Report No. 038-12

TO: Chair and Members of the Board of Health
FROM: Graham L. Pollett, MD, FRCPC, Medical Officer of Health
DATE: 2012 March 22

Smart Start for Babies: Two Year Funding Renewal

Recommendation

It is recommended that the Board of Health approve the Canada Prenatal Nutrition Program Amending Agreement attached as Appendix A to Report No. 038-12.

Background

Smart Start for Babies (SSB) is a Canada Prenatal Nutrition Program (CPNP) designed for women at risk of poor birth outcomes due to factors such as lifestyle choices, woman abuse and teen pregnancies.  Since inception of Smart Start for Babies sixteen years ago, SSB has provided pregnant women with healthy life style teaching, support and an opportunity to be socially connected.  The program facilitates skill building by teaching food preparation, nutrition counseling and budgeting for food security.  Education about healthy living is further supported with strategies such as free prenatal vitamins, food gift certificates and the provision of kitchen supplies. 

SSB receives significant in-kind personnel support from many agencies including:  London Health Sciences Centre; Merrymount Family Support & Crisis Centre and the Middlesex-London Health Unit.  The Health Unit is the local program sponsor. The program addresses a number of the requirements of the Reproductive Health and Child Health Ontario Public Health Standards. Board members will recall that Board of Health Report No. 011-12 was presented at the January 19^th Board meeting which provided details on the SSB program components.  

Funding Extension for the Next Two Years

The Public Health Agency of Canada has just completed a review and assessment of the Health Unit’s application for a 2 year funding extension. Pending Board of Health approval, it has awarded the Health Unit $152,430 for each of the 2012 and 2013 fiscal years.  The 2010 funding agreement is attached as Appendix B. The amending agreement to incorporate the funding extension is attached as Appendix A.

The Agency review noted concerns regarding client participation numbers. To address this, significant changes have been made to the financial and personnel infrastructure for the program with financial resources being reallocated for program operations.  As outlined in the previous Board Report, steps are being implemented with partner service agencies to establish and/or strengthen working relationships and formal agreements for personnel and services that are more integrated in the community. 

In the next two years, the work plan for the program outlines significant steps to increase the number of clients participating in the SSB program.  Partnerships are being strengthened to enable SSB to be offered by community agencies already caring for these clients.  As well, outreach strategies will unfold over the next year that will increase the reach of promotional materials, welcome and engage potential clients, strive to better meet their specific needs, provide sessions that are interactive and encourage social connectivity through fostering a community that is supportive and provides a sense of belonging. 

Conclusion

Smart Start for Babies has a long history in London and Middlesex County.  The Public Health Agency of Canada has reviewed and approved the Health Unit’s application for extension of the Smart Start for Babies: Prenatal Advantage Program.  Pending Board of Health approval, the Public Health Agency of Canada is prepared to provide $152,430 of funding for the next 2 years commencing April 1, 2012.

This report was prepared by Ms. Nancy Summers, Manager, Family Health Services, and Ms. Diane Bewick, Director, Family Health Services.

Graham L. Pollett, MD, FRCPC

Medical Officer of Health

This report addresses the following requirement(s) of the Mandatory Health Programs and Services Guidelines:  Reproductive Health Program, to support healthy pregnancies and the Public Health Agency of Canada requirements as outlined in the guideline for a Canada Prenatal Nutrition Program.