Healthy Babies Healthy Children Referral Form (PDF)
Healthy Babies Healthy Children is a prevention/early intervention initiative designed to help families promote healthy child development and help their children reach their full potential.
Introduced in 1998 by the Ontario government, Healthy Babies Healthy Children is a province-wide program funded by the Ministry of Children and Youth Services.
Who is eligible
- Pregnant women
- Families or individuals with children under the age of 6
Program Components
1. Screening/Assessment
Families with children (prenatal to age 6) are screened for any risks to child development. Screening and assessment can occur
- prenatally
- in the postpartum period
- during early childhood
2. Prenatal Support Services
Public Health Nurses and Family Home Visitors can provide one-to-one home visits. The goal is to increase accessibility to prenatal health care, education, counseling and support, and to link to community resources.
3. Postpartum Support Services
Public Health Nurses provide telephone assessment, counseling and information on community resources to families with newborns, within 48 hrs of hospital discharge or home birth. Home visits are provided to consenting families to help make a healthy adjustment in the first few weeks of life. This service is for all new parents.
4. HBHC Home Visiting Program
Public Health Nurses and Family Home Visitors provide home visiting to families whose children have been identified to be at risk for poor development. This service supports families who would benefit from learning more about growth and development, positive parenting and community resources.
5. Service Coordination
Families in the HBHC home visiting program have a designated service coordinator to ensure they receive appropriate, integrated, needs-based services that build on their strengths.
6. Referrals/Linking
Families receiving HBHC home visiting services are referred to appropriate programs and services in the community. Families who do not meet the criteria for HBHC home visiting services can be referred to other community programs and services.
Possible Indicators for Referral
- An anticipated poor birth outcome
- Teen pregnancy
- Premature infant
- Multiple births
- Babies with physical challenge
- Failure to thrive
- Family stress
- Social, geographical or cultural isolation
- Lack of social support
- Low income
- Inadequate housing
- Needing support to access educational and /or employment opportunities
- Settlement and immigration issues
- Addictions
Outcomes of the HBHC Program
- Pregnant women receive prenatal support (eg. assistance completing school and accessing affordable housing, preparing for parenthood, nutrition counseling, etc.)
- New mothers receive education and support to encourage breastfeeding
- Families are provided with information and ongoing support in their homes to encourage skill development and confidence in parenting
- Children are screened for developmental milestones
- Families are linked to community resources such as Best Start Hubs, food banks, parenting classes, community kitchens, Pro Kids, etc.
Making a referral
Any professional or service provider can refer a family with the family’s consent. HBHC is a voluntary program. Once a family has been referred, the assessment process will determine the need for assistance, link the family with appropriate services and determine if home visiting by a Public Health Nurse and Family Home Visitor is required.
Click below to fill out the Healthy Babies Healthy Children referral form or for more information please call 807-625-8814 or toll free 1-888-294-6630.
Healthy Babies Healthy Children Referral Form (PDF)