Background

Who are we?  What is our vision? The Rural Response for Healthy Children (RRHC) is a community based not for profit service organization that endeavours to support a responsive community that protects the rights of children, reduces child abuse and neglect, and strengthens families to nurture their children.  

What is our history? Established in 1987, our not-for-profit organization strengthens the capacity of families and communities to nurture healthy children through provision of quality education and prevention programs. We reach out to at risk families to enable them to access effectively existing community services to manage their lives. We strive for excellent service by being leaders within our community and through proactive actions.   

Why is our work important? In the midst of rapid global and local economic and social change and increasing environmental concerns, stressors are placed on families as this information streams into their homes, workplaces and communities.  A study (2004) in Huron County, ‘Trust before Change’, revealed that families face multiple overlapping challenges.  Our professional staff and trained volunteers have the capacity to support, educate and offer resources to families managing the stressors they experience to effectively raise their children and live in changing times.

Who are our partners?  What do we do? Over the past 23 years our organization has established partnerships with national, provincial and local organizations in the health, education and human services sectors.  We offer innovative education programs such as T.H.E. Bus/Child Program, Kids On the Block (personal safety education for children in Grades 3 & 4), Parent Support and Education (one to one and group programming). The volunteer board and staff advocate for policy change and support awareness campaigns like the Purple Ribbon Campaign to reduce family and child abuse and neglect.

The Public Health Agency of Canada through the Community Action Program for Children provides core-funding for our well-known and respected programming.  Our recent awarding of funding to continue work with families on Budgeting and Investing in the Future training comes from the HRSDC –ESCO program through the Federal government of Canada. We started the work of financial management education in 2008 with funds from the Status of Women Canada, delivering budgeting education and support to women, girls and their families. Working with over 40 community partners, we reach out to families that are isolated, low income and seek out support to raise their children.

T.H.E. Bus/Child Program reaches out to rural families through our mobile resource library.   This valued service to 18 communities in Huron County overcomes barriers of isolation and lack of transportation.  Building on the strengths of individuals and families, professional staff work with families to improve parenting and child development skills, access resources, develop social networks and improve the emotional well-being of parents and children.

The Parent Support/Education Program offers individual support and group activities through Group Programs. Many families welcome the opportunities to tap into timely parenting resources, advice and tips, new networks and participate in practical activities at their community gathering place.  This benefits the whole family when parent/care-givers’ parenting skills are strengthened. 

The Personal Safety Education for Children with Different Abilities Program (well known in community as the S.N.A.P. Program) reaches out with support, resources and training to care-givers, families, children and professionals to reduce child abuse and neglect.   

We are investing in the future. As responsible leaders, we play our part to build the community and support families by encouraging the participation, employment and volunteerism of student and young professionals.  Each summer we hire students to join our team as summer staff in the KINDEROO School Readiness Program to advance their careers, education, share their knowledge and skills, and learn.

We continuously endeavour to make the best use of every dollar that we have to provide cutting edge programs based and the latest research and practical implementation methods. Our professional staff are committed to keeping their education, training and expertise levels updated and their skills honed to provide our participants with the best learning and support that they can.