Family & Children’s Programs and Services
Now in its 17th year of operation our Family Resource Services demonstrates their continuing vitality by providing service and support to 2,700 parents, grandparents, caregivers and preschool children each year. Families can attend registered and open programs at seven different locations. Programs include prenatal nutrition, postnatal support, parent/child attachment, behaviour management, first aid and CPR, and early learning activities to enhance each child’s growth and development. Professional staff members are always on hand to recommend a parenting book or video, discuss child development concerns and make appropriate referrals.
Our dedicated staff members empower parents and caregivers with knowledge, skills and techniques to enhance each child's development. Parents/caregivers value our non-judgemental environment where they can learn how to a) maximize their child's social and educational opportunities, b) identify issues that may impede childhood development and c) obtain referrals to other community supports to help ensure a promising future for their children. Our programming hosted at our six sites include: Mother Goose, Triple P Positive Parenting Program, Family Time, First Time Moms, All Babies Count, Pathways Explorers, Learning with Joy, Wiggles and Giggles, The Wonder Years and Jump and Jiggle.
Pathways’ staff members took leading roles on the Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) Coalition of York Region supporting the formation of a parent support group in 2006 and the development of a region-wide conference in 2007.
Our commitment to building and strengthening partnerships is exemplified in our strong, ongoing partnerships with Markham Public Libraries, York Region District School Board, St. James Presbyterian Church and the Town of Markham to provide parent/child programs in three libraries, one school, one church and one community centre in addition to our stand-alone site. These partnerships are a win-win for the agencies, and families benefit from having librarians, principals, teachers and early childhood educators all working together for them. We also have partnerships with Family Day Care Services and the YMCA, the lead agencies for the Ontario Early Years Centres in the Markham and Oak Ridges ridings, in order to provide coordinated services to families with young children.
