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Services

Healthy Babies Healthy Children Program

WHAT IS THE HEALTHY BABIES HEALTHY CHILDREN PROGRAM?

The Healthy Babies Healthy Children (HBHC) program provides free home visiting services to help young children get a healthy start in life. It is a voluntary program for families who may benefit from additional support during pregnancy or any time up until children begin school. A Public Health Nurse and a Family Home Visitor work together with families to build on their strengths, and work to support their child(ren)’s healthy growth and development. The HBHC program supports families with healthy pregnancy, adjusting to postpartum changes and to parenthood, taking care of yourself as a parent, building strong connections with your child, breastfeeding and nutrition, safety, and accessing available community resources.

Visit the Parents and Parents to Be Section of our Website for More Information

IS THE HBHC PROGRAM RIGHT FOR MY FAMILY?

The HBHC Program may be for you if you are pregnant, have an infant or a pre-school child, and

  • have concerns about your child’s growth and development and need support with how you help your child reach their milestones
  • would like support with building and maintaining a strong bond and connection with your child
  • are interested in support with adjusting to postpartum changes and parenthood
  • need support with understanding your new baby and how to respond to them
  • would like support meeting your parenting goals
  • have other needs that make pregnancy and parenting challenging like housing, finances, your own health, being new to Canada

HOW DO I GET CONNECTED TO THE HBHC PROGRAM? 

If you think the HBHC program is right for you and your family, the next step is to be referred. We accept:

Self-Referrals

  • Call HBHC at (705) 721-7520 ext. 6850 OR complete and submit this form (coming soon) and identify that you would like to be part of the HBHC program. An HBHC Public Health Nurse will call you back to discuss your needs and determine your eligibility for the program.

Referrals from Health Care or Social Service Providers

  • Ask your health care provider or social service provider to refer you to the HBHC program any time during your pregnancy, when you are in the hospital before or after having your baby, or any time up until your child starts school.

Once HBHC receives your referral, an HBHC Public Health Nurse will call you to discuss your needs and determine your eligibility for the program.

Health Care and Social Service Providers can refer families to the HBHC Program with client consent.

To refer your client, you can:

  • Fully complete the HBHC Screen and send it to HBHC by Fax: 705-734-9265.
  • Call HBHC at (705) 721-7520 ext. 6850 and leave a message with your client’s contact information and reason for the referral.
  • Complete the Online HBHC Referral Form (coming soon).

Please Note: Referral to the Program does not guarantee Home Visiting Service for Clients.

Eligibility for the Home Visiting Program is based on assessments completed by a Public Health Nurse at the time of referral.
The Indigenous Healthy Babies Healthy Children program is also available to help Indigenous children start a healthy life in ways that honour and respect Indigenous culture and beliefs. The Indigenous HBHC program is offered in communities across Ontario, and is delivered through a variety of Indigenous service providers:

Indigenous (First Nations, Metis or Inuit) clients may contact the organization of their choosing.

Simcoe County Indigenous HBHC Programs

  • Beausoleil First Nation: Beausoleil First Nation (chimnissing.ca).
  • Barrie Native Friendship Centre: Barrie Native Friendship Centre – RESPECT | HUMILITY | LOVE | WISDOM | COURAGE | HONESTY | TRUTH (barrienfc.ca)
  • Metis Nation of Ontario- Midland area: Home - Métis Nation of Ontario (metisnation.org).
  • Rama First Nation- CHN - Health — Chippewas of Rama First Nation

Muskoka District Indigenous HBHC Programs

  • Indigenous Healthy Babies Healthy Children

Laura Hansman, RN, BScN Community Health Nurse, Parry Sound Health Centre
First Nations and Inuit Health Branch, Indigenous Services Canada. 
705-746-5807 
[email protected] 
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