Maternal and Child Health (MCH) is a program that is delivered through partnerships and builds on other community programs. It is a proactive, preventative and strategic approach to promoting the good health and development of on-reserve pregnant First Nations women and families with infants and young children. The program aims to reach all pregnant women and new parents, with long-term support for those families who require additional services.
A key element of the program is home visiting by nurses and family visitors (experienced mothers in the community), who provide information, support, and linkages to other services; integrating culture into care is a key aspect of the program.
Program objectives include increasing First Nations training opportunities for MCH service providers, increasing participation of on-reserve community members in planning and developing services, increasing coordination of services for on-reserve clients, and developing and/or using existing evaluation tools to measure progress using evidence-based models and approaches.
For the past ten years the provinces and territories have been strengthening their maternal and child health programming because it has such a positive effect on the lives of pregnant women, and families with infants and young children.
PARENTING AND FAMILY RESOURCES AND SUPPORTS
BC Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres (BCAAFC) often have programs for parents, children, and pregnant women.
250-388-5522
www.bcaafc.com
BC Council for Families is a source of dependable, current information and advice including parenting programs, online information, and online discussion groups for parents.
www.bccf.ca
First Nations Parents Club helps support parents with educational success.
1-877-422-36-72
www.fnsa.ca/parentsclub
Healthy Families BC – Parenting is an online resource for all British Columbians with information about pregnancy and parenting.
www.healthyfamiliesbc.ca/parenting
Metis Family Services provides services for parents
www.metisfamilyservices.ca/programs-services
The National Collaborating Centre for Aboriginal Health (NCCAH) is a source of reliable, current information of First Nations, Inuit, and Metis child, youth, and family health.
www.nccah.ca
EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT
Aboriginal Infant Development Program works together with families to support the growth and development of young children.
1-866-338-4881
www.aidp.bc.ca
Aboriginal Supported Child Development is a program for children with developmental delays or disabilities and their families.
1-866-338-4881
www.ascdp.bc.ca
The Aboriginal Head Start Association of British Columbia (AHSABC) provides programs that support early childhood development, school readiness, and family health and wellness for children from bith to six years old.
www.ahsabc.net
Canadian Physical Activity Guide for the Early Years give some guidelines for physical activity for children.
www.csepguidelines.ca/early-years-0-4/
Community Action Program for Children promotes the healthy development of young children (0-6) who are living in conditions of risk.
www.capc-pace.phac-aspc.gc.ca/en
Preschoolers: Building a Sense of Security fact sheet by BC HealthLink
www.healthlinkbc.ca/health-topics/ta7012
INFANT HEALTH
HealthLink BC Safe Sleeping for Babies
www.healthlinkbc.ca/healthlinkbc-files/safe-sleeping-babies
Healthy Baby Healthy Brain is a parent website about early brain development
www.healthybabyhealthybrain.ca
La Leche League Canada encourages, promotes and provides mother-to-mother breastfeeding support and educational opportunities.
www.lllc.ca
PRENATAL AND MATERNAL HEALTH
Canada Prenatal Nutrition Program provides support to improve the health and well-being of pregnant women, new mothers and babies facing challenging life circumstances.
www.cpnp-pcnp.phac-aspc.gc.ca/en
The BC Association of Pregnancy Outreach Programs (BCAPOP)
604-314-8797
www.bcapop.ca/POP-Programs
