Central Vancouver Island

Regional Coordinator

Julie Rushton - Port Alberni

[email protected]

1.250.735.2345

Community Coordinators

Nanaimo: Amber Bruner [email protected]

Ladysmith: Jacqueline Neligan [email protected]

Port Alberni: Maggie Hodge-Kwan [email protected]

Westcoast (Tofino, Ucluelet): Marcie Dewitt [email protected]

Aboriginal Coordinators

Port Alberni: Jackie Wells [email protected]

Westcoast (Tofino, Ucluelet): Marcie Dewitt [email protected]

Communities We Serve

Ahousaht, Anacla, Bamfield, Bowser, Cassidy, Cedar, Coombs, Errington, Esowista, Gabriola Island, Hilliers, Hitacu, (Ittatsoo/Hittatsoo), Hot Springs Cove, Ladysmith, Lasqueti Island, Latzville, Meadowood, Nanaimo, Nanoose, Opitsaht, Opitsal First Nations, Parksville, Port Alberni, Qualicum, Salair, Snuneymuxw, Stz'uminus, Tofino, Toquaht, Ucleuelet, Whiskey Creek, Yellow Point.

Supporting Children & Families in the Central Vancouver Island Region

Westcoast

Every spring we work with Ahousaht Preschool to bring the Here We Come Early Developmental Screening to this large offshore community. It is always a great success with over 30 families attending and it creates an opportunity for service providers to become more familiar with this remote community.

This year parenting skills was identified as a top priority for development in our region. We are working with service providers, communities and elder groups to gather current resources and create a culturally appropriate place-based resource.

Every year the Coastal Family Resource Coalition (CFRC) updates and organizes a Community Services Directory in the back of our local phone book. This resource allows families better access to services in their community.

The CFRC meets the first Wednesday of every month. Meetings alternate between all 8 communities – 2 municipalities and 6 first nation communities - in our region to increase inclusion, introduce service providers to new communities and build relationships.

Alberni Valley

Alberni Valley purchased Table Talk conversation cards for distribution to our children and families to help families engage with each other and share meals together.

We also created a community calendar with local children and families featured. This calendar has a complete list of family services and their contact information for families to access.

The Aboriginal ECD Steering Committee facilitates a weekly multigenerational gathering for parents with young children. The program is called Nayi-ii (means Echoes in Nuu-chah-nulth) and offers parents an opportunity to chat with Elders about traditional teachings as well as bringing in service providers from the Alberni area to engage and educate parents about a variety of emergent topics.