Maternal Infant Child Health
The Maternal Infant Child Health Cluster integrates the goals and resources from: Maternal Child Health; Aboriginal Head Start; Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD); Canadian Prenatal Nutrition;; and Jordan's Principle. The intent of the program is to address the needs and issues of infants and children 0-6 years old, women of child bearing age and families of infants and young children.
Aboriginal Head Start - is a preschool program for children 0-4 years old and their families. Program principles are to help create a learning environment that is based on cultural experiences and knowledge through parents, elders, community resources, daily activities and integrating the Cree Language into daily lessons.
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) - is aimed at creating awareness.
PreNatal Nutrition Program - is a program that develops or enhances programs for pregnant women. It aims to reduce the incidence of unhealthy birth weights, improve the health of both infant and mother. The services provided include food supplementation, nutrition counselling, support, education, referral and counselling on health and lifestyle issues.
Family Outreach Program - the program is to implement a comprehensive, systematic long-term strategy to address the needs and issues of infants and children 0-6, women of childbearing age and families of infants and young children that is community designed and controlled. Elements have been summarized under the following components of the program:
- Home Visiting (education, support, assessment/screening, advocacy)
- Assessment, Screening and Referral (clinical and non-clinical-pre/postnatal, infant, child and family)
- Support Services
- Classroom child and parent development (Head Start)
- Education and Awareness (primary, secondary, tertiary)
- Disease and Injury Prevention (immunization and injury prevention)
- Capacity Development (staff, parents, elders, child, community, technical infra-structure)
Jordan's Principle Coordination - The program is working to cover the costs for health and social services support for First Nations children in situations when a First Nations child does not have access to publicly funded program usually available to other children. Coverage has been provided for a variety of services and supports, including: Respite Care; Mental Health Services; Rehabilitative therapies; services for children in care; transportation to appointments; medical supplies and equipment; special education supports and services; and long term care for children with specialized needs.