Early Childhood Development (ECD) Program for Pregnant & Parenting Women

Part of the Stonehenge Harm Reduction Program

Alcohol and other drug use during pregnancy is a major public health concern.  Substance dependent women tend to neglect general health and prenatal care.  Prenatal management is often difficult due to medical, obstetrical and emotional complications.  Evidence suggests that women who use substances during pregnancy experience poorer birth outcomes.  The negative consequences for babies do not stop at birth; home environments may be chaotic and often children are removed from their mothers’ care if substance abuse continues after birth.

Purpose

The purpose of Stonehenge's "Let’s Grow Together" program is to develop a multilevel model of treatment for substance-involved women who are pregnant and/or parenting.  The services are available to women throughout the Guelph-Wellington-Dufferin Regions.  Partnerships and linkages have been developed with many community agencies (including Public Health, Family & Children’s Services, the Ontario Early Years Centre, FASAT and Ontario Works) to increase the services available to these women.  These partnerships focus on the provision of integrated prenatal health services, parenting education, information, childcare, nutrition and mental health services.

The program consists of residential services (for women in our residential program) as well as day treatment and outreach-based services for women in the community.  Stonehenge has reserved 2 beds in its Women’s Residential Program to accommodate pregnant women.   Referrals are received from a number of sources including Alcohol & Drug Assessment Centres, Family & Children’s Services, Correctional Services and neighborhood groups. 

Day Treatment Program

A Day Treatment Program is also offered by Stonehenge at our Administrative/Out-patient Services site, 60 Westwood Road.  The Day Program provides a range of services in one location for pregnant / parenting women and their children (0 – 6 years) including: addictions assessment and counseling, parenting education, public health services, childcare (including snacks), and consultations regarding legal, financial, and housing matters.  This allows women to receive couselling they need while their children receive child care. Transportation and nutrition assistance are also offered as part of this program.  An Advisory Committee has been established consisting of a number of community partners.  A multi-agency team delivers the program to ensure seamless service and to increase the support base available to women and their children. The program runs from 9:30-12:00pm every Wednesday. There may be a waitlist to get into this program.

Enhancing community connections is also a priority of this program.  The outreach program is one aspect of our community education strategy, which also includes a two-hour training for service providers entitled asking the Tough Questions: Talking with Pregnant and Parenting Women about Their Substance Use.  The goal of this workshop is to increase the comfort and sensitivity of service providers when discussing substance use with clients in order to increase the likelihood of early identification and appropriate referrals for women in need of support.

For more information, please contact our Administrative Office at (519) 837-1470.