Children First

Children First Every Child. Every Opportunity. Any Future✨ Children First has adopted a family-centered approach to organizing and providing assistance and support to families.

Children First in Essex County provides services to families with children from birth to six years of age who are at risk for or who are experiencing developmental or mental health challenges. This approach is based upon the principles of respecting every family’s individuality. Family-centered services respect the strengths and resourcefulness of all families and aim to support and encourage fami

lies in their efforts to independently meet the needs of their child with special needs and other family members in ways that they define as functional and appropriate for them. A philosophy of family-centered services promises openness and flexibility to accommodate diversity in family beliefs, values, and functioning styles and the changes that families undergo continually as they cope with expected and unexpected life events. The family-centered philosophy at Children First is based on the following assumptions:

All people have strengths;
All people benefit from support and encouragement;
All people have different but equally valued skills, abilities and knowledge;
All people should have the opportunity to be fully included within their communities
All families have hopes, dreams and wishes for their children;
All families are resourceful, but all families do not have equal access to resources;
All families should be assisted in ways that help them maintain their dignity and hope;
All families should be equal partners in the relationship with service providers;

We are guided by the following Key Principles:

Infants and young children learn best through everyday experiences and interactions with familiar people in familiar contexts. All families, with the necessary supports and resources, can enhance their children’s learning, development and social-emotional well-being. The primary role of a service provider in early intervention is to work with and support family members and caregivers in children’s lives. The early intervention process, from initial contacts through transition, must be dynamic and individualized to reflect the child’s and family members’ preferences, learning styles and cultural beliefs. Individual Family Plan outcomes must be functional and based on children’s and families’ needs and family-identified priorities. The family’s priorities, needs and interests are addressed most appropriately by a primary provider who represents and receives team and community support. Interventions with young children and family members must be based on explicit principles, validated practices, best available research, and relevant laws and regulations. Adapted in part from the Workgroup on Principles and Practices in Natural Environments (November, 2007) Agreed upon mission and key principles for providing early intervention services in natural environments.

We will be CLOSED today for a staff breakaway day! We'll be back to our regularly scheduled hours tomorrow😊
04/14/2026

We will be CLOSED today for a staff breakaway day! We'll be back to our regularly scheduled hours tomorrow😊

Parent Link is a community education guide for parents, caregivers, families, children and youth listing courses, groups...
04/13/2026

Parent Link is a community education guide for parents, caregivers, families, children and youth listing courses, groups, and workshops available in Windsor-Essex💙
Check out Spring 2026 Courses today:https://www.hdgh.org/uploads/TripleP/ParentLink/Parent%20Link_Spring%202026%20v5.pdf

04/13/2026

Join HDGH's Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) team for their April FASD Caregiver Support Group where attendees will help brainstorm future FASD Group events and the September 2026 FASD Awareness Day celebrations.

Happy Easter from all of us at Children First🐰🌷Marcella and Kim visited the Rotary Club of Windsor (1918) this week to m...
04/03/2026

Happy Easter from all of us at Children First🐰🌷Marcella and Kim visited the Rotary Club of Windsor (1918) this week to meet with Laura and pick up the Easter baskets that are donated for our families every year. Thank you to the Rotary Club for continuing this heartfelt tradition in memory of their past member, Mark Donlon💜

Please note: our office is closed for Good Friday and Easter Monday.

Today we celebrate the spectrum for World Autism Awareness Day! Did you know that World Autism Awareness Day on April 2n...
04/02/2026

Today we celebrate the spectrum for World Autism Awareness Day! Did you know that World Autism Awareness Day on April 2nd has been celebrated since 2007? Although "awareness" is in the title, let's work on acceptance, appreciation and inclusion. Today we’re celebrating neurodiversity so wear your tie‑dye to show your support❤️🧡💛💚💙💜

✨As Child Life Month comes to a close, we hope you have enjoyed learning a little more about how our Child Life program ...
03/31/2026

✨As Child Life Month comes to a close, we hope you have enjoyed learning a little more about how our Child Life program supports children and families in your community.

Through play, preparation, and supportive relationships, Child Life Specialists help children understand what’s happening, express their feelings, and find ways to cope with difficult experiences. Tools like medical play kits, storybooks, fidget tools, and feelings activities help make big moments feel a little more manageable💙

While Child Life Month is wrapping up, this work continues every day, and we are so grateful to support the children and families that we work with. If you think that Child Life Specialist services could benefit your child under the age of 6, please consider making a referral by contacting Children First at 519-250-1850. Happy Child Life Month!👧👦👶

-Natalie Favero, M.Sc., CCLS (Certified Child Life Specialist)

03/30/2026

We are getting close to the end of of Child Life Month! In this video, Natalie talks about some of the tools she uses with children and families💙

03/27/2026

Ceritifed Child Life Specialist Natalie walks us through using a simple tool - a breathing ball! Happy Child Life Month💙

March 26th is Purple Day which is a global day to raise awareness and understanding of epilepsy. Wear purple today, atte...
03/26/2026

March 26th is Purple Day which is a global day to raise awareness and understanding of epilepsy. Wear purple today, attend an event, or check out the hashtag on social media to learn more about epilepsy💜💜💜

March 21st is World Down Syndrome Day💛💙This year's theme is "Together Against Loneliness". Loneliness is a serious probl...
03/21/2026

March 21st is World Down Syndrome Day💛💙

This year's theme is "Together Against Loneliness". Loneliness is a serious problem. It is not just a sad feeling. It is bad for our health and happiness. Being present is not the same as being included.

Yesterday at Children First our employees rocked their socks!

Eid Mubarak! Wishing everyone a blessed Eid with your loved ones🌙💙
03/20/2026

Eid Mubarak! Wishing everyone a blessed Eid with your loved ones🌙💙

Regional Children’s Centre is offering a 7‑week Trauma Informed Parenting Group to help caregivers build connection, und...
03/16/2026

Regional Children’s Centre is offering a 7‑week Trauma Informed Parenting Group to help caregivers build connection, understanding, and resilience at home. Day and evening groups are available.
💜 All types of families are welcome.
📞 To join, call 519‑257‑5437.

Address

2565 Ouellette Avenue, Suite 105
Windsor, ON
N8X1L9

Opening Hours

Monday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Thursday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Friday 8:30am - 4:30pm

Telephone

+15192501850

Website

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