The vision for the Supporting Young Parents and Families program is to provide support to young parents (between the ages of 15 and 29) navigate pregnancy, birth, and post partum. Our goal for the program is to increase knowledge, reduce risks and strengthen young families in the mid-Island region.
The program will:
- Provide parents with access to counselling support;
- Provide supportive environment for parents to connect with other parents;
- Provide supportive environment for parents to connect to support agencies;
- Provide diapers, formula, baby clothes, cribs, and other baby necessities tor parents at two different locations;
- Bring in guest speakers such as Public Health Nurses, Dietitians, Doulas, Post-Partum Counsellors;
- Hold weekly meetings with parents and babies either in group setting or in a one-on-one setting;
- Outdoor social-distancing gatherings and indoor meetings upon COVID restrictions lifting;
- Offer a social atmosphere for parents and for children – knowing you aren’t alone;
- Offer assistance in filling out child tax benefit forms, applying for birth certificate, child care subsidies – ability to use NYSA computers to access online support;
- Hold workshops focusing on life skills, independence;
- Provide onsite parenting support, information and referrals.
Topics planned for the program include:
- Emergency contacts
-someone to talk to if they need support or a break and questions - Food support
- Child tax benefit
- Childcare benefit
- Things to do before baby arrives
- Diapers and rashes
- Hospital
- Support after baby
- Formula
- Shaken baby syndrome & SIDS
- Breastfeeding
- Baby supplies
- Support systems
- Shots and vaccines
- Jaundice
- Premade meals for when home from the hospital
- Daycare
- Prenatal vitamins & vitamin D drops
- Hospital- what to expect
- Savings
- Education Savings Plan
- Godparents
- Someone to be there at the hospital with you
- Post-Partum Depression
- Breathing – clenched jaws make it difficult. Need to relax the body for pushing
- COVID and Birth
- Diaper Changes
- Safe Play Time
- Prenatal genetic screening
Contact the Bastion Street office for more information or send us a message via the Contact form on this website.