Child Development Advisor

The School Child Development Program provides support to students and staff at the school level which addresses the full range of services provided as part of the Responsive Services and School-Community Support/Coordination components of the Comprehensive Guidance and Counseling Program model developed by Alberta Education. The program is a planned school-wide program that offers support and addresses issues in the following key domains:

  • social growth and development
  • personal growth and development
  • educational growth and development
  • community support/transition support

Planned activities focus on the acquisition of specific competencies by students to enhance both their social interaction and their academic achievement.  These activities are administrated by the CDA through one-on-one sessions, small groups, or whole class activities. The areas, which are dealt with, include self-esteem, friendship, social skills, anger management, cooperation, classroom survival, conflict resolution, respect, and responsibility. Although emergent and individual crisis-oriented support is provided through the program, the focus of the program is school-wide and preventative in nature.
The Child Development Advisor (CDA) serves as the primary individual who initiates the program development and implementation. Students are referred to the CDA by the classroom teacher, the school resource team, administration, or by parents. Parents must sign consent forms before the CDA may work with the students.  Referral form and consent forms can be obtained from the CDA.

Specific components of the program at the school will include:

  • basic screening of student needs in the social, behavioral and emotional areas
  • support to school staff in recommending and implementing specific strategies that address identified needs
  • support for school wide initiatives that address developmental child and youth issues that are preventative in nature and scope
  • implementation of formalized support groups for targeted students
  • coordination of activities that enhance access to support from the program, and allow for referral to community based support services
  • individual student support that promotes and strengthens social development and academic success
  • support and information for parents
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