Searching for Young Parents

Monica Place supports pregnant or parenting youth and their children who may benefit from:

• Safe and supervised residential living
  
• Practical and emotional support with respect to pregnancy or parenting
  
• Support to continue with education, on-site counselling available
  
• Individualized goal planning
  
• Life skills teaching
  
• Decision-making

Monica Place maintains a trauma-informed approach to providing support. The programs offered incorporate and promote the positive parenting principles initiated by the Positive Parenting Community Committee of Waterloo Region.

Support, information and resources for pregnant and parenting teens in Guelph

• guidance, support, and educational reconnection
• free child care provided for programs
• groups for young mothers and their partners
• donation closet with toys, baby accessories, clothing
• bus tickets and meals provided at each group
• advocacy and referral to relevant community agencies
• group drop-in program

Outreach programs are also available and vary throughout the year. Contact TAPPs staff for information on programming within the community.

Financial donations and donations of baby food, clothing, diapers welcome.

Visit COVID-19 Information and Updates for the latest on how to access programs and services during COVID-19.

Temporary income and employment assistance for low income individuals and families in immediate financial need. Requires a financial assessment to determine eligibility for services.

Employment Supports and Benefits

• caseworkers work closely with participants to develop individualized action plans that address unique needs
• participants guided through each stage and encouraged to stay on track
• employment benefits to assist clients in finding and starting a job

Additional employment supports include:

• basic educational upgrading
• English as a second language training
• job specific skills training
• job search assistance (resumé writing, interview preparation)
• access to volunteer and employment placements

Discretionary Benefits for recipients of Ontario Works assistance, or Ontario Disability Support Program assistance.

Other programs include:

• Learning, Earning and Parenting (LEAP) - for young parents, ages 16-25 years
• Self-Employment - training and supports to operate a business; delivered in partnership with Business Centre Guelph-Wellington
• Life Skills Case Management - intensive support for those who are experiencing issues related to addictions or mental health
• services for empoyers

Parent mentorship program

• trained local volunteer peer-mentors are able to help parents in need connect with community resources, communicate one-on-one, and provide guidance

Centre offers support to anyone faced with an unplanned pregnancy

• variety of free and confidential services
• staff and volunteers provide fact-based information, advocacy support, mentoring and practical assistance

Services include:

• one-on-one client advocacy for men and women
• on-site self-administered pregnancy test
• prenatal support
• post-natal support
• postpartum support
• post-abortion grief support and recovery
• adoption information and referral
• information on STDs and STIs
• Growing Hearts Program (weekly mom peer program)
• Eye Spy Squad (Infant-preschool toddlers of moms in Growing Hearts program)
• Practical Fatherhood initiatives
• various workshops on topics such as Parenting and PreNatal
• Care Closet (practical assistance)
• referrals

Emergency Assistance for those not on Ontario Works (OW) or Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) and have no access to other supports, have applied to EI but have not received payment. How to Apply online HERE or contact at 519-271-3773 Ext 200. Rates based on OW entitlements and are issued temporarily for 16-48 days through an expedited process

Ontario Works - Basic Financial Assistance may be available to assist with cost of basic needs like food, clothing and shelter as well as health benefits and employment assistance. Eligibility is assessed by reviewing family size, income, assets and housing cost. At this time applications for financial assistance and participation agreements can be completed over the phone and verified through third party checks. More information about OW along with rates of assistance can be found HERE How to Apply online HERE or contact at 1-888-999-1142 (including those who have previously been in receipt of OW and need to re-apply)

Financial Assistance - Monthly allowance based on family size, housing costs and income, monthly drug benefit card and other services including covering the costs related to starting a job or work placement

Employment Assistance - Clients 18-65 years must participate in employment assistance activities unless they are living with a serious disability or illness, or caring for preschool children

Community Participation - volunteer placements, job search programs based on individual's skills, experience and circumstances, employment placement - job matching service, basic education -- basic adult upgrading, high school upgrading, English as a Second Language (ESL) classes, literacy and basic skills, job skills training -- development of skills for specific jobs, on-the-job training, supports to self-employment and referrals to self-employment programs

Discretionary Benefits may include one-time health related items such as eye glasses, emergency dental treatment, prosthetics and health related supplies, Non-health related items such as essential appliances, utility arrears (in order to avoid disconnection, costs associated with funerals, burials and cremations. Programs may vary by City or Municipality

MyBenefits www.ontario.ca/mybenefits online access to report changes to or to get information about your Ontario Works file.

Temporary Care Program - there is financial assistance available for children under the care of a guardian or with no available parent

Emergency Homelessness - People and families in need of emergency housing during regular work hours should contact the Ontario Works office to speak with an Outreach worker. Outside of normal business hours, contact Shelterlink at 519-272-2294 or 1-888-829-7484

Program that supports young parents in receipt of financial assistance to help finish high school, improve parenting skills and prepare for and find work

Those who successfully complete the program may qualify for $500 to use toward:

• post-secondary education or training
• investing in an education trust for their children

Provides support for pregnant and parenting young people living in the community who may need assistance making connections to community resources, navigating services systems, and learning self-advocacy skills.
Also offers Community Education and Awareness workshops/presentations about young parent needs. Staff are available to offer in-service education about the needs of young parents and the supports offered through St. Martin's Manor and the Young Parent Network of Hamilton

Free childcare program for children (0-5 years) of young parents under 25 in order to support them in maintaining positive mental health.
Parents are expected to provide both lunch and dinner for their children. Children will have opportunities to play both indoors and outdoors so come prepared for the weather.

School programs and on-site supports for pregnant and parenting young women who live in the community. Nutritious lunch and snacks are provided daily.
The Hamilton Wentworth District School Board provides and on-site classroom offering a range of grade 9-12 credits. Additional supports are available including prenatal, parenting, and life skills programs as well as counselling, and referral to other community and health care resources.

School programs serves pregnant and/or parenting young women and their infants. Program consists of 3 Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board teachers and a Program Liaison. Together they work toward ensuring our young moms achieve as many credits as possible, while continuing to build on their parenting skills, manage their finances, connect with community supports like Public Health, and more.The Infant Playtime Plus (IPP) serves infants 6 weeks to 24 months while mothers attend an on-site school program.

Provides community support and case management services to at-risk pregnant and parenting youth.
Services include:

• counselling
• prenatal education
• strollerfit and exercise programs
• community referrals

Provides furnished transitional housing apartments and support to young mothers with on-site programming and support staff. Offers supportive programs to those in the transitional housing.

Provides young mothers in the east end of Hamilton the opportunity to attend high school in an alternative education setting with on-site child care for their children.

Ongoing programs include: drop-in, development, mentoring, outreach, leadership development, and volunteer opportunities. Individualized supports and referrals for youth as needed in areas of mental health, sexual identity, education, job, family and more.

Offers young parents an opportunity to earn secondary school credits for learning and demonstrating effective parenting practices. The curriculum is developed to support hands-on, experiential based learning. The parents bring their infants to the classroom every day. The classroom is set up to meet the needs of the parent's learning and the infant's care.

Three-step program of care:
Step One (Ramoth House): cooperative living residence that provides a safe home environment with 24-hour support. Residents receive training in life skills such as parenting, home management, budgeting, cooking and building daily routines.

Step Two (Ramoth Apartments): furnished apartment units that assist young mothers to transition from a residential setting to their own apartment. Mentoring while learning how to build community networks of support.

Step Three (Ramoth Extended Care): Ramoth staff can meet with a young woman in her home community to hear concerns and provide encouragement during the transition to independence.

Meeting space for rent to charities and non-profits, community kitchen

Programs are offered by many agencies such as these (some will have separate listings with more information):
Regeneration Outreach serving meals seven days a week

Vita Centre for Pregnant and Parenting Youth -- providing community support to pregnant and parenting women

Grace Noon AA Meetings, AA Brampton United Group, Living In Recovery (Narcotics Anonymous), Steps To Grace (Cocaine Anonymous), Alanon Group

COVID19

• Teen Prenatal Supper Clubs cancelled until further notice
• call Peel Public Health or visit website for updates
• online prenatal classes available, email prenatalhealthmatters@peelregion.ca

Teen Prenatal Supper Clubs

• prenatal classes and supper
• topics include health during pregnancy, coping with labour and delivery, newborn care, cooking simple meals
• social support
• connection with public health nurses and other health professionals
• support person welcome

The Supper Club Classes are offered in locations throughout Mississauga and Brampton

Programs and services that support the health and development of children from prenatal to 6 years of age and their families

Young Parents Program - a program for adolescents, up to age 24, who are pregnant and/or parenting

• services offered - home, virtual or phone meeting; prenatal vitamins; grocery cards to support a healthy diet; meeting with our dietitian; prenatal information and support; new infant car seats; skills development in stress management, healthy relationship development and effective communication; smoking cessation counselling

Healthy Moms Eating Well for 2 - a prenatal nutrition program for women aged 25 years and older

• services offered - home, virtual or phone meeting; prenatal vitamins; grocery cards to support a healthy diet; meeting with our dietitian; information on prenatal nutrition, labour and delivery, post-partum health; infant feeding and care

School's Cool - a school readiness program offered in the summer to help children ages 3-5 prepare for junior and senior kindergarten

• there is a focus on well-being, social and self-help skills, language and math

Groups

• offer a variety of parent education and support groups throughout Haldimand and Norfolk such as Positive Discipline in Everyday Parenting

COVID19 Contact for details on in-person and virtual services

Support, counselling, health system navigation assistance, parent education, information and referral, and public awareness from a Catholic perspective

One-to-One Counselling
Emotional and practical support including prenatal and postnatal information and education, and strategies and resources for housing, income supports, education, and employment

Growing as Parents (GAP)
12 week parenting and life skills programs, including Nobody's Perfect and Me, My Baby, Our World

• child minding, snacks and bus tickets for participants
• free prenatal vitamins in partnership with Vitamin Angels

Super Connection
12 week parenting and life skills program for young parents

• food literacy and food insecurity
• access to fresh food, shared meal, and health and nutrition education
• interactive cooking

Care Closet
Diapers, wipes, formula, baby food, gently used baby clothes and related items

• dependent on donations
• open to registered clients only

Parenting and Catholic Education (PACE)
High school program for pregnant and parenting students in partnership with St Oscar Romero Catholic Secondary School

Satellite offices in Brampton and Caledon, by appointment only

Pregnancy and Family Resource Centre

Services offered:

• free self-administered pregnancy tests and options information
• pre and post-natal education and support services for families experiencing pregnancy and or parenting issues and related concerns such as poverty, addictions, mental health issues and more
• parenting education for individuals or group classes
• Growing Together Moms' peer support groups
• relationship counselling
• post-abortion recovery
• see website for a complete list of services and programs

Nonprofit, charitable organization, and public education group * promoting respect for life from the moment of conception to the end of natural life through education, service and prayer

Referrals for:

• crisis pregnancy
• counselling
• shelter
• legal/financial help
• adoption and post-abortion support

Educational aids include:

• videos & DVDs
• tapes & CDs
• books
• pamphlets, brochures
• displays, models
• truth booth

Public Speakers available upon request, or the organization will sponsor a professional speaker. Newsletter available

Provides financial benefits through Ontario Works, as well as employment and social supports to people living in Toronto

Financial Assistance -- monthly allowance based on family size, housing costs and income

• provides money for food, shelter, and other household costs
• coverage for prescription medications under the Ontario Drug Benefit Program
• help with health costs and employment related expenses
• visit www.toronto.ca/ontarioworks for list of benefits

Health Support --includes medical supplies, sensory and mobility aids, medical transportation

• discretionary benefits may include dentures, emergency dental services, eyeglasses, prosthetic devices, funerals and burials
• some benefits may be available to only those receiving social assistance, visit website for more information

Employment Assistance -- programs, services, and benefits for those seeking employment such as benefits for employment-related or training costs, costs related to starting a job

• Employment centres - walk-in job search centres
• Training Programs - programs to assist clients prepare for employment, self-employment or career advancement
• Employer Hotline 416-397-JOBS (5627) --for employers to post jobs
• clients 18-65 years must participate in employment assistance activities unless they are living with a serious disability or illness, or caring for preschool children

Child and Family Support - benefits include newborn child allowance, child care start-up costs

• Learning, Earning and Parenting (LEAP) -- helps young parents 16-25 finish high school, improve parenting skills, locate and maintain employment
• help in pursuing child or spousal support

Housing Stabilization Fund --help with rent and energy arrears, rent deposit, moving costs and essential furniture

Social Supports -- referral to community and government services including child care, housing, addiction supports, health and mental health services, food banks, legal services, supports for youth, seniors and persons with disabilities

Client Services and Information Unit 416-338-8888, option 3, then option 5 --information on Ontario Works, including legislation and procedures

Interactive Voice Response (IVR) 1-800-808-2268, Mon-Fri 8 am-9 pm, Sat-Sun noon-5 pm
automated information, payment details, file status, service not available to TTY users

MyBenefits -- online service available to residents receiving Ontario Works to access information via smartphone, tablet or computerWelfare Fraud Hotline 416-392-8980

Service and Benefit Finder -- personalized list of benefits for child care, employment, housing and living expenses

Welfare Fraud Hotline 416-392-8980 -- to report allegations of fraudulent collection of Ontario Works assistance

STEP is a FREE 6 week prenatal class for expectant moms and dads (or other support person). It focuses on:

• Prenatal Health Care
• Baby Development
• Breast Feeding/Formula
• Bathing/Diapering/Nutrition
• Bonding/Attachment/Postpartum
• Budgeting
• Household Management
• Caring for yourself
• Infant/Toddler Safety Issues