A new program in the KFL&A region is helping families spot and address mental health concerns in young children sooner.
The Infant and Early Mental Health Care Pathway connects families with local services and screening tools to support child development during the critical early years. The program is part of a provincewide initiative led by SickKids in Toronto and is now being rolled out through local partners, including Southeast Public Health.
Anja Cahill, a registered nurse with Southeast Public Health, says the first years of life are key to long-term well-being.
The pathway helps identify developmental concerns early, such as delays in speech, movement, or social interaction. It also looks at emotional development, including how children express joy or manage strong feelings.
Cahill shared what it may mean when infants and children don’t meet their typical developmental milestones as is expected.
Families, caregivers, and service providers can access screening through multiple agencies across the region, including rural communities. Once a child is assessed, they can be referred to the most appropriate services.
Cahill says the program also supports families while they wait for care.
More information, including where to access screening, is available through the Maltby Centre website.
Written by Emily Chatwood
