Provincial Advisors

Children need to be supported in their early years to get the best start in life and to reach their full potential. A key factor to ensuring that services provide the best possible environment to support this development is the coordination between government, community organizations and families. Provincial Advisors have the important role of creating these linkages to ensure services meet the needs of developing children.

Provincial Advisors for various ECD programs and initiatives have been contracted to assist MCFD in developing strategies for service delivery that are based on best evidence and research. As expert consultants in their respective areas, the Provincial Advisors for the province’s Infant Development Program (IDP), Aboriginal Infant Development Program (AIDP), Support Child Development (SCD) programs, and Children First Initiative provide coordination and consultation to community service providers. Further, they offer supervision and guidance to Regional Advisors, while coordinating communication and planning around their respective programs to enhance service provision.

This page provides more information on the roles of Provincial Advisors and how their efforts ultimately improve outcomes for children and families across BC.

Infant Development Program

Dana Brynelson is the Provincial Advisor for the Infant Development Program. She works with the 52 IDP staff and community volunteers throughout BC to provide support and service to more than 6,000 families of children under three who have or are at-risk of developmental delay or disability.

The Provincial Advisor helps to ensure that IDP Consultants have the information, tools, skills and training required to effectively support children and families. The Office of the Provincial Advisor is also responsible for:

• Maintaining a Policy and Procedures Manual reflecting current research and evidence based early childhood intervention practices;
• Developing training materials and web resources;
• Assisting in program evaluation/accreditation;
• Providing advice to the ministry on the operation of a range of services for young children and their families; and
• Creating linkages between a range of community services, academic institutions and government ministries to advance the knowledge base in the field of early childhood.

Office of the Provincial Advisor
Infant Development Programs of British Columbia
2765 Osoyoos Crescent
Vancouver BC V6T 1X7

Phone: 604 822-4014/4015
Fax: 604 822-9556
Email: infantdv@interchange.ubc.ca

Aboriginal Infant Development Program

Diana Elliott is the Provincial Advisor for the Aboriginal Infant Development Program. She consults with Aboriginal communities and families, provides mentoring and training and facilitates the integration of 28 programs, both on and off reserve, with other existing community supports. The Provincial Advisor also works closely with the Infant Development Programs and provides:

• Direction on Aboriginal policy and Infant Development Program needs;
• Ensures there are relevant, accessible resources for families and staff; and
• Ensures supports are available to Aboriginal communities.

Office of the Provincial Advisor for Aboriginal Infant Development Programs
BC Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres
#200 – 506 Fort Street
Victoria BC V8W 1E6

Phone: 250 388-5593
Fax: 250 388-5502
Email: advisor@aidp.bc.ca

Supported Child Development Program

Lorraine Aitken is the Provincial Advisor for the Supported Child Development Program. She works with over 52 Supported Child Development Program agencies to deliver services to approximately 5,500 children, from birth to age 19, so they can be included in regular child care settings.

An ongoing priority is to support communities and families with resources, materials and training which reflect current research and recommended practices. The Provincial Advisor also ensures the effective and efficient use of resources, collects statistical information about the program, provides training to SCD Consultants and ensures effective communication and collaboration with other early childhood development initiatives in government and communities.

Office of the Provincial Advisor
Supported Child Development Program
237 Third Street
Courtenay BC V9N 1E1

Phone: 250 338-4288 ext 225
Toll Free: 1 866 338-4881
Fax: 250 388-9326
Email: lorraine@cvcda.ca

Children First Initiative

Joanne Schroeder is the Provincial Advisor for Children First. Her guidance and support helps enable Children First programs throughout BC to meet their objectives: to strengthen communities in their capacity to deliver effective services, to engage ‘hard to reach’ families, to increase opportunities for early identification and screening and to improve overall outcomes for BC children and their families.

Office of the Provincial Advisor for Children First
237 Third Street
Courtenay BC V9N 1E1

Phone: 250 338-4288
Fax: 250 356-0399
Email: Joanne@cvcda.ca