Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO) runs the most comprehensive newborn screening program in Canada. Newborn screening programs identify a range of disorders in infants. Early detection means that children can be treated sooner, which helps reduce the chance of serious health problems later in life. The CHEO lab features three tandem mass spectrometry machines to screen for inherited metabolic disorders (IMDs) and screening for blood and endocrine disorders. By the end of the year, CHEO will be screening for 27 rare genetic diseases. This presentation will provide information on the initiative and update delegates on the current status and future of newborn screening.

At the 2006 pre-conference showcase, staff presented on strategies for service providers in working with family physicians in the area of alcohol and tobacco use and woman abuse. At this follow-up session, lessons learned from a recent evaluation of the initiative will be presented.

Come to an intriguing presentation where Valerie Rhomberg, known for her anti-bias training of early childhood educators, will share how she sees the how links between the new brain research, diversity and anti-bias approaches contribute to democratic principles and practices in young children.

Come and receive copies of the Let’s Talk FASD Guidelines. The Guidelines are parent-driven and provide strategies for caring for children and adults with FASD. The development of the Guidelines was a comprehensive exercise. Come and learn how parents, community members, and others helped develop the Guidelines, which provide practical approaches for parents to use to promote the growth and development of a child (or young adult) with FASD and that enhance the quality of life.

The Thunder Bay District Health Unit was the first Community Health Service to be designated as Baby- Friendly in Ontario on June 9, 2006. Explore the steps, the barriers and the solutions in the journey to implement best practices in the promotion, support and protection of breastfeeding in a Community Health Service spread over a vast geographical area.

There are over 5,000 live births annually in the region of Waterloo. Grand River Hospital (Kitchener) and Cambridge Memorial Hospital (Cambridge) provide obstetrical services in the region. This session will showcase how a collaboration of the hospitals and the health unit have come together to offer expectant and new parents a seamless continuum of care.

Open Wide is a multi-year health promotion campaign of the Ontario Association of Public Health Dentistry (OAPHD) to improve the overall dental health of children in Ontario. An important aspect is to ensure that practitioners have the tools and skill they need to support parents and caregivers in looking after children’s teeth and to advocate the importance of oral health. The showcase will offer many useful resources, including a summary of government funded dental programs, fact sheets, newsletter inserts, and bookmarks.

Several programs are operated by the Algoma Health Unit that educate fathers about adjustment to parenthood. Come and hear about: ‘After the Birth Day’, a prenatal class just for dads led by a male facilitator; a session for mothers, fathers, family members and friends who lives are affected by Postpartum Mood Disorders; and have a look at the ‘Superior Dads’ booklet that provides information to new fathers on infant care.

The Ontario Early Years Centre, Niagara Falls, created these take-home kits for families in order to increase awareness and importance of healthy eating choices and the benefits of daily physical activity. This presentation will introduce the kits and their development and sample kits will be available for viewing.