Community-based supports for parents

Alberta

• Alberta children and families receive services from Child and Family Services Authorities and Delegated First Nation Agencies
• Community Action Program for Children (Public Health Agency of Canada) funds projects supporting First Nations/Métis/Inuit and other marginalized families in urban and rural/remote communities across the province.
• Family and Community Support Services Association of Alberta
• Parent Link Centres: Regional information and support centres for parents and caregivers learning about child development and health.

British Columbia

• Community Action Program for Children (Public Health Agency of Canada) supports projects supporting First Nations/Métis/Inuit and other marginalized families in urban and rural/remote communities in B.C.
• Directory of B.C family resource programs: Parent/child interactive centres for families with children aged birth to 6 years
• Parenting programs, BC Council for Families
• StrongStart BC: Early learning programs that provide play-based early learning services for adults and their young children, aged birth to age 5, at no cost to families.

Manitoba

• The Community Action Program for Children (Public Health Agency of Canada) supports projects for First Nations/Métis/Inuit and other marginalized families in urban and rural/remote communities in Manitoba.
• Families First offers home visiting supports to families with children, from pregnancy to school entry. Delivered across the province by public health, helps families find appropriate community resources.
• Healthy Baby Community Support Programs: For pregnant women and new parents, offering parenting support, information about infant development and healthy nutrition, healthy lifestyle options and the opportunity to connect with other parents. Programs in Winnipeg and across the province.

New Brunswick

• Community Action Program for Children (Public Health Agency of Canada) funds projects supporting families/early intervention in both urban and rural/remote communities.
• Family Resource Centres of New Brunswick offer programs and activities for parents and their children from birth to 6 years old, at nearly 100 sites province-wide.
• New Brunswick Early Learning Centres: Searchable directory

Newfoundland and Labrador

• Community Action Program for Children (Public Health Agency of Canada) funds projects for families and young children throughout the province.
• Department of Children, Seniors, and Social Development supports:
  • BABIES (Before Birth and Beyond: Information, Education and Support), a prenatal   education and support program for pregnancy, birth and early parenting.
  • Healthy Beginnings (universal postnatal follow-up program), offered by public health nurses
  • Child Health Clinic program.
  • Preschool Health Check program.
• Family Resource Centres (including Healthy Baby Clubs) provide a variety of community-based activities and resources for children and families that emphasize early childhood development and parenting support.
• Labrador Friendship Centre’s Aboriginal Family Centre promotes social, cultural, educational, physical, emotional, and nutritional growth with Métis, Innu and Inuit children (from infancy to 6 years), their parents, and caregivers in Happy Valley-Goose Bay.
• Perinatal Program Newfoundland Labrador provides a follow-up clinic to infants at high risk for developmental delay.

Northwest Territories

• Centre for Northern Families (Yellowknife Women’s Society) runs Health Baby/Toddlers Clubs and other programs supporting the health, social, cultural and economic well-being of marginalized women and families.
• Community Action Program for Children (Public Health Agency of Canada) runs five early intervention/family support projects in the Northwest Territories.
• Right from the Start: Programs for parents and young children delivered through the Government of the Northwest Territories
• Northwest Territories Aboriginal Head Start Program
• Yellowknife Playgroup Association provides Moms and Tots programs and a healthy environment for parents and pre-schoolers to connect with others in the community.

Nova Scotia

• Community Action Program for Children (Public Health Agency of Canada) funds projects in Nova Scotia through permanent family resource centres and outreach sites throughout the province.
• Early Years Centres: Play-based early learning program for preschool children, family supports and resources, and child care
• Nova Scotia Early Childhood Development Intervention Services: For families of young children between birth and school entry with developmental delay

Nunavut

• Community Action Program for Children (Public Health Agency of Canada) runs six early intervention/family support projects in Nunavut
• Nunavut’s Department of Education (Early Childhood Division) supports early childhood programs and services from birth to age six and the Healthy Child Initiative.
• Nunavut well-baby guidelines/resources

Ontario

• Community Action Program for Children (Public Health Agency of Canada) runs early intervention/family support projects in Ontario. 
• EarlyON Child and Family Centres offer services and programs for parents of children up to the age of six, including prenatal guidance, early literacy, positive parenting skills and information about other community programs.
• The Ontario Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services, administers Best Start: Ontario’s Maternal Newborn and Early Child Development Resource Centre.
• Ottawa’s 18-month well-baby visit pathway: Provides contact information for a range of local referral resources, from community parenting programs to speech and language services.
• Toronto Early Childhood and Family Resource System: Lists contacts and agencies to help improve coordination between practitioners, parents and community services, especially with regard to developmental screening at the 18-month visit.

Prince Edward Island

• Community Action Program for Children (Public Health Agency of Canada) runs early intervention/family support projects on PEI, each offering services through several outreach sites to better serve rural communities.
• Family Resource Centres offer programs for children and families including parent education and support groups, parent resources, prenatal nutrition programs, drop-in play, toy-lending libraries, and outreach.
• Health PEI Centres
• Mi’kmaw Child and Family Resource Services

Quebec

• Carrefour action municipale et famille
• Community Action Program for Children (Public Health Agency of Canada) helps to fund early intervention/family support projects province-wide.
• Fédération québécoise des organismes communautaires Famille
• Quebec’s Ministère de la Famille et de l’Enfance regulates Centres de la petite enfance (CPEs) including:
  • More than 1,000 centre-based facilities for children aged 0-4,
  • More than 15,000 licensed family child care homes for children ages 0-12, and
  • Full-day kindergarten programs.

Saskatchewan

• Community Action Program for Children (Public Health Agency of Canada, Manitoba/Saskatchewan) supports projects serving First Nations/Métis/Inuit and other marginalized families in urban and rural/remote communities in Saskatchewan.
• Healthy Parenting: By the Saskatchewan Prevention Institute, a home study program for expectant parents, caregivers, and parents of children from infancy to age five.
• KidsFirst: A voluntary program that helps families in vulnerable situations enhance parenting knowledge and builds on strengths.
• Saskatchewan Urban Aboriginal Head-Start

Yukon

• Child Development Centre Yukon has branches in Whitehorse, Dawson City, Watson Lake and Dusk’a Early Headstart and Family Learning Centre in Kwanlin Dun.
• Community Action Program for Children (Public Health Agency of Canada) runs early intervention/family support projects in the Territory.
• Partners for Children provides workshops, training and support to parents, caregivers and professionals on the health and development of children aged prenatal to six years old, their families and communities.