Last Reviewed November 2010
A child’s early years – from before birth to age six – are very important. Healthy babies are more likely to develop into healthy children, and healthy children are more likely to grow up to be healthy teenagers and healthy adults.
That’s the purpose of Ontario’s Healthy Babies Healthy Children (HBHC) Program – to help children get a healthy start in life. The program helps families during pregnancy or who have children up to age six by:
- Screening and assessing to see if there are any concerns that could affect a child’s healthy development
- Providing health education
- Referring and linking families to community programs and resources that support parents and children such as; breastfeeding, nutrition and health services, parenting programs and family literacy programs
How Does the Program Work?
HBHC offers in-home support from Public Health Nurses and Family Visitors at no cost to families. Interpreters are available in many languages, including American Sign Language.
In the Region of Peel, the HBHC program partners with "Success by 6 Peel", a coalition of agencies and services dedicated to giving children 0-6 years the best possible start in life.
HBHC is a voluntary program and all information is treated confidentially. After a person consents or says ‘yes’ to receive service from HBHC, a Public Health Nurse will call to find out more information about the family.
Families who would like support are connected with services in the community. They may also be referred to the Home Visiting Program, which offers longer-term support from a Public Health Nurse and a Family Visitor.
What is the Home Visiting Program?
The Home Visiting Program provides teaching and support when you are pregnant, when your baby arrives, and as your child grows and develops. Public Health Nurses and Family Visitors answer your questions and connect you with community programs and resources. They can help you to be the best parent you can be.
If you are pregnant or a parent with children up to the age of 6, and have questions and need support, the Healthy Babies Healthy Children Home Visiting Program is there to help you:
- Develop and maintain a healthy prenatal lifestyle
- Learn how to develop a healthy parent-child relationship
- Support and encourage healthy child development
- Understand child behaviour and discipline
- Cope with babies that require special attention (colic, low birth-weight, birth defects)
- Connect to services in your community that will help you
- Manage stressful life events including anxiety, depression, limited financial resources, substance abuse (drug or alcohol)
The role of Public Health Nurses and Family Visitors
A Public Health Nurse (PHN) is a Registered Nurse who specializes in children's health and development. Your PHN can teach you about developing healthy habits during pregnancy, and how to manage the emotional and physical challenges you might face as a mother with a new baby. A PHN can also refer you to other health professionals.
A Family Visitor has experience and training in supporting parents with between 0 to 6 years of age. Your Family Visitor can share parenting ideas and show you games and activities that will help your children grow and develop. A Family Visitor can also teach you about community supports and how to provide a safe, secure and loving home environment for your children.
What information will the Public Health Nurse and/or Family Visitor provide?
When you are pregnant, you will learn about:
- Changes in your body
- Emotional changes
- How your baby grows
- Healthy eating and physical activity
- Labour and birth
- Breastfeeding
- Preparing to add a baby to your life and your family
When your baby arrives, you will receive information about:
- Healthy parent-child relationships
- Feeding your baby
- Playing with your baby
- Keeping your baby safe
- Staying physically and emotionally healthy
- Being a parent
- Resources in your community
As your child grows and develops you will learn about:
- Activities for young children
- Providing a safe, secure and loving home environment
- Parenting issues such as feeding, positive discipline, toilet learning and immunizations.
- Building your parenting support system
Your PHN/Family Visitor can also connect you to community services:
- Ontario Early Years Centres
- Settlement Services
- Childcare
- Child Development Services
- Child Protection Services
- Medical Services
- Financial Assistance
- Housing
- Education
For more information
To find out more about the Healthy Babies Healthy Children Program contact:
Region of Peel - Public Health
905-799-7700
Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
to speak with a Public Health Nurse
Caledon residents call free of charge at 905-584-2216
Revised:
Friday May 27 2011
www.peelregion.ca
