Government of NL and PHAC announce new funding for Parenting Program
The Honourable John Haggie, Minister of Health and Community Services, launched new free Stepped Care approach to positive parenting in NFLD and Labradour for all children ages 3-6 years old. Strongest Families Institute will receive $520,000 from the Public Health Agency of Canada’s Mental Health Promotion Innovation Fund. These funds will be used to pilot a new, stepped-care model of their proven parenting program in Newfoundland and Labrador.
800 Children in Newfoundland and Labrador will benefit from free screening to increase Parenting Skills
Starting this fall, and over the next 1.5 years, approximately 800 Newfoundland and Labrador children and their families will benefit from the expanded Parents Empowering Kids – The Early Years program. This universal, stepped-care approach is designed to provide evidence-based programs to promote positive parenting skills. The goal will be to help prevent behavioural challenges in early childhood for children ages three to 12. There is no cost to families.
Four levels of parenting program offerings in stepped-care model
Level 1: For parents with three-to-six-year-olds who wish to learn key positive parenting skills to prevent behavioural challenges.
Level 2:For parents of three-to-six-year-olds presenting with mild behavioural issues.
Level 3:For parents with three-to-six-year-olds with behavioural issues that cause some child or family impairments.
Level 4: For parents of three-to-12-year-olds presenting with significant problems and significant impairments.
Call toll free for help
Parents interested in accessing this parenting program can visit the website of the Strongest Families Institute or Bridge the gApp, or call toll free 1-866-470-7111 or register online HERE
Strongest Families Institute is an award-winning, charity endorsed by the Mental Health Commission of Canada and the Governor-General of Canada. It leverages technology and skilled coaches to deliver evidence-based programs across the country to children, youth, adults and families with mental health difficulties, or other issues impacting health and well-being.
As part of Towards Recovery: The Mental Health and Addictions Action Plan for Newfoundland and Labrador; since 2017, the Department of Health and Community Services has secured $1.1 million annually through the Federal Health Accord for e-mental health programs. This includes annual funding for the Strongest Families Institute.
Parents Empowering Kids – The Early Years parenting program fulfills a commitment in Towards Recovery to provide families with access to programs that focus on parental coping skills and building resiliency in children and families.
Quotes
“Developing programs through stepped care for mental health and addictions, and providing access to evidence-based services via technology has helped make Newfoundland and Labrador a leader in e-health, and a prime testing ground for expanding e-health solutions. This new pilot program promotes wellness and early intervention for mild to moderate mental health issues by providing children and families with access to customized care in the comfort of their own homes.”
Honourable John Haggie, Minister of Health and Community Services
“Through our online educational approach, our goal is to reform the current system by focusing on a stepped care approach to prevent behaviour issues by providing Parents Empowering Kids – The Early Years universally to all parents of preschoolers, as the first step towards promoting positive parenting. By equipping parents with these proven skills in the early years, will help them deal with behavioural challenges in a positive manner, promoting a healthier future for the child and family. We are extremely excited to pilot this stepped-care approach to caregivers in Newfoundland and Labrador, thanks to funding from Public Health Agency Canada’s Mental Health Promotion Innovation Fund.” Dr. Patricia Lingley-Pottie, President and CEO, Strongest Families Institute
Towards Recovery – A Mental Health and Addictions Plan for Newfoundland and Labrdor
Media contacts
Kathy Dicks-Peyton
Health and Community Services
709-729-6986, 709-699-1982
kathydickspeyton@gov.nl.ca
Anne Marie Shannon
Strongest Families Institute
902-449-6560
amshannon@strongestfamilies.com