Grant: Operating Grant: Population Health Intervention Research - Pathways

Our research will look at the effect of home visiting programs for First Nations families in Manitoba. Many First Nations families live in difficult conditions that put them at high risk for child abuse or neglect. Poor housing, poverty, and addictions are only a few of the risk factors that make it challenging for caregivers to meet their children's basic needs. Home visiting programs, which involve visits to families with young children in their homes by nurses or other trained professionals, can help to reduce the risk of child abuse or neglect. The home visitors give support to the families in several ways; they may help with family functioning, build parenting skills, or connect families to health care or community services. Manitoba has two home visiting programs: one is open to Manitobans who live off-reserve, and the other runs in First Nations communities. In our study, we will look at whether there is a relationship between participating in these programs and 1) child maltreatment; 2) child development at kindergarten; and/or 3) mental health and functioning of the parents. We will use the data at the Manitoba Centre for Health Policy, and link it to data collected by First Nations program leaders and planners. We have formed a diverse team of researchers and decision makers from First Nations communities and government sectors. These connections will help to make sure that the results we get from this study will be used in planning policy and programs to support the health and well-being of First Nations families.