Healthy Children Iniative Introduction The Departments of Education, Culture and Employment and Health and Social Services are working together to achieve a vision where: Healthy children of healthy parents grow up in strong supporting families in caring communities. To do this, they have created a program that provides financial support to people, organizations and communities that create programs and services to work towards the accomplishment of this vision. This document is divided in three parts that: summarize the initiative in detail provide proposal guidelines for those communities or agencies that are interested in starting up programs and services list community program examples Strategy and Vision The Departments of Education, Culture and Employment and Health and Social Services are working together to develop and implement a long-term strategy for investing in Northern children and families. The vision guiding this strategy is one of healthy children growing up in strong supportive families, within caring communities. This document describes the Healthy Children Initiative. It establishes the principles and defines approaches and goals which have been identified to achieve this vision. In 1995, the Departments of Health and Social Services and Education, Culture and Employment established a joint working group to develop this strategy. The team examined Early Childhood Intervention programs in the NWT and across Canada. Interviews were conducted with about 200 individuals representing a cross section of professionals, program operators, and program recipients throughout the NWT. Programs were also examined at the national level. While the environment of the NWT is unique in many respects, the research shows that programs everywhere share some common elements. This initiative is based on many of the successes in these other jurisdictions. The Healthy Children Initiative The Healthy Children Initiative is about: the development of children from prenatal to age six Page 1-10
supporting children, families and communities to develop young children prevention and health promotion supporting a wide range of programs and services from primary intervention to therapeutic services promoting and supporting cooperation between governments, community agencies and helping organizations Priniciples The key principles guiding the development of Healthy Children Programs are: community ownership culture based building on the existing strengths of the child, parent(s), family and community families are the primary teachers and caregivers provision of a full range of family supports agencies working together to support families evaluation and continuous improvement Through research it was learned that successful programs have a community development focus and are based on community needs as defined by members of the community. Successful programs are rooted in the language and culture of the community and are based on traditional values and perspectives. Successful programs also follow community values to form a foundation for planning and program design. The Healthy Children Initiative focuses on the shift from a child-centred to a more family-centred model. Earlier models were treatment driven - focusing on correcting and treating weaknesses and deficits. The family centred approach places more emphasis on family needs and strengths. The development of family skills and knowledge supports the child so that he/she can reach their full potential. The professional's role in this approach changes from "expert" to facilitator or generalist. Successful programs are based on meeting a range of family needs and are often based on a "Family Support Plan". This plan is based on family needs which identify goals and objectives. It requires support and must include follow-up activities to ensure success. Community level workers are often involved. They offer intensive home-based services and come to know the families they serve very well. The family often needs an array of services and workers have to work closely with health professionals, social workers, teachers, etc., to provide these services. Good programs have long term clearly defined goals. They also have objectives that plainly define desirable outcomes. These objectives and outcomes are the basis for on-going evaluation and continuous improvement. Why This Initiative is Important It is critical that children from birth to five years of age and their families have access to programs and services that give them a strong positive start in their early years. Typically, up to 30% of children starting school can benefit from assistance and support. Page 2-10
A Family Centred Approach Children's ability to learn and develop is directly tied to the wellness of their parents, their family and their community. This approach, therefore, requires the support of children, families and communities. This approach: works to strengthen families and communities so they can more effectively deal with problems recognizes that the child is part of a family unit attempts to address the child's needs by building on the strengths of the family unit Promotion and prevention programs enable families and communities to make healthy choices. This initiative encourages parents and families to identify problems and find solutions that will benefit their children. The approach also recognizes that positive family environments have positive affects on children. It will: assist parents to apply problem solving techniques to everyday problems assist parents to understand that their lifestyle choices will affect their children Holistic Approach The Healthy Children Initiative emphasizes an holistic approach where young people, parents, families and communities are part of a very important network that works to develop healthy babies who grow into healthy children. The key areas identified as being part of the initiative are: Strengthening Young People Healthy Babies Supporting Parents Building Strong Families Healthy Communities In developing a framework for the Healthy Children Initiative it was understood that programs and services were also required for families and communities because of their indirect impact on the health of children. Strengthening Young People The basic skills and knowledge needed to be a good parent are acquired long before becoming a parent. Decisions about: pregnancy lifestyle choices problem solving handling stress parenting Page 3-10
will impact on the adolescent's parenting ability. Objectives for Strengthening Young People: young people become well informed about health issues young people become well informed about family planning young people become well informed about parenting young people have access to services that will help them deal with critical issues in their lives There are a number of initiatives that would strengthen our young people. These include peer counselling, school health programs (especially lifestyle education), and a parenting curriculum in high schools. Healthy Babies Many factors influence whether or not a baby is born healthy. Supporting pregnant women through their pregnancies can positively influence some of these factors. Although a pregnant woman has the primary responsibility to make healthy lifestyle choices, she is also influenced by her partner, her family and her friends. It is, therefore, important that these people understand their role and the implications of such lifestyle choices as: the use of drugs, including alcohol the importance of nutrition the implications of smoking The community also has a role, through its attitude towards issues such as drinking, during pregnancy. Objectives for Healthy Babies: pregnant women are well informed of health issues that could affect the health of the unborn child husbands, partners, families, friends and communities be well informed about how important it is to support the expectant mother parents, families and communities be well informed about infant development issues and parenting responsibilities Supporting Parents Healthy parental involvement is critical to the development of children. The goal is to have strong healthy parents who support children to meet their potential. Enhancing community level parenting courses assists parents to provide quality care for their children. Providing community level parenting courses, home support, and respite care will support parents. In addition, providing support for the services and program staff enhances the level of service provided. Page 4-10
Objectives for Supporting Parents: traditional knowledge about parenting forms the foundation for parenting in the communities parents be well informed about parenting and child development issues development of home-based and centre-based programs development of early childhood programs and services in communities community-based health care services including regular screening, early identification and referral services therapeutic services which are accessible to all children requiring them Building Strong Families A healthy family is required to support healthy children. Strong healthy families support parents and children to meet their full potential. Objectives for Building Strong Families: families be well informed about their role in developing healthy children families be well informed about family wellness and child development issues cultural activities and traditional values be promoted safe, healthy environments be developed for parents and children Healthy Communities Healthy communities supporting parents to develop their children to meet their full potential is the goal. This supports the belief that is takes a whole community to raise a child. We all have a role to play in the development of healthy children and families. Objectives for Healthy Communities: communities be well informed about parenting and child development issues communities be well informed about their importance in developing healthy families and children community cultural activities and traditional values be promoted a strong foundation for community life be promoted communities strengthen and support children, parents and families through a family centred approach interagency cooperation in the delivery of early childhood programs and services in communities community based health care services include regular screening, early identification and referral services therapeutic services are accessible and available to all communities communities create safe healthy environments for their children and families Where to Send Your Proposal? This document provides a basic outline for proposals for funding. Please write the proposal however you like, as long as you answer the questions. The proposals will be evaluated based on the information included. Community and regional staff listed below are available to receive Page 5-10