STRENGTHENING FAMILIES MATERNAL CHILD HEALTH
STRENGTHENING FAMILIES MATERNAL CHILD HEALTH
Welcome to Strengthening Families Maternal Child Health at the First Nations Health and Social Secretariat of Manitoba, where the Regional SF-MCH Team guides and supports program delivery services for all First Nation communities in Manitoba.
The program is lead and driven by a First Nation framework developed by community members, elders, youth, families, community leadership and MCH staff. Creating positive impacts that extend through generations is imperative to Strengthening Families. The program is designed to support and nurture the over all well being of children and families, through strength-based relationships that utilize current evidence-based resources and traditional practices grounded in community knowledge.
As late Elder Elmer Courchene reminded us that “in all that we do, we must never forget that we work for the little ones.” Children deserve to grow up healthy, confident, and proud of where they come from and who they are. Children are the hope of our future, the love of our people, and the joy of each nation because Every Child Matters.
Strong, healthy, supportive families that live holistic and balanced lifestyles.
Overarching Vision
THE MCH PROGRAM PHILOSOPHY
The period from conception to six years of age has the most influence of any time period on brain development, behavior and health. The effects of maternal health during pregnancy as well as childhood experiences within the first six years affect the brain development for a lifetime. In addition, improving knowledge of preconception and reproductive health among young adults helps to promote a healthy start to pregnancy.
Program Goals
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Empower Families
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Promote the physical, emotional, mental and spiritual well-being of women, children and families
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Promote trusting & supportive relationships between parent and child, careprovider/family, and resource-to-resource
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Increase communities’ capacity to support families
Guiding Principles
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Grounded in First Nation culture
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Built on community strengths
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Voluntary participation
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Strength based approach
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Relationship focused
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Strengthen community capacity
COMMUNITY PROGRAM SITES
Barren Lands
Brokenhead
Bunibonibee Cree Nation
Cross Lake
Dakota Tipi
Ebb and Flow
Fox Lake
Garden Hill
God’s Lake Narrows
Hollow Water
Keeseekoowenin
Long Plain
Mathias Colomb
Manto Sipi Cree Nation
Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation
Norway House
Northlands
Opaskwayak Cree Nation
O-Pipon-Na-Piwin-Cree Nation
Peguis
Pinaymootang
Pine Creek
Rolling River
Roseau River
Sagkeeng
Sapotaweyak
Sayisi Dene
Shamattawa
Tataskweyak
Tootinaowaziibeeng
War Lake
Wasagamack
Waywayseecappo
York Factory
OUR PROJECTS
01
BABIES ARE SCARED
A culturally appropriate safe sleep guide intended to be shared with all caregivers and service providers to educate on evidence-based sleep practices to decrease the risk of Sudden Unexpected Infant Deaths.
02
TRADITIONAL PARENTING
A manual designed and created by grandmothers to share traditional parenting practices that have been carried through generations which help support a child’s development and strengthen families’ relationships.
REGIONAL TEAM
Adele
Clinical Peer Resource Specialist
Ashley
Administrative Assistant/Training Coordinator
Elizabeth
Nurse Program Advisor
Joyce
Peer Resource Specialist
Stephanie
Midwife Advisor
Last Updated: 2024-05-31