What is the Elves Child Development Centre?

• An independent non-profit school accredited by Alberta Education.
• A centre which provides an educational program that promotes maximum development and enhances the quality of life for the students and their families within a supportive and caring environment.
• Serves people aged 2 1/2 to 20 years who are severely developmentally delayed and/or medically fragile.
• Instructional hours are 9:00 am to 2:30 pm, Monday to Friday, from September until June.  Office hours are between 8:00 am and 4:00 pm.
• A summer program (dependent on funding) operates during the summer months.

What does the Educational Program involve?

• Each student has an Individual Program Plan (IPP) which consists of specific goals to be developed based upon his or her needs.
• The IPP considers the areas of receptive and expressive communication, cognitive and academic abilities, daily living skills, social and emotional development, fine and gross motor skills as well as a sensory integration component.
• Goals often involve increasing the students' abilities to communicate and control their environments, develop self-esteem, maintain and/or improve physical abilities, and participate in community leisure activities.

Who works with these special needs students?

• Caring classroom professionals include certified teachers and assistants with educational, rehabilitation and related experience.
• On-site resource teams at both Centres include specialists in the areas of social work, physical and occupational therapy, speech language pathology, and nursing.  these professionals are available to provide on-site consultations and support to students, their families and centre staff.

What does Elves School Program Offer?

• Small classroom sizes.
• Three program sites in close proximity to each other.
• A large area for gross motor activities and exercises, an adapted kitchen and laundry room, a Snoezelen (sensory) room, and vans for community outings.  The Main Cenre also boasts a small indoor pool, patios adjacent to each classroom, and a wheelchair accesible playground area.
• Adapted computers and specially-designed equipment, plus audio/visual materials are available for student use.

What other options are available through the Elves Special Needs Society?

Outreach Program... coordinated by a certified teacher serves the educational needs of students who are unable to attend school for periods of time.  Students are assigned to 'Outreach' on an individual basis.  This program can be offered to pre-school children or school-age students.

Early Education Program... classroom-based program for pre-school children (1 1/2 to 5 years) diagnosed with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder and who are eligible for Program Unit Funding.

What is the Elves' Adult Program?

• The Elves Adult Program is an activity day-program funded by Persons with Developmental Disabilities (PDD) for individuals over 20 years who are severely multiply disabled.
• Instructional hours for this 12-month program are 9:00 am to 3:00 pm, Monday to Friday.  Office hours are between 8:30 am and 4:00 pm.
• Focussing on a positive approach to meeting the clients' needs, Individual Program Plans (IPPs) include daily living skills, communication, fine and gross motor skills, and behavioural management.
• Emphasizes community access activities and functional skills that participants can use in all aspects of their lives.
• Instructional staff have backgrounds and experience in the rehabilitation field.
• A resource staff comprised of nurses, physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech-language therapists and social workers, support client programs.
• Participants are transported to the program and to community-based activities by DATS and by Elves vehicles.
• The program is administered by a Program Director.