Our Story
 In the early seventies, a group of concerned parents and professionals began
to explore ways to offer Physiotherapy to community children with Cerebral
Palsy. In March 1976 the Quesnel and District Cerebral Palsy Association became
a registered charity. At that time twelve local children received Physiotherapy
services from a therapist who traveled from either Williams Lake or Prince
George depending on availability. This service was wholly funded through
community donations and was dependent on road conditions, the availability of
space, and the cooperation of the Physiotherapist. The parents of these children
and their supporters organized fundraisers and lobbied the provincial government
for grants to fund services to children with Cerebral Palsy. Provincial funding
was eventually received and the Quesnel Cerebral Palsy Association hired its
first paediatric physiotherapist, thus assuring delivery of services on a
regular basis.
Our first permanent home was located in Helen Dixon Elementary School with
Physiotherapy on the third floor and Preschool in the basement! Preschool was
open to both typical children and children with special needs aged three and
four. Since our inception we have maintained a philosophy that supports
inclusion.
 In 1980, our Board of Directors in collaboration with other organizations
purchased a shared building on Hoy Street, known as the Community Services
Building. Shortly after this purchase the Infant Development Program was added
to the services we offer and since then has become an integral part of the
spectrum of services available to the children of our community. Over the
intervening years we have received contracts to provide Speech Language
Pathology, and a Family Support Worker. These programs along with the existing
programs formed the basis for an early intervention interdisciplinary team that
was better equipped to meet the needs of the child within the context of their
family. Since then we have added an Occupational Therapist to work with
school-aged children and a Pregnancy Outreach Program to provide services to
expectant mothers. With the additional services came more children! By 1986,
over 100 children were receiving one or more services from the Quesnel and
District Cerebral Palsy Association. In 1987, the association changed its name
to better reflect the services being provided and the wide range of
developmental delays being identified in the children referred. Since then, the
Quesnel and District Child Development Centre Association has continued to
provide the spectrum of services children with developmental challenges need.
 Space
soon became an issue, which the Board of Directors addressed by purchasing a
building on Elliott Street along with some adjoining lots. The building now
currently occupied was a true community project, with renovations, painting,
materials, and over 5000 volunteer hours being donated by individuals and
businesses. The move to our new building took place in January 1989. With a
great deal of help from the community the move was accomplished in only a few
hours.
Community support for the organization has continued to grow. Since 1984 the
community, through its annual Telethon, has generously supported the CDC. The
money raised each year has made it possible for us to continue to offer high
quality services. Aside from the money raised, the telethon provides a venue for
local musicians, storytellers, drama groups and dancers of all ages to showcase
their talent. The Telethon also provides us with the opportunity to talk about
the many ways we promote the developmental health of the children in our
community.
The CDC continues to be recognized as a community leader in services for
children with special needs. Many of the programs currently offered are
provided throughout the community at schools, daycares, homes, and other
agencies. As the needs of the community have grown, so have the range and extent
of the services we offer. The staff members of the CDC touch the lives of over
400 children and their families each year. We are honored to have had the
opportunity to assist the children in our community to reach their full
potential as adults. Every child belongs and every child deserves the
opportunity to exercise their right of citizenship by participating to the best
of their ability in the life of their community.
If you have any ideas about how we can improve our services, please contact us.
Revised March 2006
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