Fraser Valley Child Development Centre

We will provide an overview of the Fraser Valley Child Development Centre and our impact in the lives of children and youth with disabilities and their families. This will be followed by an overview of the Mother Goose program including an exciting new development in Abbotsford, Intergenerational Mother Goose! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8-R_hmxscOY

Karen Dickenson Smith is the CEO of the Fraser Valley Child Development Centre (FVCDC).  The FVCDC’s dedicated team of 120 professionals provides vital services to young people with disabilities and their families throughout BC’s Fraser Valley.  Karen serves on the board of directors of the Federation of Community Social Services of BC and the BC Association for Child Development and Intervention.  With master’s degrees in public health (MPH) and business (MBA), she is drawn to partnering across networks and leading teams to find innovative solutions to complex community needs, remove barriers, and inspire lasting impact.  She is inspired by the FVCDC team, the families we support in collaboration with our partners, and our generous communities.

Leona Fountain has a Bachelor of Arts in child and youth care from UFV.  She has worked both at UFV and at the FVCDC for a total of 30 years.  Her passion is children; they are our future and most important natural resource.  Leona is also passionate about the FVCDC and the work we do.  We recognize that each child has unique abilities and can contribute to our society as they grow.  We want to set kids up for success which looks different for each child.  Leona also wants to come alongside parents, listening and working collaboratively to help realize the potential of their children.