Infant and Child Development Information for Healthcare Providers

• HaltonParents is a team of public health nurses available to answer any questions you or your patients have about breastfeeding, pregnancy, parenting, mental health supports and more! In a world where parents have access to an abundance of information, evidence-based and quality information is more important than ever. Encourage your patients to call 311 or email haltonparents@halton.ca.
• HaltonParents eBulletins are newsletters emailed to parents/caregivers on a regular basis until their child is 4 years of age. They provide helpful tips about topics such as feeding and nutrition, health and safety, growth and development and parenting. Register for ebulletin at halton.ca.
• Early Years Check-in Tool (external link) is a simple tool of 11 items related to social, emotional, language, movement, thinking and learning skills. Discover what steps parents can take to help foster their child’s development.
• Play & Learn (external link) provides fun games and activities that parents and caregivers can do with their child to help them learn, grow and thrive. Once enrolled, families will receive an email or text weekly with suggested activities based on their child’s age.
• Nutrition Support For information on nutrition and healthy eating, you and your patients can speak with a registered dietician for free by calling Health811 at 1-866-797-0000 or visit unlockfood.ca (external link)

• Halton- EarlyON Child and Family Centres
  In each municipality in Halton, EarlyON Centres provide a wide array of services for families with young children. Visit halton.ca for EarlyON centres in Halton
• Municipal Libraries
  • Burlington Public Library
  • Halton Hills Public Library
  • Milton Public Library
  • Oakville Public Library
• Ontario 211 (external link)
  A free helpline that connects you to social services, programs, and community supports. Call or text ‘211’ – or visit 211Ontario.ca (external link).

Refer families to any of the programs below using the Coordinated Referral Form (PDF file) or direct families to call 311.

Halton Region services and supports

• Infant Child Development Services (birth to 5 years) provides supports for babies born prematurely or prenatally exposed to substances, children with a special needs diagnosis or concerns related to their development. A developmental consultant and/or an occupational therapist provide free in-home services that support baby or child’s communication, play, feeding, sleeping, routines and transition skills.
• Inclusion Services (birth to 12 years) provides support in licensed childcare centres, licensed home care, or before and after school programs to children with a special needs diagnosis or a developmental concern. A Resource Consultant can work directly with educators to support child development and the inclusion of all children in the classroom.
• Family, Community and Behavioural Services (2 to 21 years) provides support to children or youth with a special needs’ diagnosis (not including Autism Spectrum Disorder) or suspected or confirmed Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder and a behavioural concern. A behavioural consultant provides free services to families in their home, child care, schools or other community settings and can support skill building for daily living, communication, social interactions, emotional regulation and transitions.
• Childcare Subsidy- Social Medical Referral. Financial assistance may be available for eligible clients referred by community professionals based on social/medical needs of a child and/or parent. The following criteria must be met: reason for referral, period and duration of care, and agency plan to support the family. Note: Childcare subsidy is not available for before and after school care with a social/medical referral.
• Healthy Babies, Healthy Children (HBHC) program Ontario’s HBHC program provides free home visits to parents-to-be and families with young children (from birth to the start of school) by public health nurses and trained family visitors. Information and guidance can be provided on how to:
  • have a healthy pregnancy;
  • build a positive relationship with their child;
  • support their child’s growth and development including healthy eating and routines; and
  • take care of themselves and connect with community supports and services.
  Patients can also self-refer for this program.
• Halton Prenatal Nutrition Program is a free, weekly program run by a public health nurse and a registered dietitian for parents during their pregnancy and after baby is born. Offered in-person and provides:
  • a welcoming environment for those needing extra support; including young pregnant parents, families new to Canada or new to their community;
  • an opportunity to learn about pregnancy and parenting;
  • a healthy meal each week and help accessing healthy foods and vitamins;
  • a chance to meet other parents and make new friends;
  • transportation and language translation services if required.
  This is a drop-in program. No referral needed.
• Kids & Me Drop-In Neighbourhood Groups is a free, weekly parenting and early learning structured drop-in play groups for families with babies/children up to 6 years who would like extra support. The program is run by a public health nurse, early childhood educator, child development consultant and a librarian. Parents can access parenting support and ask questions about their child’s growth and development. The aim of the program is to support parents and to help children learn, socialize and practice routines to prepare for a successful transition to childcare or school. Registration is not required.

Other community services

• ErinoakKids (external link) provides medical, therapeutic and support services to children with physical and developmental disabilities, autism, communication disorders and children who are deaf or blind. Call 905-855-2690 (press 1) or visit ErinoakKids Intake Services and Referrals (external link).
• Reach Out Centre for Kids (ROCK) (external link) provides a range of free mental health services for children and youth from birth to 17, as well as their families. To make a referral call 289-266-0036.
• SmartStart (external link) Hub delivered through ErinoakKids can support parents/caregivers with questions about their child’s development and accessing the services and supports available in their region. The SmartStart Hub intake can be accessed by dialing: 905-855-2690, ext. 9. Toll free: 1-877-374- 6625 or visit the SmartStart registration form (external link).