About Us
Trusted for over 50 years, our Early Intervention Program is a home-visiting service that helps parents and caregivers support the development and wellbeing of their young children with developmental risks or delays.
How We Help
Our team of Early Childhood Interventionists (ECIs) are trained professionals with expertise in typical and atypical child development. If needed, they also collaborate with CICC’s consultative Occupational Therapists (OTs).
ECIs visit families at home and sometimes in the community. During these visits, they work together with the parent/caregiver to monitor the child’s development, talk about the family’s goals, and create a plan that is tailored to the child’s needs.
ECIs work closely with parents/caregivers to offer hands-on, practical strategies that support their child’s development in areas such as:
- Language & communication
- Gross motor
- Fine motor
- Social skills
- Emotions and bonding
- Problem-solving
- Learning through play
- Self-help skills
Home visits are approximately one hour long. ECIs model play, communication, and everyday strategies that parents/caregivers can use to support their child’s development.
What to Expect:
- Personalized, family-centred coaching
- Expert advice in response to your questions
- Referrals to other beneficial services if needed
- Transition planning to daycare, preschool, or kindergarten
Working Together
Parents/caregivers play a leading role in the Early Intervention Program. Their involvement truly matters. They are encouraged to try suggested strategies with their child in between the ECI’s visits and to share what worked and what did not at the next visit. This shared learning helps ECIs and the team understand what is most helpful and plan next steps together.
ECIs work alongside families to support their goals and suggest strategies that fit naturally into everyday life. Parents and caregivers always decide what feels right for their family and their child.
Participation in the Early Intervention Program is completely voluntary. Parents and caregivers can choose at any time whether or not to continue with the service.
Program Eligibility
To be eligible for our service, families must meet the following criteria.
- Age: Their child is between birth and the time they start daycare, preschool, or kindergarten.
- Development: Their child has delays—or is at risk for delays—in two (2) or more areas of development. A formal diagnosis is not required.
- Location: Their primary address is in Toronto (i.e., postal code beginning with “M”).
- Participation: At least one parent/legal guardian is available to participate in all home visits.
- Consent: If a third-party refers a child, consent from a parent/legal guardian must be obtained.
Fees
This service is provided at no cost to families.
The Early Intervention Program is partly funded by the Province of Ontario’s Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services. The program’s remaining costs are covered by the Centennial Infant and Child Centre Foundation through the generosity of its donors.
CICC is deeply grateful to all its donors and supporters for making this program possible.
Program Brochures
Read about our Early Intervention Program in 7 different languages! Simply click the icon for your language to view, download, or print!
Who Can Refer?
We welcome referrals from several different sources including:
- Hospitals
- Primary Care
- Physicians/Pediatricians
- Allied Health Professionals
- Parents/Caregivers
- Other Service Providers
Referrers must obtain permission from the child’s legal guardian before making a referral to CICC’s Early Intervention program.
Submit a Referral
To submit a referral, please complete the Request for Early Intervention Service form below and send it to Jessie Kimmel, Intake Services Coordinator, at:
Our Team
Early Intervention
Lorraine
Manager, Infant & Child Development Community Programs
Mandeep
Early Childhood Interventionist
Team Lead, Peer Mentorship & Professional Learning
Jessie
Early Childhood Interventionist
Intake Services Coordinator
Khadijah
Early Childhood Interventionist
Jetmira
Early Childhood Interventionist
Anna
Early Childhood Interventionist
Hajung
Data Management Administrator
Lori
Occupational Therapist
Magda
Early Childhood Interventionist
Ad
Occupational Therapist
Kim
Early Childhood Interventionist
Grace
Early Childhood Interventionist
Our Newsletter - Growing with CICC
Growing with CICC is the official newsletter of Centennial Infant and Child Centre’s Early Intervention Program. It is designed to help families encourage their child’s growth and development. Each issue is packed with helpful tips, practical resources, inspiring stories, and updates from CICC.
Click on any image below to view, download, or print your own copy!
French Language Service
Bonjour et bienvenue!
Si vous voulez des services du Programme de développement du nourrisson et de l’enfant (PDNE) en français, appelez le Centre Francophone du Grand Toronto au: 416-922-2672, poste 230.
Vous pouvez aussi visiter leur site web au
https://www.centrefranco.org/developpement-nourrisson
pour information à propos des services pour les enfants ayant des besoins spéciaux.
Pour demander des services en français, cliquez sur ce lien:
https://ac.centrefranco.org/en/.
French Language Service
Bonjour et bienvenue!
Si vous voulez des services du Programme de développement du nourrisson et de l’enfant (PDNE) en français, appelez le Centre Francophone du Grand Toronto au: 416-922-2672, poste 230.
Vous pouvez aussi visiter leur site web au
https://www.centrefranco.org/developpement-nourrisson
pour information à propos des services pour les enfants ayant des besoins spéciaux.
Pour demander des services en français, cliquez sur ce lien:
https://ac.centrefranco.org/en/.
Testimonials
Discover how the Early Intervention Program has made a meaningful impact in the lives of families and individuals in our community!
