The Ontario government is increasing the annualized funding of the Healthy Babies Healthy Children (HBHC) program in Midwestern Ontario.
The Grey Bruce Health Unit will see funding increase by $122,067 to better support children's development and family wellbeing in Bruce, Grey, and Owen Sound, while the Huron Perth Public Health Unit will receive an increase of $101,281.
The program connects vulnerable families to key prevention, early identification, and intervention services.
“Our partnership with the Huron Perth Public Health Unit will generate supports in the spirit of healthy families and children,” said Lisa Thompson, MPP for Huron – Bruce. “Because of the importance of a healthy start for children, I encourage people to contact the public health unit for more information,” she added.
The Healthy Babies Healthy Children Program is free and delivered through local public health units. The program offers home visits to families at risk for challenges affecting healthy child development, starting from the prenatal stage through to the child’s transition to school. It also provides universal screening for families after the birth of their babies.
“Every child deserves to have a healthy start in life so that they can fully participate at home, in school and in their community,” said Michael Parsa, Minister of Children, Community and Social Services. “Our government is increasing funding in healthy child development programs to help ensure the lifelong wellbeing of mothers, children and families in Ontario.”
The funding announcement is part of the government's additional investment of more than $11.7 million in healthy child development programs across the province