FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. – The Fort St. John Child Development Centre -Special Services Program was the winner of the Autism BC Community Impact Award for Northern BC this past weekend.
The Autism BC Awards take place annually and are community nomination awards. A gala took place most years, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the gala was cancelled, and a Facebook Live event happened instead.
The Specials Services Program was awarded a certificate and a $1,000 donation, which will be going towards supplies and equipment for those who access the services.
Tana Millner, Executive Director of the CDC, says she is extremely proud of the staff that operates the program, saying that they have the family’s best interest in mind; that is why the program is as successful as it is.
Crystal Kalas, Supervisor of the Special Services Program, says she’s been in her role almost 20 years, and the program used to be a one on one program but was changed to a group-based program a few years ago, since then she’s noticed friendships developing and connections being made.
Kalas is also proud of her staff, saying that Rebecca, Jhuvy, Dwan, and Treena go above and beyond to create a welcoming space. Their teamwork led the program to the nomination they received from a local family who uses the services that are provided by the program.
