There are a number of provincial programs and initiatives that promote healthy pregnancy, infancy, and birth, improve parenting and family supports and strengthen early childhood development.
Parent and Child Health Programs include a variety of programs designed to offer and support seamless service for childbearing families and families with young children, from the prenatal period to the school-aged child. These are offered to all families, through regional community health services. Families are referred to these programs either by health care providers or by themselves and services are provided primarily by public/community health nurses.
Specific program areas include:
Parent and Child Health Programs also include other services such as:
These initiatives are designed to provide prenatal, postnatal and parenting education and support to women and their families. Healthy Beginnings was developed to assist public health nurses to identify families and their children who require specific follow-up in the time after birth. The goal of the program is to promote optimal physical, cognitive, communicative and psychological development in all children. Included in this program is a plan for screening and follow-up of priority families. Information about a variety of topics such as parenting, safety, nutrition and growth and development is made available to parents as needed. Child Health Clinics and Preschool Health Checks also provide screening for physical growth, vision, hearing, speech/language development, behaviour, oral health and nutrition as well as information and guidance for parents Referrals can also be made for other services where indicated. Each program provides a standardized, yet flexible, approach based on best practice in meeting the health needs of parents and young children.
Other Prenatal and Postnatal Services and Benefits: