWCDC has been accredited in Community Services:  Child and Youth Services, Governance Standards Applied

*CARF is an international ,  an independent, not for profit organization that accredits health and human service providers. http://www.carf.org/home/ .

Our Team

Staff Code of Ethics

  • Act with integrity and in good faith in all dealings with children, families, colleagues and the community.
  • Communicate honestly, endeavouring to be accurate and objective.
  • Treat as confidential information about the children, families and colleagues with whom they work.
  • Conscientiously carry out professional responsibilities and duties.
  • Acknowledge real or potential conflicts of interest and act in accordance with the principles of the Code of Ethics.
  • Respect the dignity of children, families, colleagues and others with whom we interact.
  • Respect and safeguard the personal property of clients, NWCDC visitors, other employees and the NWCDC property.
  • Plan inclusive programs that communicate respect; for diversity regarding ability, culture, gender, socio-economic status, sexual orientation and family composition.
  • Accurately present professional qualifications, education, skills and professional affiliations.
  • Not condone or ignore physical, verbal, psychological abuse.
  • Ensure that the rights of all clients, stakeholders, other employees shall include freedom from abuse, financial or other exploitation, retaliation, humiliation and neglect.
  • “Understanding and Respecting Confidentiality and Code of Ethics Agreement” is signed at the time recruitment and then annually reviewed and signed.

Allegations of violations of ethical conduct by employees of the NWCDC will be investigated promptly and thoroughly by the Executive Director.    Allegations determined to be true are dealt with promptly in accordance with the guidelines of the appropriate professional organization, the laws of B.C. and the policies and procedures of the NWCDC.

NWCDC is committed to the provision of quality services in a family-centred environment.  The NWCDC Society is fortunate to have highly qualified and caring staff, if you would like to speak to anyone about services, programs  or the NWCDC in general you can reach us at the following:

Administration

Kerri Bassett, Executive Director

 

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