Wendy Lara

The Child Development Institute was founded in 1995 to meet the need for early child development and intervention services for young children in the San Fernando Valley. At the time, early intervention services were difficult to access, and they were often provided by several different providers. Services paid little attention to a child’s overall support system, such as their family, caregivers and teachers. Assistance did not incorporate the child and family’s emotional wellbeing and was primarily focused on deficits. CDI professionals began training in Stanley Greenspan’s DIR/Floortime model which integrates child development with mental health to support a holistic approach to the successful developmental growth of the whole child. CDI thoughtfully designed and implemented a relationship-based intervention program incorporating professionals from various fields of expertise to provide meaningful and effective services to children and their families. Click here for more information regarding some of the research backing CDI’s approach. Our Vision CDI’s vision is that ALL children thrive in the care of families and communities where their needs are respected and provided for in developmentally appropriate environments. With this future in mind, CDI continues as a leader in developing models of support, service and training to ensure that families, professionals and community members have the resources necessary to provide developmentally responsive care. We envision a more interconnected community based on mutual respect and shared responsibility. We are building an intentional network of community partners that can address the needs of young children and their families. The sustainability of our model depends on partnerships. The health and wellbeing of children and families determines the health and wellbeing of the community. CDI remains dedicated to the future of early child development with special attention to supporting the most vulnerable children.