Southwestern Public Health accepting referrals to support eligible parents

Southwestern Public Health, in partnership with the Healthy Babies Healthy Children program, is launching the free Nurse-Family Partnership this fall to support eligible individuals experiencing financial or social hardships who are pregnant with their first child or preparing to become first-time parents.

Enrolled clients will be paired with a Public Health Nurse until their child reaches two years of age. This service aims to promote healthy practices during pregnancy, develop safe and nurturing parenting skills, provide guidance on accessing community resources, and teach essential life skills such as budgeting and stress management.

“Our goal is to empower young parents by providing them with the knowledge and resources they need to give their child a healthy start in life,” says Kayla Rooke, Public Health Nurse at Southwestern Public Health.

To be eligible, individuals must be 24 years of age or younger, pregnant with their first child, 28 weeks pregnant or less, experiencing social or financial hardship, and residing in Elgin County, Oxford County, or the City of St. Thomas.

The Nurse-Family Partnership is an evidence-based home-visiting program designed to enhance the health, well-being, and self-sufficiency of first-time parents and their babies. Originating in the United States over 40 years ago, the Nurse-Family Partnership has expanded globally and is currently implemented in eight countries, including Canada, where it operates in Ontario, Nova Scotia, and British Columbia.

For more information or to begin the enrolment process, please visit our website or contact us at 1-800-922-0096.