Agencies provide parental support

There are a variety of services in Elgin County that provide temporary relief, advice or an avenue to share the trials and tribulations of parenting during the summer and all year-round.

Over 30 Elgin organizations are members of the Inter Agency Council for Children and Youth (ICCY), a group established to promote co-operation and co-ordination of services for children and youth throughout the county. The collaboration maximizes services for families, allowing agencies to make referrals or form partnerships to fulfill the needs of clients as a team.

As a result, parents can usually find the help they need by making one phone call. If the agency they contact can't help personnel will be able to direct them to an agency that can.

While not conclusive, the following list outlines some of the parental supports available in Elgin County.

Ontario Early Years Centre
7 Morrison Dr., St. Thomas, (519) 631-9496 www.ontarioearlyyears.ca

• A Drop-In Centre offers crafts and playrooms for children 0-6 years of age, plus a chance for parents to meet other parents and staff
• Support is available for families with children who have developmental challenges; includes respite programs for parents and resource consulting

Child and Family Counselling Centre
467 Sunset Dr., St. Thomas, (519) 637-2673, www.cfcc-elgin.com

• Offers individual, family and group counselling year round, guided by trained mental health workers
• All services are free

MCC Aylmer Resource Centre
16 Talbot St. E., Aylmer, (519) 765-3020

• parenting support provided in English and Low German languages
• Group sessions addressing parenting and a range of other topics run from October to April as part of the Centre's Family Education Support Program (FESPA). Care for preschoolers is concurrently provided by trained Early Childhood Education workers
• A number of educational videos in Low German are also available for loan throughout the year
• All services are free

Elgin St. Thomas Health Unit
99 Edward St., St. Thomas, (519) 631-9900, www.elginhealth.on.ca

• A Family Health Team offers prenatal classes, home visits for new babies and moms, and runs well baby clinics at the Family Enrichment Centre
• Parenting groups are provided as requested, and phone or home visits can be made to families with concerns ranging from health to relationships
• All services are free

The YWCA of St. Thomas
16 Mary St. W., St. Thomas, (519) 631-9800 www.stthomasymca.com

• offers 'New Beginnings,' a women's group addressing topics such as parenting, self-esteem, goal setting, returning to school or entering the workforce. Runs three mornings and one afternoon a week with a concurrent learning-based program for preschoolers and care provided for children infant age and older
• this program is free