Caregiver
Handbook

Caregiver Handbook

Our Caregiver Handbook is your complete guide to Children First. It contains valuable information about how we will work together and provides families with an introduction to our services.

Our Promise and What to Expect

Children First offers a variety of services for families with children from birth to age six who have developmental or mental health challenges. Our goal is to support you and your child through early identification and intervention, giving you the best chance for success.

Before you and your child start using our services, it’s important to understand the benefits and potential risks.

How Our Services Can Help Your Family

Understanding Your Child

We can provide valuable information about how your child is doing.

Recognizing Strengths and Needs

We’ll help you understand your child’s strengths and needs, and what might be affecting them.

Improving Daily Life

We offer support to help your child function better at home, in child care, at school, and in the community.

Better Family Relationships

Our services can help improve relationships within your family.

Reducing Stress

You might feel less stressed and worried with our support.

Addressing New Concerns

If we find new concerns during our time together, we can help you and your child with those too.

Connecting to Other Services

We can assist your child and family in accessing other important services.

We’re Here to Support You and Your Child
Every Step of the Way

While we are here to help, it’s important to know that there can be some challenges when working with us:

  • Not Every Solution Works for Everyone: We always do our best, but sometimes early intervention might not bring the changes you hope for. In some cases, things might even feel harder during or after our services.
  • Sensitive Topics: We might ask questions or talk about things that are sensitive and could make you or your child feel uncomfortable.
  • Unexpected Feedback: Sometimes, we might share feedback or a diagnosis that you didn’t expect or might not agree with.
  • New Concerns: During our time together, we might discover other concerns that weren’t initially discussed, which could be upsetting.

Why It's Important to Engage in Our Services

If you decide not to participate in our services, there are a few things to consider:

  • Your Child’s Progress: Your child’s development might not improve as much as it could.
  • Caregiver Stress: You might feel more stressed without the extra support.
  • Family Challenges: It could create more challenges within your family relationships.
  • Access to Other Services: There might be delays in getting other important services your child may need.

Important Information About Your Privacy

When you and your child use our services, we collect and use personal information to provide the best care. Here are some things to keep in mind:

  • Voluntary Service: Our services are voluntary, but if we find serious needs (medical, physical, emotional, or social) that aren’t being addressed, we might need to inform the Children’s Aid Society to ensure your child’s safety.
  • Child Protection: If we learn about any risks to your child’s safety, we are required by law to report this to the Children’s Aid Society.
  • Personal Information: We may ask for personal information about your child, yourself, and your family. This information will be included in your child’s file.
  • Seeking Information: With your permission, we might ask for information from other sources (like child care, school, or babysitters) and let them know that your child is receiving our services.
  • Storing Information: The information we collect is stored in your child’s file and might be accessed in the future if required by law or professional standards.
Your Privacy Matters to Us
At Children First, we collect and use personal information to provide the best care and services for your family. We also follow all legal requirements to keep your information safe. We have a Privacy and Confidentiality Policy that explains how we collect, use, and share your personal health information.

Request a Paper Copy

Use the form to request a digital (PDF) or printed Parent Handbook in English, French, Chinese, or Arabic. You can choose to have it emailed to you or picked up at the Children First location.

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