It’s a program built around each family’s unique strengths, goals and needs.
Renfrew County and District Health Unit has launched the Nurse-Family Partnership Program to connect moms and dads with a specially-trained public health nurse, from pregnancy, into the first two years of their child’s life.
The health unit said in a media release that the program will support first-time parents and their children and offers extra support for parents experiencing financial challenges and limited resources.
The program will include regular home visits from specialized nurses offering personalized information, encouragement and practical support. Nurses can help prepare for the baby’s arrival, build confidence, and teach ways to help their child grow, learn and thrive.
It’s available to residents of Renfrew County and district, who are 28 weeks pregnant or less.
The new program supplements programs including home-visiting services such as Healthy Babies Healthy Children.
Program organizers say it can improve children’s health and development while support parents’ well-being.
According to Stats Canada, the postpartum period can be a time of rapid physical, emotional and social adjustment.
StatsCan says timely access to health care, whether for physical recovery, infant feeding support or mental health, promotes the health and well-being of both the birthing parent and the newborn during a period of substantial transition.
Having a regular health care provider is an important aspect of care, especially during the postpartum period.
According to the data collected by Stats Canada, the most common reasons for unmet health care needs were long wait times, according to 54 per cent of respondents. Another 33 per cent said that they did not know how to access care or that the care available was not helpful.
More than 20 per cent of parents said that they had trouble managing to find time to find help.
You can learn more about the program at the RCDHU webpage or via email: familyhealth@rcdhu.com, or by calling 613-735-9774/toll-free 1-800-267-1097 ext. 589.
