Ontario Supporting Healthy Child Growth and Development in Eastern Ontario
$95,727 investment will help support child and family wellbeing
Hawkesbury —The Ontario government is investing an additional $95,727 to Eastern Ontario Health Unit in the Healthy Babies Healthy Children Program to better support children’s development and family wellbeing to Eastern Ontario. The program connects vulnerable families to key prevention, early identification and intervention services.
“Family wellbeing is key to building strong and vibrant communities in Eastern Ontario,” said local MPP Stéphane Sarrazin. “By investing in healthy child development services, we are helping ensure that vulnerable families are connected to the services that support better outcomes for maternal health and healthy growth and development of children.”
The Healthy Babies Healthy Children Program is free and delivered through local public health units. The program offers home visits to families at risk for challenges affecting healthy child development, starting from the prenatal stage through to the child’s transition to school. It also provides universal screening for families after the birth of their babies.
“Every child deserves to have a healthy start in life so that they can fully participate at home, in school and in their community,” said Michael Parsa, Minister of Children, Community and Social Services. “Our government is increasing funding in healthy child development programs to help ensure the lifelong wellbeing of mothers, children and families in Ontario.”
Today’s funding announcement is part of the government’s additional investment of more than $11.7 million in healthy child development programs across the province, which includes increases of approximately:
- $8.6 million for the Healthy Babies Healthy Children program,
- $1.4 million for the Infant Child Development Program, and
- $1.8 million for the Young Parent Services programs.
This funding will help provide services to support early intervention and optimize healthy growth, development and wellbeing for children, young parents and families.