Useful Links
Early Learning and Child Care
The AECEO is the professional association for ECEs and its primary purpose is to advocate for respect, recognition and appropriate wages and working conditions for all ECEs.
The Atkinson Centre for Society and Child Development is a research centre that is committed to using the best available evidence on early child development to inform public discourse, public policy and the professional learning of those who work with young children. The Atkinson Centre currently supports research capacity in community organizations through the Access to ECE research project, there will be a focus on diversity, equity and inclusion in early childhood programs.
The Offord Centre for Child Studies is a multi-disciplinary research institute established in 1992. Through collaboration across fields such as child psychiatry, psychology, epidemiology, paediatrics, policy development, social work, and nursing, the Centre’s aim to better understand children’s mental health problems with the overall goal of improving the lives of children and youth.
Ontario’s central advocacy group for a universal, affordable, high quality, public and non-profit system of early childhood education and care. They promote the creation and implementation of a public child care system in which services are universal, public or non-profit, high quality, affordable, accessible, inclusive, licensed and regulated, and reflect the varied cultural and linguistic backgrounds of Canadian families
Family Resources
A group of professionals whose work focuses on promoting Father Involvement in Canada. Download toolkits to assist you in work with dads, browse training opportunities, and search a directory of programs and organizations across Ontario and Canada that serve dads.
EarlyON Child and Family Centres provide opportunities for children from birth to 6 years of age to participate in play and inquiry-based programs, and support parents and caregivers in their roles. This link will provide a list of EarlyON Child and Family Centres across Ontario.
Promotes the well-being of families by providing national leadership, consultation and resources to those who care for children and support families. Among the resources for practitioners are The Guiding Principles of Family Support and downloadable illustrations for use in programs. Practitioners and families can also search a directory of family resource programs.
Supports families and community-based family resource programs. Practitioners can learn about standards of practice and professional learning opportunities, while families can search a directory of family resource programs in British Columbia.
National Family Support Network (NFSN) is an American organization comprised of statewide networks of two or more Family Support and Strengthening programs, such as Family Resource Centers, working together within a collective impact framework to ensure coordinated quality support for families. NSFN works to promote positive outcomes for all children, families, and communities by leveraging the collective impact of state networks and championing quality family support and strengthening practices and policies.
The Center for the Study of Social Policy works to achieve a racially, economically, and socially just society in which all children, youth, and families thrive. The Center translate ideas into action, promote public policies grounded in equity, and support strong and inclusive communities. The CSSP is well known for its research around the framework of the Five Protective Factors.
Indigenous Organizations and Services
The permanent home for all statements, documents, and other materials gathered by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada. On the NCTR website, you can learn about the Residential School history and access record and materials to help foster reconciliation and healing.
Friendship Centres are places for community members and Indigenous people living in urban spaces to gather, connect with one another and receive culturally based services. Friendship Centres improve the lives of urban Indigenous people by supporting self-determined activities which encourage equal access to, and participation in, Canadian society while respecting Indigenous cultural distinctiveness.
The Institute is a First Nation-led research centre based in the Faculty of Arts at Ryerson University in Toronto, Ontario. Privileging First Nation philosophy and rooted in community networks, Yellowhead is focused on policies related to land and governance. The Institute offers critical and accessible resources for communities in their pursuit of self-determination. It also aims to foster education and dialogue on First Nation governance across fields of study, between the University and the wider community, and among Indigenous peoples and Canadians.
Newcomer Supports and Services
To empower, mentor and provide leadership development programs to immigrants, refugees and other vulnerable girls, women and youth of African origin through advocacy, capacity building programs and sustainable collaborations with relevant stakeholders with similar objectives.
Supports the care and settlement of young immigrant children. The CMAS website includes an online learning centre, resources to inform practice, and downloadable brochures for parents.
Parenting Education
Play and Learn provides expert reviewed games and activities that are appropriate for 3 different age groups: toddler (1.5-2.5 years); preschool (over 2.5 years – 4 years); and kindergarten (over 4 years-6 years). Games and activities are provided in 4 developmental domains, though it is recognized that many developmental concepts overlap. The 4 developmental domains are: 1) Thinking & Learning, 2) Social & Emotional, 3) Movement, and 4) Language.
Roots of Empathy is an international, evidence-based classroom program that has shown significant effect in reducing levels of aggression among schoolchildren by raising social/emotional competence and increasing empathy. The program is designed for children ages 5 to 13. In Canada, the program is delivered in English and French and reaches rural, urban, and remote communities including Indigenous communities. The program is also in New Zealand, the United States, the Republic of Ireland, England, Wales, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Norway, Germany, Switzerland, Netherlands, Costa Rica, and South Korea.
Reaching IN.. Reaching OUT (RIRO) offers two programs to strengthen resiliency. RIRO: Resiliency Skills Training Program provides service providers working in early learning, child care, community/mental health and other settings with the knowledge and skills they need to model and teach resilience approaches to young children, from birth to eight years of age. Their Bounce Back & Thrive! (BBT) provides resiliency skills training for parents with children under eight years of age.
At Circle of Security International, we focus on training providers with many different backgrounds and from many different disciplines to help caregivers connect with the children in their lives. The Circle of Security figure is a central visual used as part of interventions for caregivers, all of which are focused on helping caregivers reflect upon children’s attachment needs in order to promote secure attachment with a child.
Triple P is a parenting program, but it doesn’t tell you how to be a parent. It’s more like a toolbox of ideas. You choose the strategies you need. You choose the way you want to use them. It’s all about making Triple P work for you.
LGBTQ2S Organizations and Services
Dedicated to advocacy for the inclusion of LGBTQ communities. Located in Toronto, The 519 provides leadership, space, and services, including a family resource program.