From queries ranging from prenatal care to breastfeeding, answers and support for young mothers-to-be are accessible through a program now being offered by health units covering Peterborough, Northumberland and Haliburton counties, and the City of Kawartha Lakes.
The Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit (HKPRDHU) and Peterborough Public Health (PPH) are offering a pregnancy support program called the Nurse-Family Partnership (NFP). NFP is a free, home visiting program through which public health nurses visit young, first-time parents during their pregnancy and for the first two years of their child’s life.
Those who are 24 years old or younger and expecting their first baby can access supports that include guidance about pregnancy care, parenting, nutrition, and more.
Dr. Thomas Piggott, PPH’s CEO and medical officer of health, highlighted the need for these supports and services during the launch of the NFP program in the fall of 2023.
“We know the need is here,” Piggott said. “Income and equality, housing, and affordability — all of these massive issues that we know and often talk about as the social determinants of health are increasingly challenged in this region and in our province and country.
“But the NFP program is really a critical opportunity to provide supports for healthy growth and development that starts, we think, with these babies and these families, and these new families, but has a life-long impact.”
He said the program in the regions covered will have a combined reach of well over 250 babies and families per year.
Reese Merlin, public health nurse with NFP, said the reception has been strong since the program’s launch.
“We’re up and running, taking referrals, and many of us have clients at this point,” Merlin said. “We have gotten great feedback. The clients that we do have on our caseload absolutely love the program.”
Merlin is most excited about the access the program provides around prenatal education, particularly for those who are pregnant and living in rural areas, as well as the opportunity to visit people in their own homes and connect them with resources to help them through the transition to parenthood.
NFP can help with the following:
- Having a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby
- Developing parenting skills
- Building a strong network of support for mom and baby
- Establishing life goals
- Creating a safe and nurturing environment for mom and baby
- Building life skills such as budgeting, managing stress, and preparing healthy meals.
Community members are eligible to enrol if they are under 24 years old, pregnant with their first child and/or are first-time parenting, are pregnant 28 weeks or less, and are experiencing financial hardship or limited resources, and live in Northumberland County, City of Kawartha Lakes, or Haliburton County.
Those interested can register by calling 1-866-888-4577 ext. 5003 and leaving their name and contact information.
The NFP’s broader goals are to improve pregnancy outcomes, improve childhood development, and improve parents’ economic self-sufficiency. Visit nursefamilypartnership.ca to learn more about the overall program.
