(Sault Ste. Marie, ON and Batchewana First Nation)—Today, on behalf of the Minister of Indigenous Services, the Honourable Jane Philpott, Terry Sheehan announced a total federal investment of more than $6 million in First Nations child and family services.
MP Sheehan was pleased to attend two large gatherings with local chiefs, dignitaries and workers: one at the new Nogdaawenmishin (Take care of me) Centre, and the other at the news Baby Lucious Neonatal Hub.
A sum of $437,000 has been invested in the establishment and operation of the Baby Lucious Neonatal Hub in support of a much-welcomed program which will offer services to assist with the physical, spiritual, emotional, and mental wellness needs of infants born with Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS).
This investment has also been dedicated to creating neonatal, in-home support services, and the Neonatal Circle of Care Project. The Neonatal Circle of Care Project offers both clinical services and therapeutic treatments which incorporate Anishnawbe cultural values and teachings
A further $5.9 million in federal funding is dedicated to the Children’s Mental Health Initiative, which will provide additional, direct mental health services to more than 350 children living in First Nation communities in the North Shore Tribal Council area.
“I’m so proud to see our government investing in these incredibly imperative projects. The federal government is not only improving quality of life with these services, but more importantly, I am convinced they will be saving lives.” said Terry Sheehan, M.P. Riding of Sault Ste. Marie.
