OAKVILLE BEAVER Friday, September 4, 2009 · 12 Your Halton Connection Sept. `09 www.halton.ca Ensuring the Very Best for Our Children by Regional Chair Gary Carr Community Supports for Parents: Working Together for Thriving Kids reaching at a certain stage of development, and it also provides activities you can do with your child at that age to support their development. We currently mail out an 18-month NDDS to all Halton families with a child about to turn that age. However, there are 13 other NDDS' available for children one month to six years of age. Just call us and we'll be happy to send you one. Filling out the checklist can be an easy way to help you see how your child is doing and can even assist you in talking to your doctor about your child's development when you take him/her in for a checkup. If you have any questions about your child's development, want to request any stage of the NDDS, or want to learn more about the community services available to you, call Halton Region. A Public Health Nurse is available to talk with you directly Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Also, have a look below at some of the community groups and services available throughout Halton. Feel free to give us a call if you want more information on any of these agencies. Giving your child the very best start is important to us too. Is Your Child on Track? Even though my kids are grown now, I still remember the days when they were little, watching them change and grow so rapidly, just wanting the very best for them at every stage. With September upon us, and the focus shifting back to readying our children for school, all any parent wants is to see their children develop in the best way possible so they grow up healthy and capable. As a parent, you do whatever you can to ensure they get the support they need to succeed along the way. That's the great thing about living in Halton. We have many community supports you can start available to assist in your child's success and provide is by giving us you support when you have a call with any questions about how your questions about child is developing and most are free of charge. Although your child's services are available from birth development through to adolescence, there is an emphasis on the first six years of a child's life, because research shows that the skills children need to reach their full potential are formed and shaped in a child's first six years. Getting help early can give your child the best start possible and ensure they are ready for school when the time comes. Halton Region is committed to helping you and your family succeed by linking you with the kind of child supports you might need, and also by providing some additional tools that can help you determine how your child is doing. The first place you can start is by giving us a call with any questions about your child's development. Our qualified team in Health, and Social and Community Services can help you figure out how your child is progressing, make some suggestions for what you can do at home with your child, or help you determine if there is a need for additional support. We can even facilitate access to many specialized services in the community. Through Halton Region, parents can also receive a free, easy-to-use developmental checklist, called the Nipissing District Developmental Screen (NDDS). The NDDS is a simple list of developmental skills a child should be Don't Wait and See! Use the Nipissing District Developmental Screen (NDDS) to track your child's development. The 18-month screen is vital. Share the NDDS results with your doctor. Discuss areas of concern with your doctor. Advocate for your child. When your doctor and others who see your child regularly to get the help your child needs. September Meetings at Halton Region Headquarters Sept. 7 Sept. 8, 9:30 a.m. Sept. 9, 9:30 a.m. Sept. 9, 1:30 p.m. Sept. 16, 9:30 a.m. Sept. 29, 9:30 a.m. Sept. 30, 1:30 a.m. Sept. 30, 1:30 p.m. Offices closed for Labour Day Health & Social Services Cte Planning & Public Works Cte Administration & Finance Cte Regional Council Meeting Health & Social Services Cte Planning & Public Works Cte Administration & Finance Cte Community Supports for Child Development Halton Region: telephone support through Public Health 1-866-442-5866 or www.halton.ca Ontario Early Years Centres: a number of programs for families of young children. Visit www.ontarioearlyyears.ca for more information. Child care providers: know your child well and can answer your questions about growth and development. DEIPP clinics: provide quick consultation to parents who have questions about their child's progress or www.halton.ca Our Kids Network: for more information about services in the community. www.ourkidsnetwork.ca We welcome your feedback. Contact Access Halton at accesshalton@halton.ca Meetings can be viewed at www.halton.ca This page has been donated by this newspaper to communicate important information to Halton residents at no cost to taxpayers.