For Immediate Release
December 3, 2004
HEALTHY BABIES FOR A HEALTHIER ONTARIO
$517,000 For Young Children And Families in Windsor-Essex
Windsor-Essex - As part of its Best Start Plan, the McGuinty government is investing in the healthy development of Ontario's youngest children by strengthening early screening and support programs, local MPPs Dwight Duncan, Sandra Pupatello, and Bruce Crozier announced today.
"It is critical for us to identify children and families who need support early and get them the help they need. We know that early intervention is the very best way to help children," said Pupatello. "Improving the healthy development of our youngest children is a key part of our Best Start Plan to help children arrive at school ready to learn.
Starting in January, the government is investing $517,000 to support families in the Windsor-Essex region, including:
- $384,878 to the Healthy Babies Healthy Children program
- $79,250 to the Preschool Speech and Language program
- $52,821 to the Infant Hearing Program.
This ongoing investment will mean all consenting mothers and newborns will be screened for developmental delays or risk factors at the hospital, followed by a phone call within 48 hours. Those who need extra help will continue to receive home visits and be referred to other support programs in their community.
"We know that if we can step in and help young families as soon as their baby is born, and even before, we can provide the help that is needed to give the children in Windsor and Essex the best start," said Crozier.
Province-wide, the government is investing an additional $8.35 million in the Healthy Babies Healthy Children program and $6 million in the Infant Hearing and Preschool Speech and Language programs. A child's language development when he/she gets to Grade 1 is the single most reliable indicator of academic success. Language disorders that are not treated are linked to behavioural issues, learning disabilities, poor grades and dropping out of school, youth crime and a later reliance on the social safety net.
These programs are just the first step in a range of support programs we are working on to help provide children and families with the best care possible, said Duncan.
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Contacts:
Vanessa Torrance
Office of Dwight Duncan, MPP
416-327-3546
Jason Hagan
Office of Sandra Pupatello, MPP
416-325-4225
Bruce Crozier
519-776-6420
