How can we make infant and early mental health supports work better for Northern families? Join us for a conversation about what’s working, what’s missing and what Northern communities need to make services more accessible, culturally safe and responsive to local needs.
Over the last eight months, the Lead Agency Consortium has worked with the Knowledge Institute, Children’s Mental Health Ontario (CMHO), and the Ministry of Health, clinicians, families, IEMH experts and community leaders to create a Draft Infant and Early Mental Health (IEMH) Model of Service Delivery.
The model focuses on babies and young children from birth to age six and the people who care for them. It supports children to build strong relationships, explore the world around them, and understand and express their feelings.
The model gives community-based mental health organizations across Ontario a clear and consistent way to provide services. It aims to make services welcoming, easy to understand and responsive to each family’s needs. It also explains who services are for, what families can expect and how organizations can work together with local partners.
At the heart of the model is a simple idea: young children grow and heal through safe, caring relationships, connection to culture and community, and support for the people who care for them.
FIREFLY is now teaming up with the Lead Agency Consortium to offer an opportunity for families and organizations in Northwestern Ontario to have a say on how this model could work for them. Join us October 14 from 10:00-3:00 PM at Perch Bay Resort, lunch included!
During this session, we are bringing community members and organizations together to:
- Review the draft model and make sure it works for families and service providers in Northern communities.
- Talk about what is working, what is missing, and where living in a Northern community can make it harder to access services.
- Choose 3–5 key actions that can help put the model into practice in Northern communities over the next year.
To see the full agenda as well as read more about the process cliquez ici.