Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound MPP Rick Byers and Huron-Bruce MPP Lisa Thompson have announced significant funding for children’s programs.
Byers and Thompson announced that the government is increasing the annualized funding of the Healthy Babies Healthy Children (HBHC) program.
The Grey Bruce Health Unit will receive a substantial increase of $122,067 to better support children’s development and family well-being in Bruce, Grey and Owen Sound. The program connects vulnerable families to key prevention, early identification and intervention services.
“Family well-being is key to building strong and vibrant communities,” said Byers. “By investing in healthy child development services, we are helping ensure that vulnerable families are connected to the services that support the healthy growth and development of children.”
Thompson said the funding supports an important partnership with the health unit.
“Our partnership with the Grey Bruce Public Health Unit will generate supports in the spirit of healthy families and children,” said Thompson. “Because of the importance of a healthy start for children, I encourage people to contact the public health unit for more information.”
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.
“On behalf of Grey Bruce Public Health, I’d like to thank MPP Rick Byers, MPP Lisa Thompson, and the provincial government for their ongoing support of the Healthy Babies Healthy Children program and for choosing this highly impactful program for increased funding,” said Grey-Bruce’s Medical Officer of Health Dr. Ian Arra. “The overarching goal of the HBHC program is to support healthy early childhood development, which is key to better mental and physical health outcomes throughout the life course. The program’s model and this additional funding will not only assist vulnerable families in Grey-Bruce, but also provide a significant return on investment for public money.”
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, which includes increases of approximately:
- $8.6 million for the Healthy Babies Healthy Children program
- $1.4 million for the Infant Child Development Program
- $1.8 million for the Young Parent Services programs.
This funding will help provide services to support early intervention and optimize healthy growth, development and wellbeing for children, young parents and families.
