APALS (Aboriginal Parents as Literacy Supporters)

For family members & caregivers to support their preschool or kindergarten aged children’s early literacy development.

Categories:

• Early Learning & Literacy

Achiever’s Program

The Achievers program is a unique social program that provides community integration to school-age children who have disabilities that limit their opportunities to fully participate socially in the community. This program runs Tuesday to Friday from 3:00 - 5:00 pm and Saturday from 10:00 - 4:00 pm. The children participate in social and recreation activities. Each child has an individual goal plan that is developed with our professional staff and parents to work toward independence and a lifetime of activity and community involvement.

Categories:

• Early Learning & Literacy

All Saints Nursery School

Preschool

Categories:

• Child Care Settings
• Preschools

Baby Talk

Informal 2 hour weekly drop-in offered 3 times a year, support group for moms ( parents) and new babies (up to 12 months). Various health topics ranging from nutritional requirements to infant massage to safety and childhood illness. Baby Talk is an informative, social outing for new parents, their babies and toddlers. Come and socialize with other new parents while gaining information and resources for you and your family. Baby Talk is a series of 8-10 presentations, which rotate throughout the year. You are welcome to attend any or all sessions as many times as you like.

Categories:

• Parent and Tot Groups

Boys & Girls Club 3-5 Daycare Program

This is a licensed daycare program situated in a warm nurturing place full of great play equipment and caring people. The professional staff will be involved in all aspects of the children's care and provide support to the parents.

Categories:

• Child Care Settings
• Daycares

Brer Rabbit Daycare

Categories:

• Child Care Settings
• Before &/or After School Care
• Daycares

Capitol Taxi

Categories:

• Transportation

Child Care Resource and Referral

This is a support and referral program dedicated to enhancing and promoting quality, availability and accessibility of childcare for children. Childcare providers receive support in the way of childcare information (i.e. safety, programming, and nutrition), equipment and resources, training, newsletters and supportive visits. Parents receive referrals to childcare centers that match their needs for care, location and schedules. The program provides information and training and serves as an advocate for quality childcare. The Child Care Resource and referral Program is funded by the Ministry of Children and Family Development.

The CCRR Fall newsletter can be found at:

Categories:

• Child Care Settings

Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Group

This is an opportunity for grandparents raising their grandchildren to come together to talk with each other about the issues & challenges they face parenting their grandchildren. You will also get valuable information, resources, & tolls from the facilitators & presenters from the community.

Categories:

• Parenting Programs & Support Groups

Healthy Families Program

Facilitated by a Community Health Nurse and an Early Childhood Educator, this community program provides support, parental education and referral services to families with young children 0-6. Parents can register for the Parent and Tot program by calling us. In this program parents participate with their children in experiencing new activities, learning parenting tips, and health information. A drop in program is also available to parents living in the Alexis Park area on Wednesday mornings at Alexis Park Elementary School. Please call for more information as space is limited.

Categories:

• Parenting Programs & Support Groups

Hot Lunch Program

The Hot Lunch program offers nutritious meals for families of young children.

Categories:

• Food and Food Security
• Parent and Tot Groups

Kids Club Child Care/Elements of Summer

A licensed daycare, that during the school year picks children up at school and brings them to the Boys and Girls Club. This program is divided into two groups of children: Kindergarten and grade one, and grades two through seven. The program provides a variety of activities including games, crafts, sports, science, music, theme days, and special events using indoor and outdoor facilities and field trips. The children are involved in program and meal planning. A “Kinder Care” program is offered for Kindergarten children. Kids Club becomes an exciting day camp in the summer with an all day “Elements of Summer” program. Children arrive at 7:45 a.m. ready for an action-packed day of beaches, water slides, hikes, games, exploring science and hanging out with friends. Give us a call and let the fun begin! Parent fees apply to this program.

Categories:

• Child Care Settings
• Before &/or After School Care
• Daycares

Koala Bear Daycare

Categories:

• Child Care Settings
• Daycares

Lavington Preschool

A licensed preschool for 3 & 4 year olds.

Categories:

• Child Care Settings
• Preschools

Little Miracles

Categories:

• Child Care Settings
• Preschools

Moms & Tots

Assistance of milk, eggs and cheese to mothers in need with babies six months to one year. Pre-registration is required (bring ID) Please sign up before second Tuesday of the month. Drop-in between 9:00am and noon or call for more information.

Categories:

• Food and Food Security

Mother Goose

Mother Goose is based on the idea that playful, imaginative language should be an important part of a child's life. All programs begin the week of January 11th - 14th and run for seven weeks.

1.Monday

• Hillview Elementary 9 - 10 AM, 0-5 years. To register, contact: Asia @ 503-0715
• Vernon Public Library 10:45 - 11:45 AM, 0-12 months. Fee of $75. Sponsorships available. To register, contact: Jodie @ 549-4406 or Asia @ 503-0715

Categories:

• Early Learning & Literacy
• Parent and Tot Groups

NOEL (North Okanagan Early Literacy Project)

The North Okanagan Early Literacy Project provides a continuum of early literacy information and programs to families with children from birth to age 6 in communities throughout the North Okanagan (Vernon, Lumby, Armstrong, Enderby, Cherryville and Falkland). The Goal is that more children will enter Kindergarten with the pre-literacy skills they need to have early school success.

Categories:

• Early Learning & Literacy

NONA Autism Services Program

This program provides individualized services for children who live in the North Okanagan diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Categories:

• Health and Development

NONA FASD Key Worker Program

The Key Worker Program assists families in understanding Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Disorder (FASD) by:

• Providing education and information specific to the needs of the child and family
• Linking families with community resources
• Assisting families to access support, health and education services
• Providing emotional and practical support to families

You can phone NONA & make a referral yourself or a service provider can refer with your consent.

Categories:

• Health and Development
• Parenting Programs & Support Groups

NONA Family Support Program

Services include information, support, advocacy, one-to-one consultation, counselling and networking opportunities with other parents. Parent Support & Education Groups are held throughout the year, as well as Sibshops for siblings.

Categories:

• Health and Development
• Parenting Programs & Support Groups

NONA Infant Development Program

This program is for families of young children (birth to 3) who are at risk for developmental delays or have a diagnosed disability. Services include home visits, assessment & program planning to help you support your child's development. Other services include groups and referrals to other community professionals. Your child can be referred with your consent or your can also make a referral yourself.

Categories:

• Health and Development

NONA Music Therapy Program

This Centre-based program is available to families of children (birth to 5) who are delayed in 2 or more areas of their development and are responsive to music. Music therapy most commonly addresses concerns about the child's sensory-motor, social and communication development. Your child can be referred with your consent or your can also make a referral yourself.

Categories:

• Health and Development

NONA Physiotherapy & Occupational Therapy Services

Services are available to families whose children need help with moving, feeding, self-calming, and self help skills. Services include home or Centre visits, visits to your child's child care setting, assessment & program planning to help you best support your child's motor development. Other services may also include groups and referrals to other community professionals. Your child can be referred with your consent or your can also make a referral yourself.

Categories:

• Health and Development

NONA Speech-Language Therapy Program

Services include home or Centre visits, visits to your child's child care setting, assessment & program planning to help you best support your child's speech and language development. Other services may also include groups and referrals to other community professionals. Your child can be referred with your consent or your can also make a referral yourself.

Categories:

• Health and Development

NONA Supported Child Development Program

This program is for families whose children (birth to 12) need extra support in their daycare, preschool or out-of-school program in order to be successful. Your child can be referred with your consent or your can also make a referral yourself.

Services include:

• Individual planning to promote each child’s development
• Training and information for families and child care providers to help each child’s development
• Resources such as books, toys and specialized equipment
• Referrals to other services such as therapists or specialists
• Where necessary, additional staffing to ensure that children may participate fully with their peers.

Categories:

• Child Care Settings
• Health and Development

Okanagan Child Care Resource & Referral

Child Care Resource and Referral links families and child care providers in the communities of Vernon, Lavington, Lumby, Armstrong, Falkland, & Cherryville by offering free consultation, support, and referral services to parents seeking quality child care.

Child care providers are supported though information, outreach, Toy & Resource library, networking and learning opportunities.

Parents are supported through parenting information, our Toy & Resource library, parenting workshops, and general community referrals regarding children and families.

We work with the community to strive for quality inclusive child care services that meet the needs of local families and promote the healthy development of children.

Categories:

• Child Care Settings

Parenting Isn’t Easy (P.I.E.)

This program is held for one hour, once a week for ten consecutive weeks. Groups are limited to ten parents per program. A different topic is introduced each week and discussions are lead by the facilitator. At the end of each session parents take home a bag of activities, toys and story books to support the topic being discussed. Enjoy time with other parents as we discuss the struggles and successes of parenting children 0-6 years of age. Learn some new tools and strategies to become the parent you would like to be! This program is offered free of charge to all participants. Child care is provided for infants and preschoolers at no cost. Coffee, tea and a light snack is provided.

Categories:

• Parenting Programs & Support Groups

Parks in Vernon

Click on the web link for a listing of parks in the Vernon area.

Categories:

• Recreation & Leisure
• Parks

Post-Partum Support

Post-partum support for parents is available throughgroup, individual or couples counselling. Post partum depression can be described as tearfulness, despondency, feelings of inadequacy & an inability to cope. There can be accompanying feelings of anxiety, guilt, shame, isolation, fatigue, a sense of loss & sometimes frightening thoughts.

Categories:

• Health and Development
• Pre & Post Natal Health

Strong Start

Drop in 3-hour program for parents or caregivers of children 0-

Categories:

• Early Learning & Literacy
• Parent and Tot Groups

Vernon Taxi

Categories:

• Transportation

Vernon Christian Preschool

A licensed preschool for 3 & 4 year-olds.

Categories:

• Child Care Settings
• Preschools
• Early Learning & Literacy

Vernon Food Bank

Support of food hampers to families in need. Bring your ID as pre-registration is required. You can also sign up for Christmas hampers in November.

Categories:

• Food and Food Security

Vernon Parks & Recreation Programs

Lots of programs offered - click on web link for more details.

Categories:

• Recreation & Leisure

Vernon Regional Transit Service

The North Okanagan transit service provides conventional low-floor accessible service and custom door-to-door handyDART service within the City of Vernon and District of Coldstream, and a blended conventional/“Community Bus” servicing the North Okanagan Regional District, including Spallumcheen, Armstrong, Enderby, Lavington, Whitevale and Lumby.

Categories:

• Transportation

Way to Grow Program

8-week program designed to help parents prepare their young children to be successful at school.

Categories:

• Early Learning & Literacy

Weight & See Drop In

This is a drop-in for parents of babies up to 2 months of age. Babies are weighed & breastfeeding help is available. There is also information about

• Feeding
• Immunization
• Safety
• Becoming parents
• Family planning
• Community resources
• How to quit smoking

Categories:

• Health and Development
• Parent and Tot Groups

Wonder on Wheels

The Kalamalka Rotary Club-Dream Auction donated funds to allow the Okanagan Boys and Girls Clubs - Vernon to retro fit a school bus which will be used to allow families to access mobile Early Learning services in the greater Vernon area. In partnership with School District #22, the Wonders on Wheels bus providesfree learning-through-play programs for all parents and caregivers with children who are not yet eligible for kindergarten. A qualified early childhood educator leads learning activities; including stories, music, free play, and art experiences to help children get ready for success in kindergarten.

Categories:

• Early Learning & Literacy

Young Parents Group

Goals of this program include:

The goals of the Young Parent Program are to:

• Promote healthy pregnancy
• Facilitate healthy decision making regarding pregnancy and parenting
• Increase the emotional and physical safety of children born to young parents
• Promote and strengthen healthy family connections
• Provide knowledge of and access to community resources
• Foster the development of individual strengths and independence
• Reduce the likelihood of family breakdown by supporting the emotional well-being of teen parents

Referrals to the Young Parent Program may come via the Ministry of Children and Family Development and participants may self-refer. There is no waitlist for the Young Parent Program and participants are invited to join during their pregnancy as well as after the birth of their child. The Young Parent Program delivers this service in both individual and group formats to parents who have had their first child before the age of 19. A Child and Family Counsellor is able to meet with parent(s) on an individual basis for counselling and to work on parenting/family issues that are both general and specific to the family. Group sessions, held three times weekly, provide an opportunity for parents to connect with other parents in similar situations, and receive education, support and feedback.

Categories:

• Health and Development
• Pre & Post Natal Health
• Parenting Programs & Support Groups