About Us
About Us
The Child Development and Guidance Centre (CDGC) is a non-profit, non-governmental organization that operates the national screening, referral, and early intervention system in St. Lucia. This system functions in partnership with the Ministry of Health and Wellness, the Ministry of Education, and the Ministry of Equity.
The CDGC continues to function as the only multidisciplinary developmental assessment centre on the island of St. Lucia. Our team is made up of a Paediatrician, Child Psychiatrist, Physiotherapist, Occupational Therapist, volunteer Speech and Language Therapists, and Intervention Assistants.
At the CDGC, children from birth to the age of 5 years (or who are not yet in kindergarten) receive all the necessary support in order for them to achieve their full potential and become contributing members of society.
Over the years, the CDGC has been able to assess, diagnose, an provide therapeutic intervention to thousands of children island-wide.
A lot had been achieved for the health of all children in St. Lucia over the 20 years since independence – such as improved pre-natal care, good immunisation rates and reduction of malnutrition – however, it was only in the 90’s that comprehensive developmental screening of children at 6 weeks, 8 months, 3 and 5 years was instituted in the Health Centres.
However, for children who were identified through this screening process, there were limited intervention services available and no paediatric therapists (e.g., speech and language therapists, paediatric physiotherapists or occupational therapists) available on the island.
The need for further assessment and for the development and implementation of individualized intervention and treatment was the rationale for the initiative in 1997 to start the Child Development and Guidance Centre (CDGC) in St. Lucia.
With some local and international support a CDGC team was realised with Dr Brigitte Schüling at the helm, and between 1998 and 2002 they organised an annual three-week summer camp for children with additional needs.
Under the theme “Moving Towards an Independent Future” children with multiple disabilities received assessment and individual therapy, while their caregiver was present, to learn how to continue the therapy and integrate it into their daily routine at home.
Experienced volunteer physiotherapists, speech and language therapists and occupational therapists came from the UK, USA and Germany to provide their services.
In 2001, the Child Development and Guidance Centre (CDGC) became a registered non-profit organisation in St. Lucia.
This formal registration marked an important step in the Centre’s evolution — transforming a developing initiative into a recognised legal entity. Becoming a non-profit organisation strengthened its credibility, accountability and ability to build partnerships, secure support and expand services for children and families across the island.
It was a defining moment that solidified the Centre’s long-term commitment to improving child development services in St. Lucia.
In 2002, the CDGC was adopted by SLADD, the St. Lucia Association for Persons with Developmental Disabilities, of which the Dunnottar School for children with learning disabilities is also a part.
The CDGC was initially housed within the school, allowing it to benefit from SLADD’s established network while continuing to develop its services for children with developmental needs.
In March 2005, a new freestanding home for the CDGC officially opened. The building included an office for the paediatrician and one for the physiotherapist, providing dedicated spaces for assessment and therapy.
This milestone was made possible through joint funding from local businesses and Villa Kunterbunt, the German foundation supporting the CDGC, and marked a major step toward independent operation and expanded services for children and families.
In 2007, Dr. Brigitte Schüling returned to Germany after working tirelessly on the CDGC project for 12 years.
Her dedication had laid the foundations for child development services in St. Lucia, establishing programs, partnerships, and a team that would carry the mission forward.
In 2009, Dr. Kim Gardner assumed the role of director at CDGC.
Under their leadership, the Centre continued to grow, building on the strong foundations set by Dr. Schüling while introducing new initiatives to enhance services for children and families.
Current Projects
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Support Services
These consist of a number of Socio-Economic programs providing public assistance
BNTF
The Basic Needs Trust Fund (BNTF) was established under regional Caribbean development
HOPE
Holistic opportunities for personal empowerment (HOPE), is the most recent initiative.