© Windsor-Essex County Health Unit, May 2009.

1. © Windsor-Essex County Health Unit, May 2009.

2. 1998 January 1998 – Start of the Healthy Babies Healthy Children Program Purpose: To serve families with children birth to two years, who are at risk for poor health and development. Original logo of Windsor-Essex Healthy Babies Healthy Children program

3. Program goals: To promote Optimal growth for families. The best possible outcomes for children birth to two years. The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit hired four Public Health Nurses and contracted with Infant and Family Services for six part-time Family Home Visitors (FHV) to provide home visiting services. Original artwork from Windsor-Essex Healthy Babies Healthy Children program

4. 1999 – Program Expansion In March, the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care (MOHLTC) announced additional funding for the program. This included: - A phone contact by a PHN within 48 hours of hospital discharge after the birth of a new baby. Public Health Nurses assisting a client on the phone.

5. - A home visit by a PHN to all moms with a new baby, within six weeks after birth. - Home visiting for families with children 0-6 years who were at risk for poor health and development. - The Windsor Essex-County Health Unit hired nine additional PHNs. Photo from original Healthy Babies Healthy Children pamphlet.

6. The Government of Ontario 2000 • The MOHLTC began a province-wide evaluation. This included information from service providers and families across Ontario, including Windsor-Essex.

7. The Ministry expanded the program to enable families to enter the program either in the prenatal period, or from six week postpartum to six years (Early Identification). Bus bench ads used to promote the program.

8. 2001 Nine Family Home Visitors moved from Children First (formerly Infant and Family) to the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit (WECHU). Family Home Visitors

9. 2002 Ministry provided additional funding. Focus of service: Pregnant women. Postpartum families (birth to six weeks). Families with children up to six years. Photo used in promotional brochure

10. Key Components: Prenatal education and support. Postpartum phone call within 48 hours of hospital discharge and a follow-up home visit by a PHN to all moms with a new baby. Early identification for children (6 weeks to 6 years) at risk for poor health and development. Ongoing education and support. Touching the lives of families for 10 years and growing.

11. HBHC began weekend work so nurses could reach moms by phone within 48 hours of hospital discharge. Photo used in billboard campaign.

12. 2003 HBHC program purchased baby scales so nurses could weigh infants to better assess the child’s growth and development. A Public Health Nurse weighing an infant.

13. 2004 HBHC received National Child Benefit (NCB) funding to provide Chickenpox vaccine to children 1-6 years of age. These children had not previously received the vaccine and their parents received Ontario Works benefits. Child development screening was also carried out at these clinics. Child geting to have Chickenpox vaccine.

14. The program implemented a pilot project and hired a low-German speaking FHV to address the needs of the low-German speaking Mennonite population in the Leamington area. The program already had an Arabic-speaking FHV. Bilingual FHVs are able to teach about Canadian culture and expectations while being sensitive to various cultural practices. Low-German speaking Mennonite family from Leamington.

15. 2005 Started the Physician Outreach Project (POP), to work with physicians (family physicians, obstetricians, and pediatricians) to increase the number of prenatal and18-month developmental screens, with referral and follow-up as necessary. Karen Simon (middle) with a student nurse (left) and Dr. (right).

16. Windsor-Essex HBHC became one of nine health units to participate in a research study by the University of Toronto Faculty of Nursing, which looked at the effectiveness of peer support in the prevention of postpartum mood disorder (PPMD). Postpartum Mood Disorder Prevention

17. 2006 Continued outreach with community agencies such as local hospitals, Children First, and Windsor-Essex Children’s Aid Society. In June, Windsor-Essex hosted the annual Southwest Ontario HBHC Family Home Visitor Sharing Day. Family Home Visitors from across neighbouring health units attended. Family Home Visitor Sharing Day

18. 2007 Expansion of the Physician Outreach Project (POP) to include additional family physicians, obstetricians, midwives, pediatricians, and family doctors. Physician Outreach Project included additional family physicians.

19. Ministry of Children and Youth Services (MCYS) released the results of the 5-year follow-up evaluation study. HBHC had a positive impact on children’s development. HBHC strengthened the child’s readiness for school. HBHC encouraged parents to seek additional schooling opportunities. HBHC program has helped many families in our community.

20. 2008 • In February, Windsor HBHC hosted the training session: Home Visiting for Professionals Working with High Risk Families. This was through Invest in Kids and was offered to public health nurses from the Windsor-Essex County, Sarnia -Lambton, Huron, and Grey-Bruce Health Units. • In May, Windsor HBHC celebrated 10 years of service to the Windsor-Essex community. Over 120 families and community partners attended the event. Healthy Babies Healthy Children Staff

21. In the fall, Windsor-Essex hosted Invest in Kids Master Training, which certified nurses to train staff on strategies and ways to work effectively with high risk families. • Three nurses from Windsor- Essex HBHC became certified.

22. 2009 • Provides telephone support to new moms who are at risk for postpartum mood disorder (PPMD). • Support is given by a volunteer – a mom who has experienced and recovered from a postpartum mood disorder herself and is trained by HBHC staff to provide support. • Based on research by Dr. Cindy-Lee Dennis (see HBHC slide: 2005). Her research showed that when telephone peer support was offered early, one could prevent the development of a postpartum mood disorder.

23. Spring 2009, information sessions were held to recruit volunteers. • Fall 2009, volunteers were screened and trained for Mothers Supporting Mothers. • Late Fall 2009, connections started. New moms who were assessed to be at risk for a PPMD and who consented, were referred and connected to a volunteer for support.