Kids Count Program
About
The Kids Count Program, operating since March 1999, is an early intervention, home visiting program based on the Healthy Families America Model. It is a voluntary program that works with overburdened families who are parenting for the first time. This program is designed to promote positive parent-child interaction, healthy childhood growth and development, and strong, healthy families. In partnership with other community services, this program strives to offer holistic support based on the unique strengths and needs of individual families. Service is provided to parents who are expecting or with a baby of up to 3 months of age. Referrals are made directly to the Kids Count Program and can be made by Public Health Nurses (PHNs) or other community professionals. Families can self-refer.
Program Description
Kids Count is a voluntary, family-centered, home visiting program. Service can begin in early pregnancy and may continue for up to 5 years. Trained Family Outreach Workers (FOW) build trusting, caring relationships with participants while focusing on their unique strengths and needs.
Prenatally
Information, education and support are provided that focus on healthy pregnancy outcomes for mothers and their babies. This includes preparation for transition to parenthood including possible changes to school or work and planning future pregnancies.
Postnatally
The program expands to promote parent/child bonding and attachment, healthy infant/child growth and development, parenting self-efficacy and enhanced family functioning.
Throughout the program, participants are coached to deal with a multitude of life challenges to help them positively manage stress, create safe, nurturing environments for themselves and their children and plan for the future.
Participation in Kids Count is voluntary and no fees are charged for this service.
Eligibility Criteria
The Kids Count Program is for first-time parents who are either pregnant or parenting an infant less than 3 months of age at program entry. At the time of the referral, you must live in the Central Okanagan area.
Referrals are made directly to the Kids Count Program and can be made by Public Health Nurses (PHNs) or other community professionals. Families can self-refer.
Duration of Services & Service Capacity
The program runs Monday to Friday from 8:30 am – 4:30 pm. Your Family Outreach Worker will make every effort to be flexible and arrange home visits to accommodate your family’s schedule during these times. Most visits are about one to one and a half hours long but depend on family needs. The frequency of visits is based on Levels of Service which change over the duration of the program.
- 1Level One: Weekly visits
- 2Level Two: Every 2nd week
- 3Level Three: Once per month
- 4Level Four: Once every three months or by parent request.
Kids Count can begin during pregnancy and is intended to be a long term service which invites you to stay involved until your child reaches 3 to 5 years of age.
Service Process
Referral
Once the referral is received, our Program Supervisor will arrange a home visit to meet with you to discuss the program.
Program Expectations
We value healthy, caring relationships and want to develop these with Kids Count participants. We treat families with respect and courtesy and expect the same of parents. Your Family Outreach Worker will make every effort to schedule regular visits, be on time for visits and call you if they are going to be late or need to cancel. If you are ill or unable keep a visit for some reason, we ask that you let us know as soon as possible.
For more information, contact 250-763-8008 or kidscount@kcr.ca.
Contact the Public Health Nurse in your area
Kelowna – Phone: 250-469-7070
Rutland – Phone: 250-980-4825
West Kelowna – Phone: 250-980-5150
