Prenatal Nutrition Program
The Prenatal Nutrition Program (PNP) aims to improve the health and awareness of mothers during pregnancy. PNP also supports new mothers and their families from the baby’s birth to six months of age. The program promotes a supportive community approach to the care and healthy upbringing of our newest members and their families.
It is staffed by a coordinator and has been offered at Council Fire since 1996. The program is funded by Public Health Agency of Canada.
Services provided include:
• Food supplements
• Pre & post-natal education workshops
• Cultural and craft workshops (moccasins,
baby quilts)
• Counseling
• Birthing celebrations
• Naming ceremonies
• Baby showers
• Community kitchen demonstrations (making baby food, cooking nutritional foods on a budget)
• Baby equipment exchange
• Home/hospital visits
• Referral to other services
Family Nurturing Program
The First Nations Family Nurturing Program is also referred to as the Community Action Program for Children (CAPC). The intention of the program is to strengthen families by providing parents care giving skills, support community development and healing, and to improve the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual well-being of Aboriginal children from six months to 6 years old.
The program is staffed by two full-time coordinators and has been offered at the Council Fire since 1996. It is funded by the Public Health Agency of Canada.
Programming and services are based on four core standards:
• Child development and nutrition
• Parenting and caretaking skills
• Cultural development and retention
• Community Development
Programs and services:
• Community kitchen
• Public Health Peer Nutrition Program
• Parent relief
• Traditional crafts
• After school drum group
• YMCA (Parents and Tots and the
Move It 2 Lose It fitness program)
• Super Dads Super Kids Parenting
• Beyond the Basics Parenting
• Positive First Nations Parenting
• Nobody’s Perfect Parenting
• Dads Group
• Baby music
• Prevent Diabetes...One Step at a time
• Drop-in (referrals to food banks, clothing banks, support letters, clothing exchange, baby food, diapers and wipes, and formula)
• Home visits
Workshops:
• Healthy living
• Traditional teachings
• Injury prevention
• Health related illnesses
• Child health and development.
Special Programming:
Children aged four to six years old have the opportunity to participate in March Break and Summer Camp programming. This year children participated in several activities, including visits to: the Ontario Science Center, Center Island (Franklin’s Garden and rides), the Royal Ontario Museum, the movies, Book Bank, Horse Capades, Brook’s Farm (Strawberry Picking), the Canadian National Exhibition, Paradise Playground, Riverdale Farm, High Park, Sky Zone, Kids Fun City, Ripley’s Aquarium, splash pads/parks, the Beaches, and Gardening, Kid’s Kitchen.
Other activities included: traditional crafts, science experiments, and traditional teachings/storytelling.
Special Events Throughout the Year:
Valentine’s Day celebration, birthday celebrations, Easter party, Earth Day celebration, Mother’s Day, self-care days, Father’s Day, feasts, Stars and Strollers (Movies), Family Day outing, beach outings, Eastview pow wow, parenting program graduations, Health Fair, Mud Hero 6K Obstacle Course, Back to School Party, Halloween Party, Children’s Christmas Party, and Christmas hamper/toy distribution.
Individuals and Families served:
Between the months of April 2017 to March 2018 the Child and Family Support/ Well-Being Sector has interacted with 3,632 individuals and families who have utilized program, services, workshops and special events.
