Valley Community Services Board, staff and participants would like to thank the Mayor and Council for the Town of Creston, Regional District of Central Kootenay Directors of Electoral Areas A, B and C, parents and community members for their combined efforts to support and maintain the programs and services located in the Creston Education Centre. Thank you to the Town of Creston for working quickly to negotiate the property transfer and to the Regional District for the support and partnership that makes ownership viable. Many hundreds of hours have gone into ensuring this facility remains a community asset, and for this we are grateful. These combined efforts will preserve this asset for future generations, strengthening our community and attracting new residents.
The hard work, support, and tenacity of all those involved in advocating for the continued operation of this Early Years Centre has preserved the model of co-located service for families in Creston. This model, built through collaboration over the past 13 years is the reason Early Years supports and services in Creston have been so successful. These programs serve upwards of 150 families per year and we often host more than 300 children and adults at our special celebration events. This amount of service is unusual for a small community and new families often cite the availability of these programs as one of the reasons they are attracted to Creston and the surrounding communities.
In addition to those programs that encourage social interaction and give families a place to get to know one another, referrals are easily made to other programs that provide support for families and the healthy development of their young children. The programs that comprise what is known as “Family Place” include; Little Chefs - part of the Community Action Program for Children funded by the Public Health Agency of Canada, Pregnancy Outreach, the Family Resource Program and Infant Development Program funded by the Ministry of Children and Family Development, Growing Healthy Families, funded by Columbia Basin Trust, Muffins and More, funded by Interior Health and Strong Start, funded by School District 8. Gleaners provide support to programs by donating funds to purchase food.
Other services in this location funded by the Ministry of Children and Family Development and delivered by School District 8 include speech/language supports, physical therapy, and occupational therapy. The co-location of these programs with other Early Intervention supports facilitates referrals and increases the effectiveness of all programming. In addition, the School District also delivers the Homelinks and Wildflower programs at the Creston Education Centre. Families with students in these programs also access the Early Years programs in this Centre.
The advantage for Creston of these combined programs is a healthier, happier community. Thanks to everyone who made it possible for them to continue at the Creston Education Centre.
-Submitted by Valley Community Services