What
is the Parkdale Parents’ Primary Prevention Project?
The Parkdale
Parents’ Primary Prevention Project (PPPPP) was conceived in 1991,
as a pilot project to work towards reaching and providing for the
distinct needs of multi-stressed pregnant women and families with
young children living in the community of Parkdale. Together in
partnership, St. Joseph’s Women’s Health Centre, The Toronto Department
of Public Health, Creating Together Parent-Child Resource Centre,
The Daily Bread Food Bank and Parkdale Focus Mom’s Support
Program developed comprehensive health and social support programs
recognizing the distinct community and individual needs within the
context of their cultural, linguistic and racial diversities.
The program’s
goal is to increase participants’ access to resources,
including peers and a multi-disciplinary support team. The design
and implementation of comprehensive services address the broad determinants
of health for both children and their families. These programs include,
Prenatal Nutrition and Support Drop-in, Mother-Baby Drop-in, Parent
Relief, Parent Education Workshops and Information Sessions, Child
Stimulation and School Readiness Programs, Community Development
Activities and Short-term Child Care so that parents can access
individual counselling, health care and social support services.
Working from
an ecological perspective, the programs create an environment where
pregnant women and new parents receive social and emotional support,
together with practical information and educational opportunities
in order to make and access healthier lifestyle choices and conditions.
Together we address the larger scope of what affects a family’s
healthy functioning. Flexibility is most essential, as most program
participants report that they are struggling with multiple stressors
in their lives. Staff begin where the parents and families are at,
respond to the concerns that they identify and work together to
address the interconnectedness of the issues facing the participant.
For women who
have historically had barriers to accessing traditional services,
ongoing access to a multi-disciplinary team of professional staff
and volunteers ensures continuity of service, as well as referrals
to appropriate health and social services, thereby helping them
avoid ‘falling through the cracks’. By facilitating and encouraging
mutual aid and support amongst participants, women have strengthened
their own networks and have begun to build a more mutually supportive
community.
It
is through on-going assessment, communication, and evaluation, that
the project continues to build upon community capacity. Reinforcing
the view that the programs belong to the community, the project’s
advisory panel composed of program participants, program and partner
agency staff act as facilitators in maintaining a strong grass-roots
commitment. The community must know that participant views and opinions
are valued and acted upon. We have learned that this process takes
time and requires a commitment from all those involved, working
side-by-side and valuing the knowledge and experience each brings
to the success of the project.
For more
information, please contact:
Parkdale Parents’
Primary Prevention Project
St. Joseph’s Women’s Health Centre
30 The Queensway
Toronto, ON M6R 1B5
T: (416) 530-6318
F: (416) 530-6629
email: [email protected]
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