Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What is Child Development Institute?
Q. What programs and services do you offer?
Q. Who do you serve?
Q. What is the age range of the children you serve?
Q. How much do your services cost?
Q. How are you funded?
Q. Where are you located?
Q. Are your services offered in any languages other than English?
Q. How is information about my child and family kept?
Q. How are parents involved in the treatment process?
Q. How do I know that my child is receiving services from qualified practitioners?
Q. When are appointments scheduled?
Q. What if I have a complaint about the services I received?
Q. Are CDI’s Early Learning Centre only available to CDI clients?
 

Q. What is Child Development Institute?
A. Child Development Institute (CDI) is a fully accredited children’s mental health organization offering a broad range of services for children, youth and their families, including:

• Five licensed, not-for-profit early learning (child care) centres in the City of Toronto
• Parkdale-High Park Ontario Early Years Centre
• Individual, family and group counselling
• Parent support and education
• A summer day camp for children (ages 6-11) with behavioural problems
• Programs for children and mothers who have experienced abuse
• Specialized classrooms and other school-based services
• Programs for girls and boys (ages 6-11) with conduct disorders and disruptive behaviour
• Consultation and support for child care centres working with children with special needs
• Counselling, therapy and a residential therapeutic camp for children and youth with learning disabilities and mental health issues (LDMH)

Q. What programs and services do you offer?
A. Our programs and services are organized into four streams: Early Intervention Services, Family Violence Services, the Integra Program and Healthy Child Development. We also offer research and training for professionals.

Q. Who do you serve?
A. Our Early Intervention programs help children with social, emotional, behavioural or developmental challenges and their families.

Our Family Violence Services, for children ages 0-16 and their families, include support for women and children living in shelters and children and youth who have experienced sexual abuse or sexual assault.

Our Integra program provides family-centred, evidence-informed direct clinical services to children and youth ages 8 to 18 with diagnosed learning disabilities and mental health issues (LDMH)..

Our Healthy Child Development program, including five child care centres, provides young children with a healthy start in a child-focused, play-based early learning environment. We work together with each child and family to determine if CDI is the right fit. If CDI is not the right fit, we help the family access the most appropriate services.

Q. What is the age range of the children you serve?
A. We offer evidence-based programs for children ages 0-12 and youth ages 13-18.

Q. How much do your services cost?
A. The majority of our programs and services are available to children and families living in Toronto at no direct cost to our clients. However, costs are associated with some programs delivered by the Integra Program, including Towhee Summer Residential Program, Mindfulness Martial Arts, Young Warriors and LDMH-related workshops (subsidies are available for families who qualify). To learn more about the fees for specific Integra programs, contact 416-603-1827.

There are also costs associated with our child care services (where subsidies may be available).

Q. How are you funded?
A. Child Development Institute receives funding from a number of sources including all three levels of government, the United Way of Greater Toronto, foundations, corporations, service clubs, employee groups and individual donors.

Q. Where are you located?
A. CDI has multiple locations throughout Toronto. Specific programs and services are offered at specific locations. Please see Our Locations for further details.

Q. Are your services offered in any languages other than English?
A. Portuguese, Spanish and Cantonese counselling services are available. We will work with you to obtain an interpreter if any language barrier exists, or we will assist you in finding services in your first language, whenever possible.

Q. How is information about my child and family kept?
A. Information that you share with us is confidential. A client file, which is kept for a minimum of seven years according to legal requirements, will be maintained containing written reports by our workers and other professionals. Our files are open to clients and you will receive copies of our reports. Legally, information and reports in your file cannot be shared with any outside person or organization without your written permission. The only people with access to your files are the workers involved with you, and their manager. However, we have a legal responsibility to report suspected cases or the risk of child abuse to the appropriate children's aid society. We must also report our concerns if we feel that a child may pose a threat to him/herself or to others.

Q. How are parents involved in the treatment process?
A. We are committed to creating a strong partnership between parents/caregivers and CDI staff in order to make a positive difference in your child and family's situation. In most programs, you will be actively involved from the start in planning and reviewing services and setting goals for your child and family. You will always receive information about the program your child is involved in, and your wishes and concerns will be carefully attended to.

Q. How do I know that my child is receiving services from qualified practitioners?
A. All CDI services meet the quality standards of our municipal and provincial funding partners. We are accredited by Children's Mental Health Ontario, which ensures that our government-funded treatment services have passed rigorous province-wide standards. Our licensed child care centres meet the requirements of The Day Nurseries Act and the standards set out by the province and the city. CDI is a United Way Member Agency and meets their high standards for performance and accessibility. All CDI services are operated in accordance with our quality assurance practices.

Q. When are appointments scheduled?
A. We understand the demands of a busy family life. In many of our programs, we are able to offer services at times that do not conflict with school or employment. In some programs, we are able to meet with you in your home or at your child's school or daycare centre.

Q. What if I have a complaint about any of the services I received?
A. CDI takes all concerns and issues you raise seriously and will endeavour to address them as quickly as possible. Our Client Complaint Policy is available to you from the Intake Worker and all program staff. You and your child are encouraged to express concerns or issues about services directly with your worker. We find this approach usually helps resolve differences. Your next step would be to talk with your worker's manager. Then, if unresolved, the Chief Executive Officer will become involved in the process.

Q. Are CDI’s Early Learning Centre only available to CDI clients?
A. No, our Early Learning Centres offer community-based child care in an inclusive early learning environment.