Program for expectant mothers faces funding crunch

Alicia Boisson
South Peace News

The funding gap and the increase in cost of living is starting to take its toll on the Good Start Program sponsored by the High Prairie and Districts Children’s Resource Council. In over 12 years the amount of funding being supplied to the program by the Public Health Agency of Canada has not been reviewed, says Lindsay Davies, executive director of the Children’s Resource Council. Yet, the demand for the program increases and so does the cost of living. “The mission of the program is to provide pre-natal and post-natal nutrition as well as, family support services to ensure healthy birth outcomes and the healthy development of both mother and infant,” adds Davies. “Nutrition is paramount when it comes to a child’s development. You can read to them until you are blue in the face but if they do not have the proper nutrition it will affect their ability to develop.” The funding provided, currently, only allows Good Start to sponsor 10 mothers and children through the full stage of the program, says Davies. It costs $1,065 to cover one mother and child through the whole program with $600 of that going toward milk, $65 going toward prenatal vitamins, and $400 toward a monthly good food box. “It really depends on when they come into the program, sometimes it is two weeks before their due date and that usually calls for a crash course,” says Davies. The program has 20 members with an average of two new clients per week. The program is dedicated to mothers at risk, says Davies adding the risks include teen mothers, poverty, illness and family violence to name a few. “The Good Start Program works to provide pre-natal, post-natal parent education, life skills, group support networks, home visitation, child development services, nutrition counseling, family planning, information and nutritional supports,” says Davies. The council is asking for anyone in the community to help provide funding for the cause. Davies says those interested in sponsoring a mother and infant can cover whatever cost they want. One example of a donation is a three-month coverage plan for $172. If you are interested in helping to get a child “Off to a good start!” contact Davies or Cheri at 523-2715 or 523-6459.

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