Waterloo Region – With increased funding from the Government of Ontario, the Healthy Babies, Healthy Children program is expanding to help more families in Waterloo Region. 

Healthy Babies, Healthy Children (HBHC) is a parenting support program that provides home visits to eligible parents/caregivers with young children. Eligibility to the program is based on a needs assessment completed Public Health. It is a free and voluntary program funded by the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services and delivered by public health units across Ontario. 

“The Healthy Babies, Healthy Children program is an important part of our work to support the growth and development of our youngest residents,” said Dr. Hsiu-Li Wang, Commissioner of Public Health and Paramedic Services and Medical Officer of Health, Region of Waterloo. “This investment in upstream, preventative measures, helps to reduce health inequities and improves health outcomes for babies and children across the region.”

The Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services has provided a 23 per cent increase to the Region of Waterloo’s HBHC program budget; the first budget increase since 2012. 

"Thank you to our provincial partners for the increased funding of this vital program in our community,” said Jim Erb, Region of Waterloo Councillor and Chair of the Region’s Community and Health Services Committee. “With this support, we can expand our efforts to help young families facing increasingly complex challenges, ensuring every child gets the best possible start in life."

HBHC partners with local hospitals, midwifery practices and Family and Children’s Services.

“Families who give birth at Grand River Hospital – particularly those new to Canada or with limited supports at home - benefit significantly from the Healthy Babies, Healthy Children (HBHC) program,” said Kim Moran RN, MN, Manager – Childbirth at Grand River Hospital. “This program helps families to meet with Public Health while still in the hospital. The connection introduces families to community supports, including public health services and how the HBHC program can assist families as they adjust to life at home with a new baby.”

Public Health helps families learn more about:

• breastfeeding, food and healthy nutrition
• connecting with their baby
• helping their child grow and develop
• taking care of themselves and their family 
• accessing services available in the community, such as housing, income  supports, EarlyON parenting centres and child care

In 2024, more than 5,000 of the 6,882 children born to families in the region agreed to complete the program’s screening questions with Public Health. After screening and assessment, 277 families opted to receive in-home support from Public Health staff who specialize in child health and development.

More information and supports for new parents are available at Region of Waterloo Public Health.  

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