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Public Health is making it easier for parents to connect with a Public Health Nurse (PHN) by expanding the Child Health CARELine to include a new texting line.
Hastings Prince Edward Public Health offers programs and services to support families with children between the ages of 0 to 6. One of these services is the Child Health CARELine, which connects parents or caregivers to local PHNs, who can provide information about infant feeding, breastfeeding, parenting, growth and development, and more. PHNs can also connect parents with other support programs and services. The Child Health CARELine is also open to professionals seeking information or wanting to make referrals to programs or services.
PHNs can now be contacted by phone, email or text through the Child Health CARELine. With the aim of reaching a greater portion of the community by offering alternative ways to connect with Public Health, the texting line can be used to ask child health related questions or to schedule or change appointments. All enquiries to the CARELine are answered between the hours of 8:30 am and 4:00 pm, Monday through Friday, excluding holidays. The Child Health CARELine can be reached:
By phone: 613-966-5500 or 1-800-267-2803, ext. 223
By text: 450-990-5551
“We really want young families and new parents to be comfortable reaching out for help and for everyone to be able to receive support from our PHNs” says Shelly Brown, Healthy Families Program Manager. “Sometimes people may not be available to talk on the phone, or may be more comfortable communicating by text or email. Having a texting line that is free* and confidential will help improve access to support available through Public Health.”
*Disclaimer: Your cell phone carrier may charge for text messages if your plan does not include them. Please consult your carrier to confirm your plan coverage.