News

Simcoe, ON. October 16th, 2018- Haldimand and Norfolk Health and Social Services (HNHSS) will be partnering with Haldimand-Norfolk REACH and the Mississaugas of the New Credit First Nation to deliver EarlyON Child and Family Centre programs and services across Haldimand and Norfolk counties. H-N REACH will be responsible for delivering EarlyON Child and Family Centre programming across both counties, while the Mississaugas of the New Credit First Nation will be responsible for delivering culturally responsive programming at the EarlyON Child and Family Centre located in Hagersville. Culturally responsive programming will be a part of all EarlyON services across Haldimand and Norfolk counties. EarlyON Child and Family Centres will be available to Haldimand and Norfolk children and families through full-time, part-time and pop-up locations.

EarlyON Child and Family Centres are funded by Ontario’s Ministry of Education and offer no-cost programs and services to parents/caregivers and their children from birth to six years of age. These centres welcome all families to participate in quality programs that are focused on
• engaging parents and caregivers
• supporting early learning and development
• making connections for families
The EarlyON Child and Family Centres are the result of the integration of four Ministry of Education funded early years programs. The programs were reorganized provincially to create consistency across all EarlyON Child and Family Centres in Ontario. In 2017, a needs assessment was undertaken to inform transition planning in Haldimand and Norfolk’s early years system. In January, 2018, HNHSS became responsible for delivering EarlyON Child and Family Centers and at that time entered into a temporary transition agreement with Haldimand – Norfolk REACH to temporarily maintain the current services and minimize disruption to families. Changes to the EarlyON Child and Family Centres are anticipated January 1, 2019 and will be communicated to families.

For more information about EarlyON in Haldimand and Norfolk, please visit:
http://hnss.org/childrens-services/earlyon-child-family-centres/

-30-

For questions regarding EarlyON Child and Family Centres, please contact:
Jeff Wilson
Program Manager, Children’s Services
Haldimand and Norfolk Health and Social Services
[email protected]
519-426-6170 Ext. 3774