Project
Healthier Babies – Brighter Futures (HBBF)
Principal Investigator(s): Corrine Swenson, Family Programs Coordinator, email: swensonc@cnc.bc.ca
Funder: BC’s Ministry of Children & Family Development
Start/End Date: 1998 to date
Location: Burns Lake area, BC
Brief Description: Healthier Babies – Brighter Futures (HBBF): HBBF is a BC Building Blocks program focused on community FASD prevention and is the only one of its kind in Canada. The program is designed to meet the needs of families with FASD. A trained team of family support workers (FSW's) provide outreach to pregnant women at risk of alcohol and substance use, many who have FASD characteristics and behaviours.
Due to the dedication and creativity of the FSW's and the leadership of the Project Planner, this program has received both provincial and national recognition. In addition to direct support work HBBF provides FASD training and education for health, social service, justice and education agencies as well as business, industry and community groups.
A snapshot of the client profile in March of 2006 revealed that many of the clients had significantly reduced their alcohol or drug use since intake; 82% maintained custody of their children; 73% of clients who had delivered babies were on reliable birth control for the first time in their lives.
This program provides:
- Intensive support & advocacy for women at risk of alcohol and drug use
- Information & resource centre
- Education, Training & Awareness
- Policy Development
Family Support Workers have a number of families they work with on a daily basis. FSW's support and educate families, most of whom are living with FASD. Healthier Babies - Brighter Futures Family Support Workers have undertaken extensive education and training and take a strength-based approach towards:
- limiting substance use (especially alcohol) during pregnancy
- good nutrition
- advocacy for affordable housing, access to services and programs
- healthy lifestyle
- parenting skills
- emotional support
- prenatal care
- family planning
Time Frame: ongoing
Type of Project: implementation
Population Served: rural and remote
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