Ontario Supporting Healthy Child Growth and Development in Durham Region
$11,700,000 investment will help support child and family wellbeing
DURHAM —The Ontario government is investing an additional $416,941 in the Durham Regional Health Unit’s Healthy Babies Healthy Children Program to better support children’s development and family wellbeing in the Region of Durham. The program connects vulnerable families to key prevention, early identification and intervention services.
“Intervening in the early years has a lifelong contribution to health and well-being. That’s what sets children up for a healthy beginning,” said MPP Coe and Parliamentary Assistant to the Premier. “The Healthy Babies Healthy Children program is 100 per cent provincially funded and aims to eliminate inequities in health and development for young children and babies in the Region of Durham.”
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.
“Investing $416,941 into early childhood development is a direct investment in Durham Region’s future.” said Peter Bethlenfalvy, MPP for Pickering-Uxbridge. “By ensuring that every child has access to the support they need, our government is laying the foundation for lifelong health and success for those in our community.”
“It is more important than ever that children and parents have access to the essential support they need during the formative years of childhood development,” said Todd McCarthy, MPP for Durham. “Through this investment, our government is reaffirming its commitment to providing Durham families with the vital resources they need to thrive.”
“A child’s early years are crucial for their development.” Patrice Barnes, MPP for Ajax, said, “Our government believes no parent should face obstacles in accessing care for their child. Early identification of health risks allows us to address issues before they become serious, helping children avoid developmental problems that could affect them for life. We’re committed to supporting children in Ajax and throughout Durham Region, ensuring they have the best chance to grow up healthy and reach their full potential.”
QUOTES
“Access to programs and services that support the diverse needs of expecting and new parents are critical to the healthy growth and development of babies and children, and the well-being of young parents and families. This increased funding from the province will enable the Region to continue to support vital early childhood development programs that children and families depend on.”
– John Henry, Regional Chair and Chief Executive Officer for The Regional Municipality of Durham
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.