Early Child Development Initiatives continue to have an impact

 

Early Child Development Initiatives were funded for a five-year period ending in 2006. The funding was provided to Ontario Health Units by the Early Years Branch of the Ministry of Children and Youth Services, to enhance existing programs. Projects were carried out in two areas: “Healthy Pregnancy and Child Development” and “Injury and Family Abuse Prevention.”

 

Community partners were involved in identifying local needs and priorities, and took part in many project activities. The activities that we will be able to sustain under the present public health mandate are outlined below.

 

·           Child Health Clinics were established to increase the early identification of health risks for children up to six years of age. The Clinics will continue to offer health information, immunizations, and consultations and screenings related to growth and development, dental health and speech.

 

·           Public Health Nurses were trained to support new mothers who are experiencing postpartum depression. Reference materials, posters and pamphlets were developed or purchased through the funding. Staff will continue to use these resources with prenatal and postpartum families.

 

·           Public Health Nurses and community partners were trained to provide Make the Connection workshops, which continue to be implemented in different parts of Renfrew County. Make the Connection teaches parents and caregivers how to establish healthy emotional connections with their babies and children.

 

·           Health Unit staff were trained to carry out Routine Universal Comprehensive Screening for Woman Abuse. We will continue to use this screening tool to identify women who are or have been a victim of abuse, in all areas where women are in contact with public health. Training to use the tool is part of the orientation for new staff at the Renfrew County and District Health Unit.

 

·           Resources about Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder were developed and will continue to be distributed to families planning pregnancies.

 

·           Some high-risk families received safety devices for their homes (e.g. baby gates, drawer locks, plugs for electric receptacles) during the funding period. Education to families related to home safety will continue through the Healthy Babies Healthy Children program.