Mission Statement

To promote family wellness, we endeavor to create and sustain relationships that are based on trust and the respect of individual and family values. We strive to encourage families to recognize and build on individual, family and community strengths. We acknowledge the significance of the parent-child relationship. We recognize that children, gifts from the Creator, must always be respected, loved and nurtured. Through this nurturance, Nuu-chah-nuylth-aht will have healthy children, thriving families and strong communities.

Goals

The goals of the Nuu-chah-nulth Infant Development Program are to work with the parents and caregivers and other family members with RESPECT and in a co-operative and sharing manner by:

• Supporting the primary observers of their children;

• Promote family strengths and interests;

• Helping to identify developmental needs their children may have;

• Empowering them by providing culturally sensitive information on child development;

• Foster independent thinking;

• Encouraging community growth towards awareness of child development and traditional childrearing practices.

What We Do: Infant Development Workers

• Make home visits, work with parents/caregivers of preschool children (those from infancy to 6 years);

• Address parents’ concerns about their children;

• Act as resource person and support person for parents;

• Inform families of health, educational and social services;

• Provide information on child development within a cultural context;

• Help families’ strengths and needs of their child;

• Do ages and stages questionnaire on their children;

• Help families to plan learning activities in the home and community to encourage the growth and development of their child.

Philosophy Statement

According to Nuu-chah-nulth belief, children were seen as gifts from the creator. Children were nurtured with respect, as individuals, and raised according to traditional values. One of the highest laws of the Nuu-chahnulth people was to protect the children. If you are interested in this service, please contact the Infant Development Worker in your area:

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Jackie Watts
Southern Region Office
jackie@nuuchahnulth.org
Sr. Infant & Early Development Program Worker & Family Ties Program Supervisor& Aboriginal Infant Development Programs of BC Regional Advisor for Vancouver Island

Lance Ambrose
Southern Region Office
lambrose@nuuchahnulth.org
P.O. Box 1383
Port Alberni, B.C. V9Y 7M2
Ph:(250) 724-5757
Toll free 1-877-677-1131
Fax:(250) 723-0463
Hupacasath, Tseshaht, Huu-ay-aht, Uchucklesaht

Jackie Corfield
Northern Region Office
jcorfield@nuuchahnulth.org
P.O. Box 428
100 Quwatin Road
Gold River, B.C. V0P 1G0
Ph:(250) 283-2012
Toll free 1-877-283-2012
Ehattesaht, Nuchatlaht, Ka:'yu:'k'th'/Che:k'tles7eth'h', Mowachaht/Muchalaht

Jennifer Touchie
Central Region Office
jtouchie@nuuchahnulth.org
P.O. Box 279
Tofino, B.C. V0R 2Z0
Ph: (250) 725-2396
Fax: (250) 725-2158
Ahousaht, Toquaht, Tla-o-qui-aht, Hesquiaht, Ucluelet

Contact your Nuuchahnulth Regional Infant Development Consultant/Worker to discuss parent group options.

This service is available to all Nuu-chah-nulth families with children under the age of six years.

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Family Ties
Healthy Babies Program

Family Ties is a Pregnancy Outreach Program of BC. We are committed to strengthening and supporting new families on the West Coast. Our program is funded by the Provincial and Federal Governments and is sponsored by Nuu-Chah-Nulth Community, Human Services and the Vancouver Island Health Authority.

Family Ties is a program that offers information and support to help you have the healthiest baby possible. Weekly drop-in sessions provide topics and guest speakers of interest to families with infants and young childern. Everything from nutrition to childbirth to adjusting to parenthood to infant massage. And we are open to your ideas, too!

A healthy baby begins with a healthy pregnancy. We can help families to achieve this goal by offering the following:

• Prenatal & birth information

• Nutrition & lifestyle counseling

• Food vouchers & vitamins

• Weekly drop-ins

• Parenting support

• Guest speakers

• Home visits

• Referrals

Tofino
Thursday's
11:30 - 1:00
Coastal Family Place
265 First Street
For further information
phone Laurie Hannah
at 725-2172

Ucluelet
Tuesday's
10:30 - 12:00
Davisons Plaza
#4-1620 Peninsula Road
For further information
phone Margaret Morrison
at 726-2224

Family Ties Healthy Babies Program
P.O. Box 1078
Tofino, BC
Phone: (250) 725-2172
Fax: (250) 725-2173

Chaundra Willms Coordinator 725-2172 726-2224 726-5120 T/U-VIHA P.O. Box 216 Ucluelet,B.C. VOR 3AO

Laurie Hannah Outreach Worker Laurie.Hannah@viha.ca 725-2172 P.O. Box 1078 Tofino, B.C. VOR 2Z0

Margaret Morrison Outreach Worker Margaret.Morrison@viha.ca 726-2224 P.O. Box 216 Ucluelet, B.C. VOR 3AO