The New Beginnings Program works in partnership with our communities to provide services that support First Nations women and their families. This program supports the development of the physical, emotional, intellectual, social, and spiritual well being of all peoples. The members we serve in this program are prenatal/postnatal mothers, children from birth to 6 years of age, older children including youth, and their families.
The New Beginnings Program coordinates the Canadian Prenatal Nutrition Program’s (CPNP), Oral Health and the Circle of Life Program. The enhanced Canadian Prenatal Nutrition Program’s (CPNP) goal aims to improve maternal and infant health through education provided to prepubertal, preconception, prenatal and postnatal women. CPNP has a intensive 26 session program that aims to support, counsell and educate prenatal and postnatal mothers. The goal is to improve maternal and infant nutritional health by providing a greater depth of service to women earlier in their pregnancy and for a longer duration postpartum. The program has a particular focus on those who are facing difficult life circumstances that threaten their health and the development of their babies.
Circle of Life Program is designed to empower all First Nations Women within childbearing years in making healthier lifestyle choices and to decrease the number of alcohol and/or drug exposed births in our community. In the event that children have been exposed to alcohol during pregnancy, the program works with the family to ensure that they have the supports, services and information needed to improve the quality of life of those who experience FASD and their families. The program promotes this by working collaboratively with the Nursing, Holistic Wellness, and Healthy Living Programs to provide seamless service.
Circle of Life Program offers home visits to families. This is a unique 3 year program that provides intensive case management, support and advocacy. The home visitors support the parents in building strong relationships with their children and families and in addition provide information, teaches life skills, provides advocacy, encourages families to work toward developing and maintaining healthy life style choices through connecting them with community services, assisting and supporting them with goal setting and focusing on families strength.