March 25, 2015
Story by Kerri Robins; Photo courtesy Sindy Blair
CALGARY — Helen Jeffers was thrilled when her daughter’s elementary teacher suggested she contact the Foothills Children’s Wellness Network for some family health care advice.
“I called Joyce (Kooistra) at the Network … and she’s been wonderful helping me connect with some services in my community,” says Jeffers, a High River resident and mother of a son and two daughters who range in age from three to 12.
“It’s really nice having someone help me not only understand all the information out there but put me in touch with the right people without having to sift through so much information.,” she adds.
Kooistra is the network navigator at the Foothills Children’s Wellness Network, a service that’s become the “go-to place” for area families.
“People call me when they aren’t sure where to find the information or supports they’re looking for,” says Kooistra, who not only helps families access services, but co-ordinates services when more than one is required.
“Parents are often surprised at the number and variety of services in our local area that support families with young children.”
Well aware of the importance of early childhood development, the Foothills Children’s Wellness Network was created as a hub to provide a starting point for community residents to access information and services.
“We know that the first five years of life are critical developmental years,” says Lise Brisebois-Blouin, Director of Central Rural Communities and Facilities in the Calgary Zone.
“To promote the importance of these first years in life, the network was created to bring together a collective of knowledge, expertise and established relationships to strengthen and guide parents as caregivers,” she says.
“We have over 40 different agencies in the network, including educational groups, health organizations and community partners — and they’re all equally important, with different expertise, in providing healthy information and supports to our families.”
Some of the agencies the network links to include the High River Parent Link Centre, the Okotoks Family Resource Centre and Wild Rose Community Connections.
Making it easy to access information and services is part of the network’s objective, so a navigator position was created to assist people in finding the right area for them.
“Having one number to call and get the information I need is really important because I didn’t feel like I had to rely on the Internet,” says Jeffers, who sought information on acquiring supports for a daughter’s learning disability and information on her son’s development.
In 2012, the Sheep River Health Trust committed $100,000 to be spent annually for three years to support the navigator role.
Trustee Harlene Day, past Chair of the Sheep River Health Trust, says funding for the network navigator position is key.
“The health trust supports the idea of comprehensive health services and that means promoting overall health and well-being throughout our local communities,” she says.
“I’m thrilled our foundation has been able to help the network in this small way.”
The Foothills Children’s Wellness Network can be reached at 403-995-2706. For more information, please visit sheepriverhealthtrust.ca or foothillsnetwork.ca
