News

Over $74,000 to Support Healthy Child Growth and Development

NORTH BAY – Vic Fedeli, MPP for Nipissing announced that the Ontario government is investing an additional $74,500 in the Healthy Babies Healthy Children Program delivered through the North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit to better support children’s development and family wellbeing in Nipissing/Parry Sound. The program connects vulnerable families to key prevention, early identification and intervention services.

“Family wellbeing is key to building strong and vibrant communities in the Nipissing/Parry Sound region,” said MPP Vic Fedeli. “By investing in healthy child development services, we are helping ensure that vulnerable families are connected to the services that support better outcomes for both maternal health and the healthy growth and development of children.”

“In partnership with the North Bay Parry Sound Health Unit, our government is working to enhance access to healthcare services for families within our communities. It is critical we support our future generations by uplifting and supporting maternal and childhood health and wellbeing. I am grateful our government is making these investments into our area.” – MPP Graydon Smith, Parry Sound-Muskoka.

“It’s encouraging to see the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services recognizing the importance of the Healthy Babies Healthy Children program through this boost in funding. This re-investment is a testament to the program’s effectiveness and its vital role in supporting vulnerable families during the critical early years of childhood development.” – Dr. Carol Zimbalatti, Medical Officer of Health, NBPSPHU.

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.

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.

QUICK FACTS

• Ontario invests more than $90 million annually in the Healthy Babies Healthy Children Program.
• Nearly 30 per cent of children in Ontario have at least one developmental vulnerability at school entry that could pose a risk to their lifelong health, learning and behaviour.
• In 2022-23, over 93,000 newborns and their families were screened for risks that could compromise their healthy development, and almost 7,000 families received home visiting intervention from nurses and/or lay home visitors.
• The Infant Child Development Program provides home-based early intervention services from birth to school entry for families of children with a developmental disability and/or risk for developmental delay. The program is often the first program accessed by families with children with special needs.
• Young Parent Services programs offer a range of community-based services for pregnant and parenting youth to optimize healthy growth, development and wellbeing for young parents and their children and support them to realize their potential.