TLC – Toddlers, Parents, Caregivers

TLC Parenting for Toddlers is a unique parenting group focused on supporting and encouraging parents of toddlers. Recent research from Invest in Kids, reported through The Calgary Children’s Initiative, identified that parents “get information primarily through family and friends”.  The demographics in Okotoks, today, indicate that many of the young families are from “away” and have no close family members immediately available to provide this information and support. Margaret Mead’s famous quote – “it takes a village to raise a child” is extremely applicable in Okotoks and TLC is an important part of the fabric of that village. TLC allows parents to learn new skills and share ideas with experts and with other parents. Evaluation of TLC in June 2007 showed that:

• 100% of the moms said that they agreed or strongly agreed that they had learned something new about their child by coming to TLC
• 100% of the moms either agreed or strongly agreed that they have learned who to go to for help with their child by coming to TLC
• 100% of the moms said they had shared something they learned at TLC with their parenting partner
• 75% said they had shared something they learned at TLC with a family member who supports them in their parenting role
• “TLC makes me feel like I am not alone as a parent, it helps me to be a better parent for Matthew”. – parent 2007 TLC

The TLC Toddler / parent group has been running at the Okotoks Health and Wellness Centre for over 3 years.  The program invites moms / dads and their toddlers to a group, once per week, for approximately two hours.  Each week a different parenting subject is explored with the parents in attendance – while the toddlers have supervised play and activities.  Very often the activity chosen for the toddlers helps to illustrate the parenting concepts being discussed.  The participants are also encouraged to interact and share with each other, with the intent of helping them to establish supportive networks within the community.  This is a very positive, health promotion program.

Spiritual Care

Spiritual Care is an integral part of health.  The Spiritual Care Program was formed in response to a need expressed by members of the community who understand that care of the spirit is just as important as care of the body.  This nondenominational program is provided within the communities of Black Diamond, Turner Valley, Longview and Okotoks.

The goals and objectives of this program are:

• To address the spiritual care issues of individuals with serious health concerns.
• To enhance relationships and continuity of spiritual care between resident care departments and clergy in the community.
• To encourage development of support systems for families and staff facing loss and grief.

The Spiritual Care Program offers services to:

• Long Term Care Residents
• Hospitalized Persons
• Community Care Clients
• Lodge Residents
• Staff & Their Families

George Clark is the Chaplain for Health Care facilities and community services within the Sheep River Health Trust area.

Books for Babies

Books for Babies program is based on a partnership between Literacy for Life Foundation and Public Health with partial funding provided by Sheep River Health Trust.

NEW BORNS

All parents with new babies that live in the MD of Foothills receive a volunteer sewn cloth bag which contains a board book, scholastic book, free six month family membership to library, information on reading to your baby and things to do and watch for in the baby’s growth. Public health nurses give out the bags at the first visit with the parents.  Health nurses provide information on child development plus the required information from the health perspective. The bag is a wonderful gift for the new parent.  The Public Health Nurse is able to introduce the parent to the importance of early literacy development and also the concepts of bonding, building healthy relationships and child development without overwhelming the parent.

18 MONTH PACKAGE

An envelope is given out to parents at the 18-month visit by the public health nurse which contains another scholastic book, a new library membership, and information on reading to your toddler and eye care.  It reinforces the concept of reading, rhymes, experience and play & their impact on healthy child development.

School Meal Program

For the past seven years, the Sheep River Health Trust has partnered with oil and gas companies, local schools and volunteers to provide nutritional food/snacks for children attending classes in Longview, Turner Valley, Black Diamond, Millarville and more recently in two schools in Okotoks.  This program is designed to address the concern that children do not go hungry in our community schools.  The difference this sustenance provides in a child’s daily life is immeasurable!  Focussed on developing a positive and conducive environment for learning, growth & development this program ensures that each child is adequately nourished and prepared to learn, and together, we have reached our goal.

A very special thank you to Legacy Oil + Gas for continuing to support the School Meal Program in 2010/2011.

W.H.E.N.- Seniors’ Wellness Program

“It is never too late to get fit” is the slogan for the W.H.E.N. program which stand for Wellness, Health, Energy & Nutrition.   W.H.E.N. was created by The Energy Shop in Black Diamond specifically for seniors and is funded by the Sheep River Health Trust.  This program includes various types of exercise four times a week and a monthly workshop on nutrition. Join the fun and get fit by calling The Energy Shop at 403-933-3549

Therapy Garden

The Therapy Garden came from the vision and dedication of the volunteer committee of Debbie, Ed and Gabriel Pickens, Donna Warnica, Virginia Yarjau, Suzanne Mils, Marg Holm and Gord Tuck.

The Therapy Garden was designed to provide greater quality of life for the long term care residents of the hospital and for the local community. With a multipurpose gazebo and pathways, companioned with trees, plants, shrubs and seasonal flowers, the area provides a medium for physiotherapy and a haven for local residents and visitors.

The Therapy garden is located on the north side of the Rising Sun long term care unit in Black Diamond.

The Therapy Garden project was supported by the Sheep River Health Trust through partially matching funds from the Community Initiatives Program. The garden does require ongoing donations which can be made (with tax receipting) through the Foundation. Volunteering time, plants and garden materials donations are also welcome and enquiries can be directed to our office at 403-995-5400.

Speakers’ Series

As a part of the Sheep River Health Trust’s commitment to educational outreach, a Speakers’ Series has been offered to front line professional and interested community members for the last two years.  These sessions consisted of a noon luncheon  followed by a guest speaker with the presentation topics including:

• Adverse Childhood Experiences & Their Relationship to Adult Health, Well Being, & Social Functioning – Dr. Vincent Felitti
• Brain Health & Aging – Dr. David Hogan

• One Mechanism: The Interface Between Human & Animal Health – Dr. Jay Cross
• Could Your House Be Making You Sick – Dr. Joyce Woods
• Alberta Rural Physicians Action Plan – Dr. Clayne Steed
• The Challenge of Pharmacolgic Research in Developmentally Disabled Children – Dr. Bob Haslam
• The South Health Campus – Dr. Ted Braun & Dr. Doug Myhres
• Depression – Dr. Glenda MacQueen
• Diabetes – Christelle Zacharki

We look forward to another series beginning in the near future.