Offers a respite program for young parents age 24 and younger. Children ages 6 weeks to 6 years can be dropped off while the parents run errands, attend appointments etc.
Youth Services for Pregnancy and Parenting
These services focus on supporting youth who are pregnant or parenting.
Grace Haven Respite Program
Work: 905-522-7336
Cost:
Who can access this service: None
Open to all parents ages 24 and younger with children ages 6 weeks to 6 years
Call the office before Thursday of each week to schedule an time.
Indigenous Healthy Babies, Healthy Children Program
Contact for information.
Cost:
Who can access this service: None
Open to all Indigenous new parents.
Contact for information.
Assists Indigenous families in providing the best opportunities for the healthy development of children 0-6 years of age through education, family home visits, service coordination, and referrals.
- Professional peer counselling
- Education and support programs
- Cultural practices and teachings
- Breastfeeding education and support
- Pre/post-natal care
- Nutrition
- Growth and child development assessments
- Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) and Fetal Alcohol Effects (FAE) information
- Bonding
- Building self-esteem and life skills
- Health and safety
Learning, Earning and Parenting Program (LEAP)
Work: 905-546-2424 x3088
Contact for information.
Cost:
Who can access this service: None
Must be a parent between 16 and 25 years old and receiving support from Ontario Works and/or the Ontario Disability Support Program.
Phone or email for information. Ontario Works recipients can call directly or speak to their case manager.
Offers support to young parents navigating a return to secondary school, adult education or alternative education options to complete secondary school (Grade 12). The LEAP program also provides encouragement and enhancement of parenting skills through community involvement as well as promoting independence, self esteem, and job readiness as a part of the City of Hamilton’s Youth Team.
Nurse-Family Partnership Program
Work: 905-546-3550
Cost:
Who can access this service: None
First time mothers, 21 years of age or less, in first or second trimester of pregnancy.
Call Health Connections at 905-546-3550 for referral information or fax referral
A prenatal and infancy home visitation program for young, first time parents provided by public health nurses. Program begins during pregnancy and for the first two years of the children’s lives.
Goals include improving pregnancy outcomes, improving child health and development, and improving parents' self-sufficiency. Nurses provide support and education on health, child development, parenting issues, life goals and access to community resources.
Public health nurses are available to visit agencies and organizations, to further explain the program and the referral process.
Online Prenatal Program
Work: 905-546-3550
Cost:
Who can access this service: None
New or expecting parents.
Fill out the registration form online.
A free, online program for new or expectant parents, that can be done at their own pace using a computer or mobile device. Topics covered:
- pregnancy
- birth
- breastfeeding
- newborn care
Ujima Project
Work: 289-659-3857 (Family Navigator)
Work: 289-659-5671 (Early Literacy Specialist)
Cost:
Who can access this service: None
Young parents, 29 years and under.
Contact for information.
A one-stop model of access to services for young parents that strives to meet their children’s early developmental needs.
Programs include:
- Age-based screening and assessment
- Baby Love program
- Family navigaton
- Early literacy supports
- Play and Learn
Young and Expecting Parent Program
Work: 905-308-1543
Contact for information.
Cost:
Who can access this service: None
Young and expecting parents, age 14-21 years.
Contact the guidance counsellor at the parent's school for registration information.
Students bring their infant to the classroom with them, where they work with a Secondary School teacher to earn credits and receive hands-on parenting support from an Early Childhood Educator. Students have the opportunity to learn alongside other young parents and connect with a variety of community resources such as the Ontario Early Years Centres.
Young Parent Program
Work: 289-246-9064
Contact for information.
Cost:
Who can access this service: None
Parents ages 25 and younger.
Contact for more information.
Provides individualized ongoing support to pregnant and parenting youth and their children using a collaborative approach to help remove barriers and engage parents to develop skills, foster resiliency, and increase self-efficacy through coordination of access to community-based services, and planning and coordination of multidisciplinary services such as:
- Health
- Nutrition
- Education
- Parenting
- Psychosocial development (emotional, intellectual, and social skills)
- Life skills (empowering critical thinking, problem solving, self-reflection, and interpersonal skills)
- Self-sufficient budgeting and housing solutions