History & Background

While Infant Development Programs have been offered in BC since 1972, the need for culturally appropriate programs and services for Aboriginal children and families were identified.  Aboriginal Infant Development programs started in 1992 and in 2002, thanks to the efforts of  Dana Brynelsen, the Provincial Advisor for Infant Development Programs, with support from the BC Ministry of Children and Family Development, a provincial office for AIDP was established in 2003. Today, 50 Infant Development programs are running in Aboriginal communities in BC. Currently programs report approx. 1800 children are seen annually.