I know of a parent or pregnant woman who could use support

Ontario’s Healthy Babies Healthy Children (HBHC) program helps children get a healthy start in life. The program helps families during pregnancy and after the baby is born up until transition to school. We provide free home visits by Public Health Nurses and Family Home Visitors to families who need more support.

This is a voluntary program, so the person being referred must be aware of and agreeable to the referral.

Referrals are accepted from:

• Families and pregnant women who want to participate in HBHC
• Health Care Providers
• Social Service Workers

Who can participate in HBHC?

• Pregnant women
• Families with new babies
• Families with children who are not in school full-time

Who should participate in HBHC?

Any person or parent who has challenges with:

• Adjusting to being pregnant or having a new baby
• Bonding with their challenging baby or toddler
• Coping with stressful life events
• Being alone and needs help to find supportive community services
• Helping their baby with growth and development
• Day-to-day parenting
• Building strong, loving relationships.

How does the program work?

• The program is free
• 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
• The Public Health Nurse will connect them with appropriate services and may also refer them to the Home Visiting Program, which offers longer-term support from a Public Health Nurse and a Family Home Visitor.
• HBHC is voluntary for parents. Families may choose to leave the program
  at any time.

Call the Porcupine Health Unit at 705-267-1181 and ask to speak with a Healthy Babies Healthy Children nurse to learn more about or to refer someone to the Healthy Babies Healthy Children Program.