Child Development Resources (CDR) was founded in Williamsburg 55 years ago by volunteers from the St. Martin’s Episcopal Mission’s education committee. Long before anyone knew that early learning was critical for brain development, these volunteers were concerned about children in our community who had disabilities or delays and had no early childhood education program available to them. The volunteers knew instinctively that there was only a short period of opportunity for getting these very young children and their families the support they needed to learn and grow. They founded CDR as a way to meet this urgent need. Here’s their website if you want more complete information. https://www.cdr.org/
CDR provides family centered services to over 1,200 young children and their families who live in Williamsburg, James City County, York, or Poquoson. CDR serves as the Central Point of Entry to services for young children and expectant families and through its TOTS line (566-TOTS) offers a variety of services to children with health and development concerns, provided primarily in their homes, which maximize successful outcomes for children and support school readiness. CDR's mission is to inspire and empower children, families, and professionals to reach their full potential, whatever their challenges. Services also support the important role of fathers in their children's lives and the skill development of early childhood professionals who care for the health and well-being of children and families.
Here are the programs this organization offers:
Infant and Parent Program
The program works with children from birth to age three with developmental delays or disabilities. The program helps children reach their full potential and gives families the resources they need to support their child’s development. The program is based on the premise that the earlier the intervention, the brighter the future for the child and for the family as a whole. In addition to working with the child, CDR specialists also give parents the practical and emotional support they need. This program serves approximately 400 children per year. Developmental screenings and assessments are provided at no cost to the family. Specialized services such as physical, occupational, and speech therapy are billed to insurance, and no family is denied services due to inability to pay. Early intervention services take place primarily in the family’s home.
Early Head Start (EHS)
From before the baby is born until that child reaches his or her third birthday, EHS promotes family self-reliance and healthy parent-child relationships through a range of support services for families in Williamsburg, James City, York County, and Poquoson. This program provides intensive comprehensive child development and family support services to low-income infant and toddlers and their families. CDR provides both home-based and center-based services in this program, including at its two First Steps Child Care & Development Centers located at Lafayette High School and the Griffin-Yeates Center
All Early Head Start services are free, but families must qualify based on one of the following criteria:
Income –federal poverty guidelines
Homelessness
Foster child
At least 10 percent of the babies and toddlers enrolled in Early Head Start must be children with disabilities, so families of children with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
Parents As Teachers (PAT)
This program helps families overcome obstacles that get in the way of early learning and helps parents develop the skills they need to be their child’s first and most important teacher.
PAT can assist with:
Eating/nutrition
Household routines
Car seat safety
Finding hazards
Preparing for emergencies
First aid
Play and development
Child behavior
Language
Thinking skills
Movement
Determining family needs
Setting goals and steps
Families involved in this program typically take part in twice-monthly home visits and a variety of parent groups and playgroups.
PAT also helps pregnant women learn about prenatal development, health and nutrition, and help with newborn infant care.
Development Playgroup
Playgroup provides a chance for infants and toddlers to interact with other children of the same age, to explore and play in a safe and exciting environment that might not be available to them at home, to practice the skills they’ll need once they start preschool, and sometimes to work on areas of special need. Playgroup is offered M-F at CDR’s main office in Norge, from 9:30-11:30 am. Children are typically assigned to one day per week, and 15-20 children participate each day. While the children are busy playing and learning, the parents have a chance to observe them and to meet with other parents for information sharing and support in CDR’s Parent Group.
Fatherhood
Children are more likely to lead healthy, successful lives when both their mother and father are actively involved in their lives in positive ways. A father’s presence matters!
CDR’s free Fatherhood programs support dads and families with one-on-one and group assistance with parenting, relationships, health, employment, money matters, and personal growth opportunities. We want to help you by providing support on your path to becoming a stronger father figure in a child’s life.
A number of programs are offered under the “Fatherhood” umbrella, including “24/7 Dads” and “Rookie Dads.”
Motherhood
The purpose of this program is to support, encourage, and educate moms and mothers-to-be. The slogan is “creating a village one mom at a time. Here are some of the programs offered under this umbrella
Breastfeeding support and Baby Weigh Station
Infant Message
Mothers and Babies – a six-week series designed for prenatal and postpartum moms
Like every other program that serves disadvantaged residents of our community, CDR relies on volunteers and donations to meet the needs of its clients. You can volunteer in one of the two childcare centers, as a playground volunteer, or in the office.
You can donate money – or you can go to the CDR Wish List on Amazon and buy something they need. https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2FWT78C8VQH43?ref_=wl_share
I could have used this 50 years ago. Sounds like a very good facility. Another one I didn't know about until now. Thanks.