Home Visiting Program for Infants
Who is Eligible?
The Home Visiting Program for Infants (HVPI) serves infants up to age 6 in Middlesex, Huron, Oxford, Elgin or Perth County who have a developmental disability or are at risk for delays in development. This may be due to factors such as birth complications, prematurity, vision or hearing impairment, seizure disorders, genetic syndromes or cerebral palsy.
We visit you and your child at home. We will support your family in dealing with the special needs of your child at home and in the community.
What Types of Service May Be Offered?
HVPI offers support in dealing with the special needs of your child at home and in the community by providing:
- Service co-ordination
- Regular home visits which include family support, and assessment, treatment, education, and consultation services for the child
- Centre-based groups for children and parents
- Loans of equipment and materials
Who are We?
HVPI uses a transdisciplinary model of service. One primary therapist develops and implements the service plan with the family. Team members from other disciplines act as consultants to support the primary therapist.
The primary therapist provides the following:
- Educating parents on issues pertaining to development
- Providing strategies to improve the child’s participation in everyday activities, like playing and feeding
- Enhancing parent-infant interactions through an understanding of the infants’ cues and development of appropriate play activities
- Promoting the development of gross motor, fine motor, communication, and social skills
- Problem-solving with parents on issues surrounding child temperament and behaviour
- Educating parents on treatment options
- Providing supportive counseling to parents and families
- Identifying resources and supports available in the community
- Assisting families with transitions to daycare, school, and services from other agencies
- Helping parents develop advocacy skills
- Services to families are supported by our skilled staff who have expertise relevant to child development, behaviour and early intervention.
Services from qualified and experienced staff include:
- Physiotherapy
- Occupational Therapy
- Speech-Language Pathology
- Social Work
- Psychology
- Behavioural Services
- Paediatric Medicine
- Nursing
Why is Early Intervention Important?
Research shows that early intervention can positively affect babies’ development. To learn more click here.
How Do I Access the Service?
For children up to two years of age:
Referrals come through Developmental Resources for Infants (DRI) for children up to two years of age. DRI is a combination of resources from four different organisations that work together to provide easy-to-access, family-centred services for children under the age of two years. The agencies include:
- HVPI – CPRI
- Thames Valley Children’s Centre
- Developmental Follow-up Clinic, Children's Hospital, London Health Sciences Centre
- Children’s Hospital of Western Ontario
To refer your child to DRI (Birth to 2 years old):
Call (519) 685-8710
For children ages 2 to 6 years old:
Referrals come through CPRI Intake
Call: (519) 858-2774 ex 2024
Referrals are accepted from any source including parents, physicians, psychologists, schools, or social service agencies.
Website Links
Ministry of Children and Youth Services http://www.children.gov.on.ca/htdocs/English/topics/earlychildhood/index.aspx
Licensed Child Care
http://www.ontario.ca/ONT/portal51/licensedchildcare
Nipissing District Developmental Screen
http://www.ndds.ca/index.php