Our Kids Count

Our Kids Count is an innovative, community based, early childhood intervention project aimed at fostering the health and development of young children. Only a limited number of the following programs are offered at each site. Please call to see which programs are running at your site during the Fall, Winter, or Spring sessions. *Free Child Care is provided while parent is participating in OKC programs. Community Kitchens Share in shopping and cooking with three or four other parents and take home meals for your family for as little as .34¢ a serving. Drop In Get together with other parents and their children to share in a time of play and creative activities offered by Early Childhood Educators. Parents are responsible for their own children. Planning Team Meet regularly, throughout the year, with neighbours to plan activities for families in your community and support programs offered by Our Kids Count. Parenting Support Groups Program is led by trained group leaders. Learn more about such things as: your child’s development; positive discipline; building your child’s self-esteem and taking time for yourself. Life Skills Life skills are tips for working through each day’s challenges with a smile on your face. As a support group parents will have a chance to practice new skills in a comfortable, safe environment. Young Parents Program This program provides an opportunity for pre-natal and post-natal young parents who are usually under the age of 25 to get together and share ideas and learn new skills. They are supported by the Young Parents Program Coordinator. Pre/postnatal Support A nurse and Lamaze instructor is available to pregnant or new moms needing information and support on prenatal care, labour, birth, care of the newborn and breastfeeding. You can arrange to meet her at one of our sites or main office. Individual home visits can also be arranged. Call Terrie at 623-0292 Ext#222 or email: terrie@ourkidscount.ca Home Visiting Program Are you feeling isolated? Would you like to know what resources are available for you here in Thunder Bay? We can match you up with a resource mom to provide one-on-one support in your home. This program runs year round. Family Counselor A family counselor is available to provide free, community based, short term counseling to individuals and families. Free childcare provided during appointments. Please call 623-0292 ext.233 for an appointment. Nutritional Snacks are provided at all programs. Participants attending a prenatal program will receive a food certificate with which they can purchase such items as bread, fruit and vegetables Our Kids Count is an innovative, community development project dedicated to supporting and empowering individuals, families and young children by offering and administering community based programs and incentives that fosters inclusiveness and stronger families which leads to a stronger community. Our Kids Count works to decrease the incidence of developmental problems, serious emotional disturbance, nutrition and food security issues for those that needs help the most in our community.