OT Session © Courtesy of Starbright Children’s Development Centre
Starbright Children’s Development Centre has been making a significant impact in Kelowna, British Columbia, for nearly 60 years. The Centre provides early intervention services to children under school entry age who are facing developmental challenges, creating lasting change through its work with families. The Centre’s success is not only driven by its dedicated staff, but also by the essential partnerships it has cultivated within the community.
Part of the Service Delivery Landscape
Starbright works alongside a network of community partners, health organizations, and local stakeholders who offer specialized services for children with developmental needs. These partnerships play a vital role in referring children, supporting their families, and delivering the therapeutic services required for the children Starbright serves.
Notable provincial partners include BC Children’s Hospital, Sunny Hill Health Centre for Children, CanAssist, Down Syndrome Foundation, BC Early Hearing Program, and the BC Family Hearing Resource Society. Additionally, Starbright collaborates with local clinics, health centres, daycares, and preschools across the Okanagan.
Through its talented staff, Starbright offers a wide range of specialized services, including infant development, occupational therapy, speech-language pathology, physical therapy, inclusive childcare, and counselling. Thanks to a generous donation from the Stober Foundation, Starbright recently hired a Board-Certified Behaviour Analyst to further support the families they serve.
Connections with Other Child Development Centres
A valuable connection for Starbright is the B.C. Association for Child Development and Intervention (BCACDI), a province-wide organization of child development agencies. As a member, Starbright benefits from shared best practices, learning opportunities, and advocacy for the importance of early intervention services.
“We work with child development centres throughout the province as part of our mandate,” says Dr. Noreen Simmons, Executive Director for the BC Family Hearing Resource Society, also a BCACDI member. “Starbright is an agency that does great work for its community. The staff is exceptionally caring and collaborative, always finding the best ways to assist children with special needs.”
Sharing a Focus with Local Childcare Providers
Starbright’s collaborations with local childcare providers, such as daycares and preschools, are key to ensuring that children with developmental challenges are included and supported in these environments.
“I’ve been aware of Starbright’s work for 10 years,” says Karen Smiley, Owner of Smileykins Childcare. “When a child at our daycare needs an assessment, we work with the parents to connect them with Starbright. The staff is always professional, caring, and expert in their approach.”
Jessie Davis, Owner of Knox Kids Co., also highlights the importance of Starbright in the community. “When we have children with developmental delays or autism, we call Starbright. They provide expertise and sometimes place one of their staff with us to deliver the needed support. Knowing we can access Starbright gives us peace of mind and confidence in caring for any child.”
Partnerships with Health Professionals
Starbright collaborates with various organizations in Central Okanagan to ensure children with developmental challenges receive the necessary care.
Interior Health is a long-time partner. “As a Speech Language Pathologist with Interior Health, I work closely with Starbright to provide comprehensive care for children with speech and language needs,” says Deborah Saville. “We share referrals, collaborate on treatment plans, and conduct joint therapy sessions to provide coordinated care. This partnership allows us to address the full range of a child’s developmental needs.”
Meaghan Ross, a Coordinator with UBC Faculty of Medicine’s Southern Medical Program, shares, “Through our partnership with Starbright, our students gain unique learning opportunities, observing and participating in therapies provided at Starbright. Our students gain firsthand experience in speech therapy, physiotherapy, and developmental services, which equips them with a deeper understanding of working with children and families.”
“Families trust Starbright because it’s an essential resource,” Ross adds. “It provides not only specialized therapies but also a network of support for families, offering a safe and child-friendly environment where families can feel empowered and supported.”
Community Giving Back
Starbright’s longstanding relationships have built a strong reputation within the community. “We have long-term relationships with local businesses that support us every year,” says Dr. Rhonda Nelson, Starbright’s Executive Director. “These organizations recognize the value of the work we do, and their support is invaluable.”
Examples include TD Bank staff who have made Starbright a regular stop for their Days of Caring, where they refresh various areas of the Centre. Earlier this year, they transformed the front landscaping of Starbright.
RBC staff also participates in Day of Caring events, one of which involved assembling bicycles donated to Starbright by Lake Country Cycle, which were then gifted to Starbright families.
The Kelowna Firefighters host an annual Secret Santa event, in which all active client names are put in a draw and those who are drawn receive Christmas gifts presented by “Santa and the Elves.”
Local community members Jason Picklyk and Mohini Singh have fundraised for Starbright since 2016, raising funds for essential developments such as a new playground, a shade sail, a wheelchair lift, and therapy equipment.
A Single-Minded Focus on Families
“We know early intervention is key to helping children attain skills and meet developmental goals,” says Nelson. “We provide a vital service in Kelowna, and that’s our entire focus.”
A child can be referred to Starbright with the family’s consent by anyone, including a family member, pediatrician, family doctor, public health nurse, or childcare provider. No diagnosis is required.
Starbright is a charitable non-profit organization providing therapy and program services to families with young children who have developmental needs.
Join their exciting 50/50 raffle for a chance to win, give back, and make a difference.
Learn more at starbrightokanagan.ca
Get your free copy of Global Heroes, jam-packed with positive news, straight in your inbox.
Starbright Children’s Development Centre is a charitable non-profit organization providing therapy and program services to families with children aged birth to school age eligibility throughout the Central Okanagan (Peachland to Oyama, B.C.).