Prevention Speech

The Community Health Speech-Language Program provides services for children from birth to 5 years of age who have or who are at risk of communication delays. It is a single-discipline program with services provided by speech-language pathologists. Depending on the region, services may also be provided in conjunction with communication health assistants.

Children are able to access speech-language services through Community Health until they are eligible for kindergarten entry by their year of birth. Once children are eligible for kindergarten, publicly-funded speech-language services can be accessed through the school. 

Note that in some regions, children who have ongoing physiotherapy and/or occupational therapy needs are seen for services by different programs, where their speech-language support is provided in conjunction with services from other disciplines. If your child may benefit from ongoing multidisciplinary support, please contact the referral site in your region (listed below) for more information, and to see whether a referral to a different program is required.

Services 

The services offered by the Community Health Speech-Language Program vary by region depending on the population and needs of the community served. Services may include (but are not limited to): 

• assessments
• general parent coaching
• parent education/capacity-building workshops
• consultations
• progress monitoring
• play-based intervention
• individual therapy 
• small group therapy
• home practice programs
• virtual services

Referrals

The Community Health Speech-Language Program has open referrals. This means that parents may refer their child directly. A referral from a community professional/partner is not required, though they are also accepted when submitted with parent permission.

Examples of community professionals/partners that may submit or help support a referral might include: physicians, nurse practitioners, public health nurses, audiologists, infant development consultants, supported child development workers, daycare/preschool providers, Aboriginal Infant Development Program staff, or anyone else that supports the child and family.

Referrals can be submitted by contacting the most appropriate region listed below. Referrals may be completed by phone or by sending a completed referral form by fax or regular mail.

SOUTH ISLAND: Serving the Greater Victoria Area and Southern Gulf Islands

Referral form
Victoria Health Unit
Speech-Language Services
1947 Cook Street
Victoria, BC  
V8T 3P8
250-388-2250

DUNCAN: Serving Duncan, Cobble Hill, Shawnigan Lake, Crofton, Lake Cowichan

Referral Form 
Clements Centre for Families
Sundrops Child Development
5856 Clements St
Duncan, BC  
V9L 3W3
250-388-2250

PARKSVILLE/OCEANSIDE: Serving Parksville, Qualicum, Bowser, Errington and Nanoose

Referral form
Parksville Family Place
Speech-Language Services
494 Bay Avenue, P.O. Box 339
Parksville, BC
V9P 2G5
250-947-8242

LADYSMITH/NANAIMO

Referral form
Nanaimo Health Unit
Speech-Language Services
1665 Grant Avenue
Nanaimo, BC
V9S 5K7
250-739-6827

PORT ALBERNI, TOFINO, UCLUELET: Call or send a completed referral form via fax or mail only

Port Alberni Health Unit
Speech-Language Services
202 - 4152 Redford St.
Port Alberni, BC
V9Y 3R5
250-731-1315

COMOX VALLEY: Serving Courtenay, Comox, Cumberland

Comox Valley Health Unit
Speech-Language Services
104 - 501 4th St.
Courtenay, BC
V9N 1H3
250-331-8526

MT. WADDINGTON: Serving Port Hardy, Port McNeill, Alert Bay, Sointula, Port Alice, Kingcome, Gilford, Kyuquot, Ehattesaht, Ocluje and Zeballos

Port Hardy Health Unit
Speech-Language Services
7070 Market Street
Port Hardy, BC
V0N 2P0
250-902-6071