Over the past year, CDI has remained committed to planting seeds of change. Building new lifelines. Growing hope for families in need. And it’s all thanks to you.

Through the support of our CDI family, we continue to provide quality care through essential front-line services, innovative virtual programming and online resources that build resiliency and offset the significant negative impacts on child, youth and family mental health brought on by COVID-19.  

Please visit our COVID-19 Resource Centre to learn more.

Child Development Institute is led by a volunteer Board of Directors who generously give their time and expertise to ensure the best service to the families that we serve.

Click here to learn about CDI’s Board of Directors.

On Black Mental Health Day, Dr. Kofi Belfon, CDI’s Associate Director of Clinical Services, presented Alphabet Soup? Assessment, Formulation, and Treatment Considerations when working with Black Youth as part of the Black Mental Health: Pathways Toward Healing series addressing the impact of anti-Black racism on Black child and youth mental health presented by CAFCAN, Strides Toronto and the sector Anti-Black Racism Task Force.

Dr. Belfon, who is regularly called upon to share his clinical expertise, was also recently featured in this Today’s Parent article.

Click here to watch Dr. Belfon’s talk.

Summer camp is a cherished experience by many children and youth, but for those with mental health challenges and learning disabilities, specialized summer camp programs are essential.

CDI’s spring/summer camp programming is re-opening virtually this year to keep children, youth, families and staff safe amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Registration to CDI’s Camp Towhee Virtual, Camp Wimodausis and Start Right Summer Virtual Camp is now open for eligible participants.

Click here to learn more.

Join our expert panel series Ask CDI on Thursday, April 29, at 7 pm, to learn how you can create an enriching, supportive environment for your child from the comfort and safety of your own home. Discover how to face the challenges of a second pandemic summer with a brand new toolkit of resources to get you and your family excited.

Ask CDI webinars are free and include a question and answer section where you can ask the experts.

Click here to join the conversation on April 29.  

For a library of past Ask CDI recordings, click here.

From May 3 to 9, let’s #GetReal about how we feel for Mental Health Week (MHW). 

The COVID-19 pandemic has created a time of unprecedented stress and anxiety, with feelings of social isolation, fear and uncertainty on the rise. In a recent study, the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) found that 40% of Canadians are reporting deteriorated mental health since the onset of the pandemic.

We encourage you to begin or continue the dialogue around mental health with your family, and to participate in the conversation online using the hashtags #GetReal and #ResilientWeGrow. Be sure to tag us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn. 

Learn more about Canada's 70th Annual Mental Health Week at www.mentalhealthweek.ca.

CDI offers a range of interactive workshops for parents, caregivers and educators of children with learning disabilities. These workshops are specially crafted by our expert clinicians, diving deep into topics such as anxiety, executive functioning, emotion regulation and memory challenges.

Click here for a full list of CDI’s upcoming Spring Workshops.