Manitoba Families Minister Heather Stephanson said that a $400,000 investment to double the capacity of the Mothering Project at Mount Carmel Clinic is part of the commitment to end the use of birth alerts on June 30, 2020.
Birth alerts are notices sent from social services agencies to hospitals that flag the “high risk” history of a mother. These alerts have in the past resulted in newborns being apprehended by Child and Family Services in hospital.
“The practice of birth alerts will officially stop by the end of this month,” said Stephanson.
The Mothering Project (Manito Ikwe Kagiikwe) helps to connect vulnerable mothers with services and programs to support health and wellness for themselves and their children.
According to the minister this investment will help replace the use of birth alerts with preventative and community-based supports for families.
In May of 2020 four birth alerts were issued compared to May 2109 where nearly 10 times more were issued at 38.
“The Mothering Project helps keep families together by supporting vulnerable mothers when they need help,” said Stefanson. “This new funding will ensure more families can stay together safely with the help of community-based supports they know and trust.”
© News4.ca 2020
