Hastings and Prince Edward Counties/March 30, 2022 – Hastings Prince Edward Public Health (HPEPH) is making it easier for parents to connect with a Public Health Nurse (PHN) by re-opening the Baby & Me Drop-in (previously named Baby Feeding Drop-in) on April 4, 2022.
While PHNs have been supporting families throughout the pandemic, the Baby & Me Drop-in makes it as easy as possible for parents or caregivers to access support. During the drop-in, PHNs can provide information about infant feeding, breastfeeding, parenting, growth and development, maternal mental health and more. PHNs can also connect parents with other programs and services that can provide additional support for families with young children. The program is free to attend, and can be accessed by “dropping in” to program locations – no registration is required. The program also allows parents and caregivers to connect with one another in an informal setting.
The Baby & Me Drop-in is offered weekly at the Belleville HPEPH office on Mondays from 1:30 – 3:30 pm and at the Quinte West HPEPH office on Wednesdays from 1:30 – 3:30 pm. Location addresses are available at hpePublicHealth.ca .
“We know that it can be difficult to plan ahead when you are a parent of young children, and we encourage parents to take advantage of the drop-in program to receive support from our knowledgeable and caring PHNs” says Nancy McGeachy, HPEPH Healthy Families Program Manager. “The pandemic has been especially challenging for families with new babies and young children, and it has been difficult for families to access support. We are excited to reopen this program to help families with this wonderful, and at times stressful, phase in their lives.”
The Baby & Me Drop-in is one of the programs and services HPEPH offers to provide support to families with children between the ages of 0 and 6. Parents and caregivers who would like more information about the Baby & Me Drop-in, or who would like to receive support from a PHN by phone or email can contact the HPEPH CARELine by phone at 613-966-5500 or 1-800-267-2803, ext. 223, or by email at careline@hpeph.ca. Additional information about the program is available at hpePublicHealth.ca/clinic/baby-me-drop-in/.
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Media Contacts:
Emily Tubbs, Communications Specialist
etubbs@hpeph.ca
Maureen Hyland, Communications Specialist
mhyland@hpeph.ca
About Hastings Prince Edward Public Health
Hastings Prince Edward Public Health (HPEPH) is a public health agency that serves the counties of Hastings and Prince Edward from four local offices. HPEPH is situated and provides services on the traditional territory of the Anishinaabe, Huron-Wendat and Haudenosaunee people. We monitor the health of our local population, deliver programs and services within our communities, and help develop healthy public policies. We provide information and support in many areas to help improve the health and well-being of our residents. Together with our communities, we help people become as healthy as they can be. For more information, please visit hpePublicHealth.ca. You can also find us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter and Instagram.
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