Welcoming the Infant and Child Development Program to KW Habilitation
We are excited to share that KW Habilitation will be welcoming the Infant and Child Development Program to our organization this summer, expanding the supports we offer to children and families in our community.
The Infant and Child Development Program (ICDP) is a home-based, family-centered program that serves children from birth to school entry who have an established developmental delay or are identified as at risk of delay. Families receive personalized support based on their child’s unique needs, helping children learn and grow within the comfort of their homes.
Following a thoughtful review process, the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services (MCCSS) and the Region of Waterloo made the decision to transition this long-standing program from the Region’s Child, Family and Dental Health Division to a community agency. We are honoured that KW Habilitation was selected to lead this important program, building on our strong history of supporting children and families across Waterloo Region.
The Infant and Child Development Program will officially transition to KW Habilitation on August 1, 2025, under the leadership of our Early Learning, Child Care, and Family Resources department (being renamed to Early Learning and Child Development!).
We recognize the significance of this transition for families, staff, and the broader community. We are committed to ensuring a smooth, thoughtful integration that maintains the high quality of services families have come to expect.
A Natural Fit with Our Early Learning Supports
KW Habilitation’s Early Learning, Child Care, and Family Resources program has a rich history of working in partnership with families to help children reach their full potential.
Since its launch in 2014, our Early Learning program has grown from offering a few targeted supports to becoming a comprehensive resource for families across Waterloo Region who have children attending Licensed Child Care. Over the past decade, we have supported thousands of children and families, adapting to the evolving needs of the community while ensuring that inclusion and belonging remain at the heart of everything we do.
Welcoming the Infant and Child Development Program aligns seamlessly with our mission of inclusion, belonging, and personalized support, expanding the reach of our services while ensuring families continue to receive compassionate, evidence-based, expert support.
You can learn more about our current Early Learning supports here and see how our program has evolved over the years here.
What’s Next?
We are working closely with the Region of Waterloo to plan the transition, and we will share more details with families and the community as our planning progresses.
If you have any questions, please reach out to:
- Kristy Heimpel, Manager
- John Martin, Director of Early Learning, Child Care and Family Resources
Thank you for your continued support as we prepare to welcome the Infant and Child Development Program to KW Habilitation. Together, we are building a community where everyone belongs and participates.
