Health & Development
Early Years Outreach Program: Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council
Promotes healthy development for pregnancy, infants and children (ages 0-6) through home and community visits.
health promotion and support for women who are pregnant or have infants in their home
support to families whose children may be at risk for developmental delays
infant and child development screening
consultation support to childcare programs and caregivers to meet children’s individual needs
support and advocacy for families to access services for their children and family
strength-based parenting skill development
Southern Region
Unit B - 4835 Argyle Street, Port Alberni (map)
Phone: (250) 724-0202
Central Region
151 First Street, Tofino (map)
Phone: (250) 725-3367
Island Health Public Nursing Programs
Services to support women and families during pregnancy and the postpartum period:
pregnancy classes in areas where community-based prenatal classes are not available
one-to-one and group prenatal teaching and support for individuals that have specific needs
prenatal teaching in school-based programs for pregnant adolescents and in Pregnancy Outreach Programs
provision of pamphlets, brochures, books and videos and other resources on pregnancy and parenting
telephone contact with all new mothers and follow-up home visit
breastfeeding support for mothers/families requiring assistance and information or experiencing difficulties with breastfeeding
postpartum depression screening for all new mothers; support for women experiencing difficulty with postpartum adjustment or postpartum depression; weekly Postpartum Depression support groups
education and support around issues such as infant care, safety, healthy lifestyle choices, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder/Fetal Alcohol Effect prevention, shaken baby syndrome, low birth weight prevention, parent support services, dental health, nutrition, hearing, and vision.
Phone: (250) 731-1315
Rainbows
Elementary-aged children speak about their feelings and share their grief in a safe environment in small group settings. The groups are led by trained facilitators utilizing age-appropriate materials. Facilitated by volunteers through Port Alberni Family Guidance Association.
10 week program, pre-registration required.
Phone: (250) 724-0125
Outreach Therapy Programs & Services
Outreach Therapy offers various publicly funded programs to children and families within the Pacific Rim/ Alberni Clayoquot regional district.
Early Intervention services are for children birth-preschool age.
Early Childhood Mental Health Health services are for children infant-5 years of age.
Extra Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy, and Early Childhood Mental Health services for children with Autism Funding. At Home Funding, Jordan's Principle Funding, or other private funding sources
Services are offered both in-person and by virtual health.
Referrals can be made family physician, community health professional or by parent self-referral
All referral forms are available on the Outreach Therapy website
Main office phone: (250) 723-1117
Early Childhood Mental Health direct line: 250-723-1141
Programs email: programs@outreachtherapy.org
Location: 4325 Neill Street, Port Alberni (map)
Child & Youth Mental Health
Services for children and youth ages 0-18 who face mental health challenges. We provide assessment and treatment, consultation and case management. Multi-disciplinary team of professionals.
Services are free and confidential.
To discuss a referral or for more information call (250) 720-2650 and ask to speak to the Child and Youth Mental Health Intake Worker.
Community Dental Hygenist
This program is available for parents with children age 0-5 years who may have questions or concerns about their child’s teeth.
Some common issues are:
When should I take my child to the dentist for the first time?
My toddler refuses to let me brush her teeth. What can I do?
If my child does need dental work, I’m worried about the cost.
The Community Dental Hygienist can help answer questions, do dental screenings, provide fluoride varnish and assist with dental advocacy and support.
Location: 4201 6th Ave, Port Alberni (map)
Phone: (250) 731-1315
Infant Development Program
Provided by: Port Alberni Association for Community Living (PAACL)
Family-centred program for children from birth to age three who have or are at risk of having a developmental delay. Supports parents to understand and respond to children’s needs.
Home-based services include home visits, screenings, infant massage, and referral to other community services and post partum doula services.
Also offers parent-child group programs and social events, and a toy and resource library. Open referral.
Funded by Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD).
Phone: 250-735-7820
Email: julie.wakefield@paacl.ca
Preschool Speech Services
Provides speech and language assessment and intervention for children from birth to school age. Services we offer include:
Assessment of all new referrals to determine delays and/or difficulties developing speech and language skills.
Comprehensive assessment and diagnosis for those children identified as having a possible speech/language delay or disorder
Planning and implementing intervention for those children requiring individual, group or at-home programs. An important part of intervention is parental/caregiver involvement.
Community consultation services for any agencies requiring information about speech and language development and suggestions for stimulating language during daily interactions.
For more information on the program or how to access this service: Please call the program office at 250-723-1118.
Supported Child Development
Provided by: Port Alberni Association for Community Living (PAACL).
Provides a range of consulting and support services for children (primarily from birth to age six; children ages seven to 12 are dependent on budgeting) who require extra support in order to be included in childcare settings.
Parents are responsible for childcare fees; subsidies are available.
Open referral; open to those on and off reserve.
Phone: (250) 421-4404
Email: scd@paacl.ca
Aboriginal Infant Development Program
Family-centred program for Indigenous children from birth to age six who have or are at risk of having a developmental delay. Supports parents to understand and respond to children’s needs. Services are delivered in culturally sensitive and meaningful ways. Home-based services include home visits, activity planning, and developmental screening and assessment, and referral to other community services.
Referral accepted from self or other. Serves all Nuu-chah-nulth communities, as well as Indigenous children living in Kyuquot, Port Alberni, Tofino, and Ucluelet.
Funded by the BC Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres and Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD).
Phone: (250) 724-0202
Children & Youth with Support Needs
Supports children and youth with special needs and their families. Offers individualized support based on the needs of children/youth, and can be on a one-to-one basis in the home, community, or group setting.
Areas of support include life and independence skills; social and peer interaction; recreation and leisure; youth transition planning; community access and inclusion; parent/caregiver support; parent education, and resource awareness. All referrals come from the CYSN Social Worker with MCFD. We offer groups and / or 1:1 supports.
Phone: 250-735-7820
Email: julie.wakefield@paacl.ca
FASD Keyworker Program
FASD Keyworker – Keyworker Program provides support to children and youth ages 0 – 18 with FASD and / or Complex Developmental Behavioural Conditions (CDBC) and their families. Formal diagnosis not required for referral to the program. The program works with the parents / guardians to promote health, education and family as well as assisting in access to services, supports and diagnosis. This is an open referral program.
Phone: 778-421-0717 opt. 1 ext. 1
email: Ashlyn.thompson@paacl.ca