Early Learning, Child Care and Family Resources
Our Program Vision Statement: “Together with families and community partners, Early Learning Child Care and Family Resources at KW Habilitation works to help children and youth in Waterloo Region thrive in licensed child care programs.”
As part of KW Habilitation, Early Learning, Child Care and Family Resources (ELCCFR) is funded and designed to support licensed early learning and child care programs in meeting the needs of children from 0-12 years of age who have any identified need OR who struggle in any area of their development. A referral can be made by a parent, physician, community agency, or early learning and child care centre with written consent from the parent/guardian. A referral is made by contacting our child care Special Needs Access Point (SNAP) program.
Resource Consultants from KW Habilitation support licensed Early Learning and Child Care programs to promote a sense of belonging for all children in their programs, considering their care environment, individual needs, relationships, and approaches to curriculum.
The Early Learning team at KW Hab is made up of Resource Consultants, Administrative Support, a Volunteer and Student Placement Coordinator, volunteers and students, Supervisors, a Manager and a Director. We collaborate with all licensed early learning and child care programs in the Region of Waterloo, supporting the inclusion of all children. Our role is dependent on the needs of the children, and educators and/or caregivers.
Special Needs Resourcing Collaborative (SNRC)
Our team is a part of the Region of Waterloo’s Special Needs Resourcing Collaborative (SNRC). The SNRC provides support to Licensed Child Care Programs across Waterloo Region for children up to 12 years of age. As members of the collaborative, have committed to working closely together, not only in our daily practices in the Early Learning and Child Care community, but in our overall strategic direction. Our unique partnership allows us to cultivate respectful relationships with each other and with those we support, as well as always striving to be responsive, efficient and effective in our approaches. Guided by our vision to practice, we work together to streamline the services provided so that all children, regardless of their abilities are supported to thrive in quality, inclusive early learning environments.
When a program or individual need is identified, licensed child-care programs can access the SNR Collaborative through the Special Needs Access Point. From there, you might be connected with Resource Consultants or SPOT Therapists who make up the team of professionals that work to ensure all children are participating in a meaningful way in their child-care program.
Early Childhood Educators, parents, or caregivers can contact the SNR Collaborative with any concerns or questions they might have about a child. We operate in a tiered services model.
Our Mandate: To work as partners to support licensed early learning and child-care programs in meeting the diverse needs of children and families in Waterloo Region.
The SNR Collaborative is made up of KidsAbility, KW Habilitation and the Special Needs Access Point. Funding for the SNR Collaborative is provided by the Region of Waterloo and the Province of Ontario.
Eligibility
Supports for Children Aged 0-4
Resource Consultants are working with children from birth to school entry in licensed child care programs across Waterloo Region. They work in a Tiered Service Model and are able to support children in all three tiers. At Tier 1, which is “beneficial for all”, the Resource Consultants visit and observe programs regularly and provide resources, training and support to the ELCC team. Consultation is provided to support all children in the group on topics related to children’s development, developmental and/or emotional regulation strategies, classroom management, classroom environment and other general program strategies. At Tier 2, which is “targeted to some”, Resource Consultants are able to target individual or small groups of children to work on a short-term, targeted goal over the course of a few specific visits. At Tier 3, which is “specific to one”, Resource Consultants can provide more focused supports such as assessments, individual support plans, resources/referrals, and strategies based on individual needs. A Resource Consultant may also be providing support for a child who is transitioning to school at a Tier 3 level.
Supports for Children Aged 4-12
Resource Consultants are able to offer Tier 1 and Tier 2 supports to licensed after-school child care programs. They can visit and observe programs to provide resources, training and support to the ELCC team. Consultation is provided to support all children in the group on topics relating to children’s development, developmental and/or emotional regulation strategies, classroom management, classroom environment and other general program strategies.
The focus for the Resource Consultant in all three tiers is on collaboration with families, early learning programs, and other professionals in order to include and ensure all children thrive in quality early learning and child care programs. Resource Consultants have the ability to provide supports both virtually and in person. They can provide virtual consultation through an approved platform as well as through email and phone calls.
Confidentiality / Your Consent
Signed consent from a parent or legal guardian is required before any written or verbal information can be shared about your child. In certain limited situations however, Resource Consultants are required, by law, to release what would otherwise be confidential information without consent. Resource Consultants are required to release information in response to search warrants, court orders, or when a Resource Consultant suspects a child is in need of protection under the Child and Family Services Act.
Kristy Heimpel: Manager of Early Learning, Child Care & Family Resources
99 Ottawa Street South, Kitchener, Ontario N2G 3S8
Phone: (519) 744-6307 ext. 1203
Fax: (519)-884-8609
Email: kheimpel@kwhab.ca
Karen Marche: Supervisor of Early Learning, Child Care & Family Resources
99 Ottawa Street South, Kitchener, Ontario N2G 3S8
Phone: (519) 744-6307 ext. 1204
Fax: (519)-884-8609
Email: kmarche@kwhab.ca
Johanna Sheppard: Supervisor of Early Learning, Child Care & Family Resources
99 Ottawa Street South, Kitchener, Ontario N2G 3S8
Phone: (519) 744-6307 ext. 1205
Fax: (519) 884-8609
Email: jsheppard@kwhab.ca
Tracy Stroeder: Supervisor of Early Learning, Child Care & Family Resources
99 Ottawa Street South, Kitchener, Ontario N2G 3S8
Phone: (519) 744-6307 ext. 1206
Fax: (519) 884-8609
Email: tstroeder@kwhab.ca
