Health and Community Services
June 17, 2015

The following statement was given today in the House of Assembly by the Honourable Steve Kent, Minister of Health and Community Services:

Minister Provides Update on Strongest Families Program

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise in this Honourable House to provide an update on the Strongest Families program. This past March, the Provincial Government announced a new partnership with the Strongest Families Institute to support the regional health authorities in providing children, youth and families with increased access to mental health services. The Strongest Families Institute is a not-for-profit corporation that teaches skills and provides guidance for families through a distance-coaching approach, over the phone and online.

The institute's programming supports children and youth with behavioural difficulties, anxiety, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, bullying, and other disruptive behaviours that can cause stress at school and at home with family.

Mr. Speaker, a key benefit of this new program is that it provides quicker access to services for families waitlisted in all regions across our province. These families will now be able to connect with help in the comfort and privacy of their homes. The program reduces barriers to care as there is no need to travel, no cost to the family for the program, and no lost time from work or school. The flexible and private aspects of the program make it an excellent solution for families who need it, and I am pleased to say that as of June 12, the Strongest Families Institute has begun contacting families waitlisted for services in the province.

The institute was awarded the Ernest C. Manning Foundation Encana Principal Award in 2013. The only service of its kind in Canada, the program is being delivered in Alberta, Ontario, Nova Scotia and by the Atlantic Military Family Resource Centre.

Mr. Speaker, we are very proud to be offering this unique new program here in Newfoundland and Labrador. The program represents a Provincial Government investment of $300,000 through our E-Mental Health and Addictions Awareness Program. We understand that many mental health issues begin in childhood and we are committed to ensuring children, youth and families in our province are supported.

No family should feel alone when they are trying to help a child deal with mental health concerns. That is why we have chosen to enter into this partnership with the Strongest Families Institute. Families in our province deserve the most accessible, effective care we can deliver and our partnership with the Strongest Families Institute represents our commitment to providing just that.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

2015 06 17                              2:25 p.m.