STRENGTHENING EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT, CARE & LEARNING
WELL BABY / CHILD HEALTH CLINIC
Provincially funded basic immunizations are offered for children up to the age of five. Public Health Nurses will answer questions, provide referrals and education to parents and if needed will consult with other members of the health care team and community agenciesto attend to their concerns. As there is a 4 week wait list new parents
should book first immunization visits
shortly after the baby is born.
Phone: (604) 476-7000
FREE FLUORIDE VARNISH PROGRAM
A free fluoride varnish program offered to families with children 4 yrs and older
who are at risk for tooth decay and not able to access regular preventive dental care. Phone: (604) 476-7000
DENTAL HEALTH EDUCATION
Group education within existing community groups about children's dental health. The sessions are for parents of young children and stress the importance of beginning dental care early. Parents learn how to prevent dental disease and can obtain information on dental treatment resources. Phone: (604) 476-7000
NUTRITION EDUCATION
Dietician services are available through Health Link BC and can reached by dialing "811".
CHILD CARE RESOURCE & REFERRAL PROGRAM
A program of the Maple Ridge/Pitt Meadows Community Services that assists parents seeking childcare and provides support services to childcare providers. Referrals are FREE of charge and confidential and are to child care providers who have met program eligibility criteria for membership. Phone: (604) 467-2273
ANISHNAABE PLACE
Anishnaabe Program and Services are offered in partnership with Katzie First Nation and include Elder support, parenting, youth & family support, community greeters and traditional celebrations. This program provides strength-based support through information, referral services, informal education in traditional teaching and a strong cultural environment. Maple Ridge/Pitt Meadows Community Services runs this program with funding from the Ministry of Children and Family Development. Contact Community Services at (604) 467-6911. 
DADDY AND ME
An opportunity for dads to enjoy a positive one-on-one time with their children under six. Designed to encourage the participation and interaction between dad and child. Dads get to have fun making crafts, painting and participating in activities with their child/ren. A program of Maple Ridge/Pitt Meadows Community Services, Family Place. Phone: (604) 466-8484/ (604) 467-2273
FAMILY PLACE
Parent and tot programs for families with children under the age of six, includes some drop-in programs and registered programs offering varied activities and educational sessions for parents along with the opportunity for families to network and build relationships in their community. Families are welcome at two locations : Maple Ridge - 22359 119th Ave; Pitt Meadows - Davie Jones School, 12030 Blakely Rd. Operated by Maple Ridge/Pitt Meadows Community Services. Phone: (604) 466-8484/ (604) 467-2273 ext. 22
MAPLE RIDGE PITT MEADOWS PARKS AND LEISURE SERVICES
Parks and Leisure services provide a variety of ongoing and drop in programs in Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows for young children ages birth to six and their families. For more information, call (604) 466-4339 or follow the links at www.mapleridge.ca
STRONG START
The Strong Start Centre at Eric Langton Elementary School is for children birth to five years and their parents/caregivers. Focus is on activities that children and adults share to encourage literacy, bonding, learning about the community and developing social relationships. Monday to Friday 8:30 am to 11:30 am. Free. Strong Start is provided through a partnership between School District 42 and the Family Education and Support Centre.
Contact: (604) 467-6055 For other Strong Start locations, call SD 42 at 604-463-4200
ART AND MUSIC PROGRAMS
The Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows Arts Council offers art and music programs for youngchildren 1 to 6yrs and their caregivers. Please call (604) 476-2787 for informationor go to www.mapleridge.ca and follow the links to the most current arts and recreation guide.
YOU MAKE THE DIFFERENCE
A program to support parents of typically developing children, birth to 5 years who would like to learn more about nurturingand enriching their child’s early language, social and literacy development during positive everyday interactions. It can also provide support to vulnerable families whose children’s learning may be at risk due to environmental and / or societal challenges. You Make the Difference can help parents who have limited communication skills or who may feel isolated and lacking in social networks to connect with other families and resources in their community. A Family Education and Support Centre free program that is offered two to three times per year. Registration required. (604) 467-6055
SPEECH/LANGUAGE AND AUDIOLOGY SERVICES
The Public Health Unit has speech and language services for children to 5 years of age. Audiology services are available for children birth – 19 years of age. Call 604 476-7000 for more information.
SPEECH & LANGUAGE /PHYSIOTHERAPY/ OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY
The Ridge Meadows Child Development Centre provides assessment and intervention for children in the following areas: • Speech and language pathologists assess communicationskills and provide intervention where needed. • Physiotherapists assess the motor ability of children including what movements a child can and cannot do, posture and balance and whether the child can carry out age-appropriate motor activities. • Occupational Therapy services offered to children and their families, addressing developmental concerns in areas of self-care, play, fine motor, sensory and visual perception/visual motor integration. 604-463-0881
INFANT DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM/ABORIGINAL INFANT DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM (IDP, AIDP)
Ridge Meadows Association for Community Living offers two home-based programs to assist families in encouraging their infant or child's development The programs serve families who have an infant or toddler, from birth to three years of age, who is at risk of or has a developmental delay. A weekly playgroup and a resource loan cupboard that includes adaptive toys and equipment are available at no charge. Open referrals. Contact IDP: Wendy Blaine at 604 466-0787; AIDP: Joy Hall at 604 466-0487
SUPPORTED CHILD DEVELOPMENT/ABORIGINAL SUPPORTED CHILD DEVELOPMENT ASCD and SCD
are programs for children who need extra support to be included in their neighbourhood child care or preschool setting. Consultants provide support and assistance to families and also support child care programs with strategies for inclusion. Both consultation and direct staffing may be available. Opportunities for training and workshops on a range of topics are available through SCD/ASCD. The Aboriginal Supported Child Development Program is available for families living both on and off reserve. Contact SCD: Winnie Chucas at 604-466-8761; ASCD: Kristina Leon at 604 466-8656
AIDP/ASCD co-sponsor a playgroup in the Katzie Community on a weekly basis. Funded by the Ministry for Children and Family Development.
THE FRIENDS IN NEED FOOD BANK
Provides monthly food hampers during the third week of the month for families on a pre-registered basis. Families with children can pick up an additional “extras” hamper during the first week of the month and school snack items during the second week. Baby supplies such as diapers, formula and jarred food are also available to registered families. Children have access to free books to take home through a program supported by Black Bond Books. Two depots support the communities of Maple Ridge, Pitt Meadows and Katzie: 8-22726 Dewdney Trunk Road Maple Ridge BC - 8:30 am until 12:30, Monday to Thursday. (604) 466-366312240 Harris Road Pitt Meadows (located in Grace Community Church) – Tuesdays, 8:30 am until 12:30 pm (604) 460-4619 www.friendsneedfood.com
COMMUNITY KITCHENS
A program that provides the opportunity for people throughout the Maple Ridge, Pitt Meadows and Katzie communities to come together and to plan and prepare low cost and nutritious food for their families. Community Kitchens take place once per month at a variety of locations:Glenwood Elementary School – 2nd Tuesday evening Fraserwood Housing Co-op - 3rd Tuesday morning Pitt Meadows Heritage Hall – 4th Thursday Family Education and Support Centre – 2nd Friday morning Anishnaabe Place – 2nd Monday evening (only available to families taking part in Anishnaabe programs)Katzie First Nation – (only available to people living at Katzie) For information about any of the Community Kitchens, contact Candace at (604) 466-0847
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