Healthy Babies Healthy Children | Huron Perth Public Health

Healthy Babies Healthy Children (HBHC) is a free, voluntary program for expectant parents and families with children from birth up to transition to school.

About the program

The HBHC program involves providing information and support while you are pregnant, after your baby is born, and as your child grows.

Prenatal health

Having a healthy pregnancy and birth
How to prepare for your new baby
Planning to feed your baby

Infant feeding support

Support with infant feeding
Caring for and connecting with your baby

Healthy growth and development

How your baby grows
Helping your child grow and develop
Food and healthy eating
Developmental checklists

Safety

Safe sleep
Safe feeding
Safe play
Home safety

Positive parenting and attachment

Parenting support
Taking care of yourself and your family

School readiness

Speech, language, social emotional skills
Toileting

Support to access other community programs and services

Access to breastfeeding clinics and services
Parenting programs
Connecting with your community

We are here for you, every step of the way!

Following the birth of a baby, you may receive a phone call from a public health nurse to ensure you have the information and support you need. The public health nurse may also offer a home visit with the option of ongoing home visiting.

Eligibility

The program is offered to pregnant people and their families while they are pregnant, after the birth of a child, and until the child starts school. Depending on your eligibility, a public health nurse can support you and your family through home visiting. If you need extra parental support and encouragement or your child has health or developmental concerns, the HBHC program may be suitable for you and your family.

The home visiting program team

HBHC offers blended home visits to eligible families with the support of a public health nurse and a parent resource visitor.

Role of Public Health Nurse

A public health nurse can visit your home to help you while you are expecting or after the birth of your child to:

understand your pregnancy and how to take care of yourself
prepare for your new baby and what to expect when you give birth
how to feed your baby
address any health concerns that you have about yourself or your baby
answer questions about comforting and parenting your baby
help you adjust to your new role as a parent

Role of Parent Resource Visitor

Parent resource visitors have received training to become skilled peer mentors. It is through mentoring at regular home visits that they help parents discover their strengths and reach their goals to be the best parent for their child. By reviewing goals identified in the family's service plan, a parent resource visitor will:

encourage and support you during your pregnancy and after the baby is born
role model positive parenting and attachment
review home safety and developmental checklists
connect you to services in your community

Contact us if you would like to learn more about the services offered through Healthy Babies Healthy Children. You can also give your family doctor, nurse practitioner, midwife, family member, or friend permission to call on your behalf.

Email hbhcintake@hpph.ca

Call 1-888-221-2133 ext 3575

Submit a referral

HBHC referrals can be made as a self-referral or a professional referral from a healthcare or service provider. A public health nurse will contact you after receiving the referral form.
Complete an online referral form

Alternatively, healthcare or service providers may complete this printable referral form [PDF] and fax it to HPPH at 519-271-8243 or toll-free at 1-855-271-8243.