Teen Parent Support Programming

Sharon Van Cleave Child Care and Royal West Early Learning Centre provide a variety of programs and supports for young parents and their children. Our two Parent Program Coordinators design and facilitate programs that will support the development of parenting skills and parent awareness of optimal child growth and development. Several group programs are offered. A Time out for Moms group is offered monthly which focuses on wellness, healthy choices and fun! A cooking club program is also offered. The program seeks to expose parents to different foods, develop cooking skills, and provide nutritional information in a positive, cooperative group setting. The centres have weekly noon groups that meet to discuss a variety of topics presented by guest speakers, while enjoying a tasty, nutritious lunch.

The Parent Program Coordinators also provide individual support to parents. Their goal is to provide support to parents in whatever way they can, so parents can be successful in school and life. She will accompany parents to doctors and counselling appointments, help them access and navigate the legal system, advocate on their behalf with the Department of Community Resource and Employment, help them obtain homework assistance, and accompany them to the food bank. A significant amount of time is spent helping parents obtain health care services for themselves and their child. She has helped parents evaluate and obtain birth control to avoid unwanted additional pregnancies. She has been an invaluable source of support as some of our parents have dealt with significant crises in a number of areas: family conflicts and evictions, addictions, domestic abuse, physical and sexual abuse.