Child Development Institute

03/17/2026

Today is !

At CDI, social workers are skilled clinicians, advocates and system navigators who play a critical role in supporting the mental health and wellbeing of our community’s children and youth.

Through evidence-informed assessment, intervention and service coordination, they address complex mental health needs while working collaboratively with families, schools and community partners to achieve equitable outcomes for all.

Today and throughout National Social Work Month, we celebrate the impact, expertise and leadership of our social workers. Thank you for all that you bring to CDI and the families we support. 💙

03/02/2026

March is National Social Work Month, and this week we recognize — a meaningful time to celebrate the dedication, compassion, and expertise of social workers across our communities.

At CDI, our social workers play a critical role in supporting children, youth, and families through complex moments of growth. Through family counselling, school-based treatment programs, gender-based violence services, and so much more, our teams blend empathy, understanding, and evidence-based practices to meet the evolving and diverse needs of those we serve.

A big thank you to our incredible team of social workers, and to our many community partners, for the undeniable impact you make every day. 💙

03/02/2026

March 2-8 is , a time to raise awareness of the historic and ongoing inequities within mental health systems and the disproportionate impacts of anti-Black racism on mental health and wellbeing.

At CDI, our mental health services strive to provide care that is inclusive, culturally informed, and responsive to the lived experiences of the Black children, youth, and families we serve.

Meaningful change begins with awareness, connection, and shared responsibility. This week and beyond, please join us in listening, reflecting, and continuing to challenge the barriers that impact mental health equity for Black communities.

02/20/2026

Join CDI’s free online workshop “Walk a Mile in My Shoes” on Thursday, February 26!

Designed to give participants an understanding of what it might feel like to have a (LD), this workshop explains current thinking in the field of LDs and shares a practical understanding of how they may affect mental health and everyday life at home and school.

Register today: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/ldmh-winter-2026-workshop-series-tickets-1983382904659?aff=oddtdtcreator

02/18/2026

Due to inclement weather, CDI's EarlyON Centre and Early Learning Centres will be closed today (Wednesday, February 18, 2026).

Our other clinical offices will be pivoting to virtual services where possible. If you have any questions, please reach out to our team: https://childdevelop.ca/home/contact-us/

02/02/2026

This February, we are proud to join communities across Canada in celebrating Black History Month — a time to reflect on the remarkable contributions of Black Canadians, listen and learn from community voices, and reaffirm our shared responsibility to address the systemic barriers that Black communities continue to face.

At CDI, our work with children, youth, and families is strengthened by embedding IDEA into our programs and policies, investing in continuous learning for our teams, and working alongside community partners to ensure equitable outcomes for all those we serve.

This month and beyond, thank you to those who continue to support, inform, and inspire this ongoing work. 🧡

01/26/2026

Due to inclement weather, CDI's EarlyON Centre and Early Learning Centres will be closed today (Monday, January 26, 2026).

Our other clinical offices will be pivoting to virtual services where possible. If you have any questions, please reach out to our team: https://ow.ly/IctV50XXbIe

01/15/2026

Due to inclement weather, CDI's EarlyON Centre and Early Learning Centres will be closed today (Thursday, January 15, 2026).

Our other clinical offices will be pivoting to virtual services where possible. If you have any questions, please reach out to our team: https://ow.ly/IctV50XXbIe

12/22/2025

New look — same trusted program.

We are thrilled to share a fresh new look for CDI’s Mothers in Mind (MIM®) program as we celebrate two decades of impact!

Over the last 20 years, MIM has provided critical support for mothers and their young children as they heal from experiences of violence. While our look is changing, the heart of the program remains the same: empowering mothers and children, building connection and community, and providing evidence-informed, compassionate care.

This milestone is a testament to the strength of the mothers we serve and reflects CDI’s growing community who continue to help make this journey possible.

Here's to the next chapter of Mothers in Mind — together! 💜

12/10/2025

At CDI, our commitment to IDEA and Truth and Reconciliation calls us to ensure that our programs are shaped by and reflect the communities we serve.

Our Mothers in Mind (MIM®) program has been adapted to honour the strengths and identities of Toronto’s urban Indigenous mothers and their children — ensuring the support they receive is rooted in culture and informed by community leaders.

Thank you to our partners at Native Child and Family Services of Toronto for your leadership in shaping this adaptation of MIM — ensuring that mothers and children affected by family violence have access to safe, culturally-grounded spaces.

For more information about Mothers in Mind, please visit: https://childdevelop.ca/child-youth-mental-health-services/gender-based-violence-services/ -in-mind

12/10/2025

Did you know? In addition to our Mothers in Mind® (MIM) and Here to Help group programs, CDI partners with local shelters to support mothers and their children who have experienced through a range of services, including:

🟣 Shelter Programs: Individual counselling and parenting support for mothers and children (ages 0-18)

🟣 School Liaison Program: Transitional assistance for children (ages 4-16) adjusting to new schools

🟣 Taste of Home: An after-school cooking program for children (ages 6-17) to promote healthy life skills and mindfulness techniques

🟣 Transitional & Housing Support Program: Support for female-identifying adults/moms who have experienced domestic violence and/or are victims of human trafficking

For more information, explore our programs and reach out to our team: https://childdevelop.ca/child-youth-mental-health-services/gender-based-violence-services/

If you are a woman in crisis, please call the Assaulted Women’s Helpline at 416-863-0511; or text “SAFE” to 7233.

12/10/2025

Thank you to WomanACT for bringing awareness to Mothers in Mind (MIM®) as we celebrate the program’s 20th anniversary this of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence.

Registration is open! If you are a mother or a service provider interested in learning more about MIM, reach out to our team today: https://childdevelop.ca/child-youth-mental-health-services/gender-based-violence-services/

We are proud to spotlight our member organization, Child Development Institute (CDI) as they celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Mothers in Mind® (MIM) program — a trauma-informed group program for mothers and their young children (ages 0-4) who have experienced family violence. 💜

For two decades, MIM has created a safe, playful, and supportive space for mothers to heal, build on their parenting strengths, respond sensitively to their child’s needs, and connect with others who understand their experiences.

During these Against Gender-Based Violence, we are proud to shine a light on the incredible resilience of these mothers, and to help raise awareness about the services available in our community for families affected by gender-based violence.

Learn more about MIM and CDI’s range of Gender-Based Violence Services here: https://childdevelop.ca/child-youth-mental-health-services/gender-based-violence-services/