A new community project is being launched to support the healthy development of infants to preschool-aged children with the goal of helping Algoma’s youngest residents reach their full potential.
Known as Nurturing Algoma, the project is launching a month-long developmental screening blitz in April to help families identify their child’s strengths and potential areas for extra support before kindergarten.
Conducted in collaboration with the Sault Ste. Marie & Algoma Child & Family Network, the screening offers an opportunity for a district-wide ‘check-up’ of children before they enter school.
"The Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ) is a well-known and trustworthy tool caregivers can use to screen their child’s development from infancy to age six, covering areas like communication, motor skills, problem-solving, and social interactions," Algoma Public Health (APH) said in a news release.
The program features early childhood specialists from across Algoma.
These include EarlyON Centres, Algoma Public Health, THRIVE, Algoma Family Services (AFS), Prince Charles Early Learning Centre, Waabinong Head Start, Indigenous Friendship Centre (IFC), and other local organizations to assist with screenings, scoring, feedback, and referrals to additional services if necessary.
Caregivers can access screening at a number of these organizations around the district, including at local EarlyONs, Algoma Public Health, and the THRIVE Child Development Centre.
APH said the project is also contributing to a national effort to improve early childhood development data.
In collaboration with SickKids in Toronto and Queen’s University in Kingston, Algoma is participating in a research study that will help build the Canadian Database of Development, Infancy to Six (CanDDIS)—the first of its kind in Canada.
Families who take part in the screenings can choose to have their child’s anonymized results included in this database, helping identify service gaps and guide future funding for early years programs, APH said.
How to participate
The Nurturing Algoma screening blitz runs from April 1 to 30. A full list of locations offering the screening and instructions on how to access the service will be available online at algomapublichealth.com/nurturingalgoma
For more information or questions, contact Algoma Public Health at [email protected].