Going Bananazzz’s 2

Coupon Book Update 2

What’s Happening 3

SLP Fall Wrap Up 3

Baby Massage 4

New Staff 4

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

THANK YOU Your support makes a big dif-

ference in the lives of the chil-

dren we serve!

*BV Foundation

*Wetzin-Kwa Community

Foundation

*Provincial Employees

Community Service Fund

*Ronald McDonald House

*Village of Telkwa

To Donate

BV CDC is now registered with

www.canadahelps.org

BV CDC ‘s website has a

new look. Check us out!

1,278 visits to date

www.bvcdc.ca

Congratulations!!!

Inspiring strength in families and exploring the potential in children and youth.

Winter 2012

“30 Years”

February 29th, 2012

ANTI BULLYING DAY—PINK SHIRT DAY

“ART RAFFLE” We have been very fortunate that three local artists have donated an oil painting in an effort to

raise funds for the Early Intervention Programs at the BV CDC. These wonderful pieces of art

will be on display through out Smithers thanks to the local businesses who will be show casing

them in their windows or lobbies. Tickets are available at Child Care Resource and Referral

Office on 4th, Interior Stationery and through the BV Child Development Centre. For informa-

tion about the raffle please call us at 250-847-4122, you can also check out the paintings on our

website www.bvcdc.ca.

Draw date for one of these three paintings will be April 30th, 2012.

First Prize: “Minus Forty Two” by David Nehring

Second Prize: “Winter Trees” by Mark Tworow

Third Prize: “Upon the Evening” by Perry Rath

BV CDC 30th Anniversary The BV CDC first opened our doors in the Village of Telkwa on November 23, 1981 until 1986 when the BV CDC relocated to Smithers due to our program expansions. This is our 30th year providing intervention support services for children and youth who require extra support and their families in communities of the Bulkley Valley and Hazelton’s area. The BV CDC would like to thank all those individuals who contributed to the organization as a Society Member, Board Member, Staff, Community Partner, or family who worked with our staff to improve the lives of children. After 30 years, we continue to provide services annually to over 400 children and youth and their families in communities from Topley to Kitwanga and everywhere in between.

The BV CDC has just

received their

re-accreditation for the

next three years .

(more next issue)

Congratulations Regina - 20 Years of Service The BV CDC recognizes and celebrates Regina Tworow’s contribution to the children, families, communities and col-leagues as both an Occupational Therapist and Program Coordinator. Regina demonstrates her experience and knowledge to students, new graduates and her colleagues by emphasizing the importance of moving theory into prac-tice within both a family centered and community based approach. Regina has provided leadership to the growth of the BVCDC.

Page 2

GOING BANANAZZZ FOR THE BV CDC

GROWING WITH THE BV CDC……

This was a “fun”draising event in November with the following banks participating: RBC Bank (Houston/Smithers/Hazelton), Scotia Bank (Smithers), CIBC (Smithers) and BV Credit Union (Houston/Smithers/Hazelton) THANK YOU! Bananas were provided by Super Valu (Houston), BV Wholesale (Smithers), Safeway (Smithers) and McDonalds Store (Hazelton) THANK YOU! The BV CDC would like to thank everyone involved. For every banana sold proceeds went directly to the Child Development Centre to support families we serve in the communities of Topley landing, Houston, Smithers and the Hazelton‟s (22 Communities receive our services.) Thank you to the residents of these communities who came out and bought bananas.

Our local community banks putting the „fun‟ back in „fun‟draising!

We are often asked “Why do we need to fundraise?” The development of alternate and diverse

funding options is necessary, as government funding does not meet the actual operating costs of services.

Increase donor base through enhanced resource development initiatives with annual Fundraising having to

take place is one way to continue to raise the profile of our organization and to assist with existing programs

as well as develop new programs needed for children and families as we forge into the future.

Speech-Language Pathology News – Fall 2011 Wrap-Up

Jonina Cawsey, BV CDC SLP, and Karen Rabbiosi, Northern Health SLP, are working together to provide SLP services to preschoolers in the Bulkley Valley. They had a busy and exciting fall!

Some highlights:

Jonina was in Victoria for education sessions at the annual SLP Association (BCASLPA) Conference, October 21st and 22nd. She came away with new ideas to bring in to her work at the BV CDC.

Jonina and Karen participated in an education day in Smithers, October

28th, sharing and learning with SLPs from Smithers and all over the North region.

Karen and Jonina partnered again to provide the Sounds Fun Sounds

Awareness Groups in pre-kindergarten classes in Smithers this fall. This group helps preschoolers to learn about important pre-reading skills, such as learning to listen for specific sounds in words and to listen for rhymes. Karen and Jonina led circle times in the pre-k classes, and had lots of fun with the children!

Daycare Meet & Greets – Jonina and Karen invited all the childcare

providers in Smithers to schedule a “Meet & Greet” for parents to have an opportunity to visit with their community SLPs and ask any questions that they have about speech and language development. This was a great chance to casually meet families and be available for questions.

Karen, Jonina, and Glenda Patterson, Resource Educator with Smithers

Child Care Resource and Referral, partnered to provide an education session on November 22nd for childcare providers. This session used the popular children’s book, “Where’s Spot?” by Eric Hill, to provide practical suggestions for games and activities to support children’s language development.

Coming up…

May is Speech and Hearing Month! Jonina and Karen are working to develop two language boxes for Smithers Child Care Resource and Referral, one for centre’s to borrow and one for families to borrow. They plan to include activities for caregivers to play with their children and target language development. Karen and Jonina will launch these boxes in May to celebrate Speech and Hearing Month!

Page 3

THANK YOU Families involved with

the Infant Development

Program in Smithers

and Hazelton enjoy

books donated at

Christmas by the

MOST for Children

Committee.

Families involved with

the Infant Development

Program in Houston enjoyed books donated at Christmas

by Houston ECD Committee.

WHAT’S HAPPENING:

STAY & PLAY

Group for Parents and Infant/Toddlers 0-3 years

Facilitator: Charlene Johnson

Program will start up in January 12, 2012

Time: 10:00am to Noon

Where: Early Services Building on 3843 „A‟ 4th Ave.

FASD 2012 Conference

“Hope in Action—FASD, a Caring Community”

February 7th—9th, 2012

Where: NWCC & Friendship Centre, Smithers

For information call SCSA @250-847-9515

FAMILY PLAY DAY 2012

Saturday February 11 from 11am to 2pm

Dze L‟Kant Friendship Centre

Sponsored by MOST for Children

For information call 250-847-8824

NOBODY’S PERFECT

Parenting Workshops in Moricetown & Smithers

Monday February 13, 2012—Monday March 19, 2012

Sessions are from 6:00pm—8:00 pm each Monday

Where: Early Services Building on 3843 „A‟ 4th Ave.

Registration: by February 1st.

For information call 250-847-8824

BV Regional Pool

Postnatal Aquafit

(Mom‟s & babies 4mos.-2yrs)

This action-packed class

Call the BV Pool (250-847-4244) for information.

Little Rockers

(18 mos-5yrs)

Parent and tot active and social play sessions

Call the BV Pool (250-847-4244) for information

“Community Spirit” Coupon Book 2011-2012 Only 30 Books Left! Available only at BC Web and the BV Pool

Box 995—3350 Poplar Road

Smithers, BC V0J 2N0

Phone: 250-847-4122

Fax: 250-847-9338

Email: reception@bvcdc.ca

A Little Help Makes A ‘BIG ‘Difference.

BV CDC

We’re on the web:

www.bvcdc.ca

Welcome New Staff

My name is Kathy Petursson and I have

lived in Smithers for my entire life. I have

been with my husband for over 21 years and

we have 3 children together; two daughters

who are 18, 15 years old and a son who just

turned 11. I have worked in the child care

field in different capacities since my first

daughter was 1, and have been with the

Supported Child Development Program for

the past four years. I have recently earned

my license to practice as an early childhood

educator. I am excited to be the coordinator

for the MOST for Children committee because I believe in a commu-

nity-based approach in advocating and supporting the importance

of the Early Years. I look forward to working with everyone in the

future.

Jocelyn Chandler started working as a

Physiotherapist in the early intervention

program for the BVCDC in September, 2011. She previously provided physiother-apy service in northern Saskatchewan, living

in a remote First Nation/Metis community on the Churchill River, for the past 11 years. Jocelyn with her husband and 2 young

daughters, were drawn to northern BC by the many outdoor activities that the Bulkley Valley offers. Her interests are backcountry skiing, cross country skiing, canoeing, biking, hiking, fishing and hockey. She is excited to work in all

communities in the region from Kitwanga to

Houston.

Caitie DeBruyne has joined the BV

CDC team as an Occupational Therapist

with the Early Intervention Program for the Smithers, Moricetown and Hazeltons area. She has just recently graduated with a Masters Degree in Occupational Therapy and holds a Bachelor degree in Human Kinetics, both from UBC.

Caitie grew up on a donkey farm in rural Alberta, however has been in BC for the past 10 years skiing and going to Univer-sity. She is happy to be back breathing

fresh air and to be out of the city.

NEXT NEWSLETTER — May/June 2012

Page 4

Mondays 1:00- 3:00 pm

February 6th, 13th , 20th, 2012

Location: CCRR/ Early Child Devel-

opment Bldg (3843 4th Avenue)

For caregivers with

infants 0-12 months

There is no cost to participate

Please call Michelle at 250 847 4122

or

Email: michelle.bourdage@bvcdc.ca

Provided by the BV Child

Development Centre

Newly re-designed check us out!

Baby Massage