Health, wellness, early identification, and intervention play important roles in positive child development outcomes. Integrated systems, current research and innovative ideas are some ways to meet health challenges.


Presentations

Linking Systems to Best Engage and Work with Pregnant and Parenting Women Who Use Substances (Ontario)
Lucy Van Wyk, Consultant, Ontario Early Childhood Development – Addictions Initiative; Diana Dickey, Supervisor, Child Development Centre, Pathways to Healthy Families Program, Jean Tweed Centre

The latest best practices for engaging and working with pregnant and parenting women who use substances, and their children through bringing together service providers from all the relevant systems to ensure that a “safety net” is created for the family. This presentation will take into account the context of stigma and subsequent barriers that are specific to women with substance-use issues. Case examples are used to illustrate successful practices.

Lucy Van Wyk possesses clinical experience in the areas of treatment for women with substance-abuse and trauma issues. She serves on the clinical consultation team of the “Breaking Cycle” program, a service for pregnant and parenting women who are involved with drugs or alcohol. Van Wyk is also a member of the Ontario Colleges of Social Workers and Social Service Workers. Presented on March 27, 2007. Download the presentation (PDF 72 KB).


Additional Links

American Academy of Pediatrics 
Best Start 
Canadian Mental Health Association 
Canadian Paediatric Society 
Growing Healthy Canadians 
International Play Association 
National Institute of Child Health and Human Development 
Peel Postpartum Mood Disorder Program