IHBHC is designed to ensure that all Indigenous families and their children (prenatal to age 6) who need assistance with physical, emotional, mental and social issues have access to effective, consistent early intervention services. To provide the best opportunities for healthy child development through home visiting, service coordination, parenting groups, cultural teachings and traditions and referrals. As well as to address the children at risk, to ensure that they have access to services and support that will address their needs. Aboriginal families may also access the provincial program via the local public health unit.
Program Objectives
- The IHBHC program was created as a way to support families in celebrating and honouring new and young life in the Aboriginal community.
- The IHBHC program is a prevention and early intervention strategy of services for families with children prenatal to 6 years of age.
- The IHBBC program workers are a valuable asset to families and communities. They are aware of how children grow and develop, they know the resources available in the community, and they know how to connect families to those resources or services that will address their needs.
The heart of IHBHC programming is preparation for parenting (preconception component), getting ready for the birth of the baby (prenatal care), and taking care of the baby (postnatal care).
Services Provided
- Client Based Services
- Home visits
- Early identification
- Screening
- Family support plans
- Service coordination and referrals
- Participant based activities (focused on groups, rather than individuals)
- Community Awareness Events
- Providing Education on Prenatal/Postnatal Care, Parenting, Nutrition
- Preconception Workshops – Healthy Sexuality, Parenting
- Circles
- Traditional Ceremonies
- Reducing and preventing family violence
- Providing Education on improving health and reducing risk factors
- Promoting positive change in values, attitudes and behaviours
- Fostering healing and enabling participants to achieve and enjoy a healthy and balanced life
- Traditional participant based activities
- Traditional Workshops (regalia making, drum making, quilt making)
- Traditional Ceremonies (sweat lodge, shaking tent, full moon and other healing ceremonies)
- Traditional Healing Circles/Cultural Teaching Circles
- Traditional events (powwows, feasts)
- Land Based Activities
Target Group
The IHBHC program is voluntary and open to any Aboriginal families that request services with children prenatal to 6 years of age.
