Clinical Webcast on Breaking the Cycle Program: September 20, 2011

Program addresses the needs of pregnant and parenting women with substance use problems and their young children

Children’s Mental Health Ontario is hosting a webcast on Tuesday, September 20, 2011 (10:30 AM – 12:00 PM EST) on Toronto’s Breaking the Cycle (BTC) program.

In 2004, ‘Breaking the Cycle’ was recognized by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime as an exemplary program serving pregnant and parenting women with substance use problems and their young children. The webcast will provide  an overview of the program, a description of the client population served, and illustrate the ‘real world’ application of the model (e.g., interventions and approaches used). Evaluation outcomes will also be highlighted.

BTC clients receive services in a single access setting in downtown Toronto with home visitation and street outreach components. The program works with mothers prenatally and until their children reach the age of 6. Families receive integrated addictions counselling, health/medical services, parenting support, development screening and assessment, early childhood interventions, child care, access to FASD Diagnostic Clinic, and basic needs support (e.g., meals support, transportation).

The program is funded through the Public Health Agency of Canada’s Community Action Program for Children (CAPC) and Canada Prenatal Nutrition Program (CPNP) and operates through the efforts of eight partner agencies.

BTC has published three evaluation reports and over 30 published papers, book chapters and articles. Many of these can be viewed on the Mothercraft publications page. You’ll also likely find other resources of interest there on working with women around alcohol abuse.

For more information about the webcast and registration details, visit the Children’s Mental Health Ontario web site.