The Healthy Babies Healthy Children Program is sponsored by the Ministry of Children and Youth Services and supported by numerous community partners/agencies.

The purpose is a prevention/early intervention initiative designed to ensure that vulnerable children do not "fall through the cracks."

This early warning system, combined with an integrated system of effective services, will help meet the needs of at risk children and their families, and encourage healthy child development.

Components of the Healthy Babies Healthy Children Program

• Screening prenatally and at birth to identify those at risk who may require further assessment
• Phoning all parents of newborns within 48 hours of discharge from hospital to ensure a continuum of care from hospital to home
• Postpartum home visiting by a Public Health Nurse
• Linking those identified at risk of physical, cognitive, communication and/or psychosocial problems to appropriate supports and services in the community
• Ensuring families have access to the home visiting service of a Public health Nurse and Resource Mom when appropriate
• Service co-ordination from the most appropriate agency for all high risk families