Searching for Pregnancy / Postnatal

COVID19 - open for porch pick-up of diapers, formula, baby food, and wipes * call office

Christian ministry staffed by trained volunteers that provides support to individuals and families affected by pregnancy

• services are confidential
• free pregnancy testing
• alternatives to abortion
• practical assistance to mothers whenever possible which can include food, clothing, furniture, and other infant supplies
• support and educate people regarding issues of sexual conduct, pregnancy, parenting and other life skills

Ajax Office
38 Hunt St,
Ajax, ON
L1S 3M2
905-619-9878
phcajax@durham.net

Immediate 24-hour telephone assistance

• Christian ministry staffed by trained volunteers that provides support to individuals and families affected by pregnancy
• confidential

Fully accredited acute care hospital

• emergency services
• supported by family practitioners, dentists and specialists
• internal/family medicine
• general surgical
• cardiology, pathology, radiology
• anaesthesia, urology, gynaecology
• orthopaedics, plastics, ophthalmology, dentistry
• active volunteer group
• lay pastoral visitors, chaplain and spiritual services program

Registered Nurses (RN) and Registered Practical Nurses (RPN) provide nursing care in the community * wound management, post surgical care * care of technologically dependent infants, IV therapy, ventilator management * total parenteral nutrition, enteral nutrition, peritoneal dialysis * foot care, pain management, palliative care, medication management * continuous 5-FU infusions, urological nursing

Support programs for young parents

• layettes for new mothers and babies
• public education and speaking engagements

Individual Counselling for Young Parents

• supportive counselling for young mothers and fathers
• attachment-focused framework, counsellors support young parents to build on strengths and reduce their risks ensuring optimal outcomes for their children and healthy families
• advocacy and referral supports also available

Prenatal classes

• in cooperation with Durham Public Health Department

Teen Mom School Program

• in collaboration with Durham Catholic District School Board
• core academic courses in a child friendly environment
• support with re-entry into mainstream education system

Parenting Groups

• attachment focus which promotes positive infant mental health
• specific to individual needs and challenges of young families

Summer program

• for parents and children with field trips in the community and special events
• Christmas Party, Mother's Day event
• special workshops and seminars scheduled as needeed

Satellite location
North Durham and Ajax/Pickering Outreach
By appointment
905-914-3900

Childbirth and prenatal education classes, doula support, postpartum support, refresher classes, breastfeeding education * assists, educates and empowers each childbearing family to embrace childbirth and parenting with confidence

Nursing services for prenatal clients up to 28 days postpartum including:

• prenatal education
• breastfeeding
• postpartum care
• newborn care
• psychotherapy and counselling
• health education
• vaccination
• offered virtually and in person

Parenting support groups throughout the region for families

Breastfeeding Groups

• weekly drop in groups, mother to mother breastfeeding support, with public health nurse(s) available

S.M.I.L.E. (Supporting Mother and Infant Learning Experience)

• free prenatal classes for young expectant parents under 23 years of age

Perinatal Mood Disorder Support Group (PMD)

• peer support group intended for pregnant women who are experiencing a mood disorder and new mothers who are having difficulty with postpartum adjustment and are experiencing symptoms of PMD
• group is facilitated by a Public Health Nurse

Individual Parent Support - Durham Health Connection is a telephone help line staffed by public health nurses who provide information and counselling on

• health
• parenting issues
• information on community resources
• family health
• pregnancy, prenatal care
• breastfeeding support
• infant and child development
• parenting questions

Home Visiting

• may be offered to families needing support as part of the Healthy Babies Healthy Children Program
• call the Durham Health Connection Line for details

Assistance for those that are in financial need

Financial Assistance

• monthly allowance based on family size, housing costs and income
• monthly drug benefit card
• income tax clinic

Other services include:

Mandatory and Discretionary Benefits

• may include dentures, emergency dental services
• eyeglasses
• special diet allowance
• health care supplies
• medical transportation funds
• prosthetic devices
• funerals and burials
• programs may vary by City or Municipality

Community Participation

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

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

Employment Resource Centre

• walk-in job search centre
• access to computers, Internet, fax, photocopier, telephone
• resource materials
• job banks
• labour market information
• assistance with resumes
• referrals to job counselling and training

Employment Start-Up Benefit

• covers costs related to starting a job or work placement
• families with children -- newborn child allowance, child care start-up costs, basic dental care for children

Learning, Earning and Parenting (LEAP)

• help young parents finish high school, improve parenting skills, locate and maintain employment

Click here for Employment Supports

Additional services:

Interactive Voice Response (IVR) 1-800-808-2268

• available Mon-Fri 8 am-9 pm and Sat, Sun noon-5 pm
• automated information and payment details, payment history, file status
• information and announcements about Ontario Works
• service not available to TTY users

Welfare Fraud Hotline 1-800-394-7867

• to report allegations of fraudulent collection of Ontario Works and Ontario Disability Support Program assistance

Satellite Locations for Existing Clients

Ajax Office
140 Commercial Ave,
Ajax, ON L1S 2H5
Phone 905-428-7400

Oshawa Office
C1A-200 John St,
Oshawa, ON L1J 2B4
Phone 905-436-6747

Oshawa Office (Employment Counselling)
200 John Street West, Upper Level
Oshawa, ON L1J 2B4
Phone 905-432-2929

Uxbridge Office
2 Campbell Drive, Suite 305
Uxbridge, ON L9P 1H6
Phone: 905-852-4566

COVID19 - Virtual classes

Prenatal classes * childbirth, baby care, and breastfeeding classes * birth process, comfort measures, breathing and relaxation techniques, unmedicated and medicated birth, pain relief, emergency cesarean section * partner's roles during childbirth * postpartum care, signs of postpartum depression * newborn care information, infant feeding and safety * group and private classes available on weekends * postpartum doula service * Registered Nurse private consultation and parenting support

Counselling, consultation or referrals on self esteem, depression anxiety, eating disorders * marital issues, sex therapy, communication * divorce recovery, anger management, loss and grief issues * pregnancy and parenting, postpartum depression * stress and time management * mental health issues * sexual, verbal and physical abuse * home visits * mediation services for couples

Services to expectant families, including labour support (doula) services and sale and rental of birthing pools * individual physical, emotional, and informational support to an expectant family throughout the birth process * doula services include prenatal visits to discuss options and prepare a birth plan, attendance during the labour and birth, ongoing postpartum and breastfeeding support

Canadian distributor of Birth Pool in a Box, portable pool designed for water labour and waterbirth

Full-service community hospital, including

• emergency care
• cardiac care
• critical care
• diabetes education, see separate entry
• diagnostic imaging; laboratory services
• inpatient and outpatient surgery
• inpatient mental health
• outpatient mental health services. see separate entry
• women's and children's health

Provide girls with knowledge, skills and confidence to become healthy, educated and independent adults

• curriculum developed specifically to meet the needs of girls
• programs are delivered by professionally trained facilitators, with measurable objectives and outcomes
• programs delivered through weekly workshops, summer camps, PA Day programs, March Break camps, after-school drop-in programs and in-school classes

Midwifery practice * prenatal and birth care up to six weeks postpartum * home visits to clients during the postpartum period * midwives attend home births and have privileges at Lakeridge Health Oshawa and Northumberland Hills Hospital

Midwifery practice * complete pre-natal and birth care * up to six weeks post-partum care

Provides a full range of primary-care and some secondary-care services

• medicine, emergency, surgery
• in-patient palliative care
• New Life Centre (Maternal/Child Program)
• outpatient clinics
• diagnostic imaging

For diabetes education, see separate listing

COVID19 -- Call or visit hospital website for entryway restrictions, current visitor policies and appointment cancellations


Acute care hospital

• cancer care including prostate cancer diagnosis clinic and pediatric oncology
• cardiac care
• diabetes education centre
• maternal and newborn care
• mental health including adult inpatient services
• outpatient palliative care
• pediatrics
• rehabilitation and complex continuing care

Breastfeeding Clinic: breastfeeding support available for as long as needed; call for an appointment at 416-284-8131 ext 4530

Adult Mental Health Outpatient Services

• Psychiatric Day Hospital, 416-284-8131 ext. 7319 - 3 week alternative to inpatient admission or transition back to community after inpatient stay. Includes support and education regarding mental health issues
• Psychiatric Day Treatment, 416-281-7318 - longer program that helps patients develop specific skills for coping with depression and anxiety
• psychiatric disorder counselling, medication management

Geriatric Assessment and Intervention Network (GAIN) Clinic, 416-281-7446 -- Comprehensive assessment and interventions for frail seniors

Sexual health clinic * health professionals test for and treat sexually transmitted infections * family planning services

• birth control counseling
• low-cost or free birth control
• pregnancy testing and counseling

Short term emergency shelter includes case management and referrals to community agencies, assistance in finding housing, and workshops about housing readiness, life skills and employment

• children, youth and adult programs
• Housing Connections (see separate entry) Community Partner, assistance with housing search and application process

Pregnancy Support Program
For at-risk couples, admitted at 6 months of pregnancy

• prenatal supports
• counselling

Pregnancy support

• crisis pregnancy support
• pregnancy tests
• resources for pregnancy and childbirth
• prenatal classes
• perinatal loss support
• adoption support
• diapers, gently used maternity clothes, baby clothes and gear
• free prenatal vitamins (Food 4 Thought), $15.00 worth of healthy food per week (Food 4 Thought)
• transportation support and accompaniment to appointments
• home and community visits

Family Support

• weekly parenting support program
• community kitchen
• parenting sessions and resources
• mentoring, support groups
• donations closet, children's clothing and gear
• fall retreat
• connection and networking opportunities
• nutrition and parenting support
• high school credit completion, upgrades
• child care
• transportation support and accompaniment
• home and community visits

Community based supports for children, youth and families

Babies Best Start / Healthy Babies Healthy Children
Home visiting program for parents of children birth-3 years, includes support in areas such as pregnancy, breastfeeding, healthy attachment, healthy eating, safety, child development, positive parenting, parent health and well-being and community resources; home visitors represent a variety of cultures and languages

Community Support
Culturally sensitive early intervention mental health services for children birth-12 years and their families, in various locations such as schools, community agencies, shelters, and EarlyOn programs; areas of service include parenting education and groups, children's groups, brief counselling, anti-bullying and social skills

Gender Based Violence Program
Supports for youth and young adults 12-29 years, who are at risk of or have been involved in human trafficking or sex trade, including trauma therapy, case management and service navigation, peer support, support group, and community outreach and education; contact GBVinfo@stridestoronto.ca or 416-438-3697 ext 13265

Growing Healthy Together Prenatal Program
Information and support for pregnant women with risk factors linked to low birth weight

Youth Outreach Worker Program
Assists at-risk youth 12-21 years and their families in East Toronto connect with mental health and other community services; includes individualized programming and support to overcome language and cultural barriers; also intensive intervention in areas such as mental health, addictions, trauma, relationship or family violence and/or human and sex trafficking

See separate listings for residential treatment programs (intake through CARS, 416-482-7884), and Preschool Speech and Language Program (intake through Surrey Place)

Programs and services may be provided in various locations

Provide emotional and physical support for women and their families during pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum

• Maintain a listing of Doulas in communities across Ontario
• Members of Association of Ontario Doulas (AOD) abide by a Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice

Program covers eligible people looking to conceive or expand their families * fertility program offers artificial insemination (including intra-uterine insemination), one cycle of in-vitro fertilization, and one cycle of fertility preservation for medical reasons (such as patients undergoing a medical treatment which could lead to infertility)

Potential patients are encouraged to speak with their health care provider to determine if the program is the best option for them * potential patients can also contact the fertility clinics who are offering publicly funded fertility treatments

Province-wide free anonymous counselling, information and referrals to sexual health clinics and community agencies on HIV/AIDS, sexually transmitted infections, birth control options, sexual orientation and gender issues