Youth Pregnancy Care Pathway

Resource for Care Providers
This website is currently under review. Please note there is some outdated information on services and phone numbers. In the meantime, refer to the attached pdfs which were updated December 2022.
Is the youth in an immediate crisis or emergency situation?

Emergency Housing:

  • Notre Dame Youth Shelter (FR) (co-ed, ages 16-21, no children) 905-308-8090
  • Shelters for women of any age with or without children: resources

Mental Health Crisis:

  • Hamilton Crisis Outreach and Support Team (COAST) (FR) 905-972-8338
  • Sexual Assault Centre Crisis Line 905-525-4162 (24-hr)
  • Fem'aide: Francophone Women's Support Line (FR-only) 1-877-336-2433

Determine if youth is at risk for crisis by assessing needs in areas listed below

Be careful in phrasing questions, youth are likely to feel judgement here! When concerns are identified, link to system navigation and address immediate needs. Communicate risk factors when connecting with services.

  • *Mental Wellness and Illness: Youth Wellness Centre 905-522-1155 x31725
  • *Tobacco Cessation: Smokers' Helpline, connect to local cessation supports and phone counselling (FR) 1-877-513-5333
  • *Substance Use: Alternatives for Youth (12-22) 905-527-4469
  • *Housing Case Management: Early Intervention (16-21) or Homelessness Prevention (16-25), Living Rock 905-528-7625 x246 or Notre Dame House (FR) 905-308-8090
  • *Abuse and Violence:
  • Good Shepherd Women's Services 905-523-6277
  • Women's shelter full list
  • If under 16, consult with Children's Aid or Catholic Children's Aid Society (C/CAS) (FR)
  • *Legal Issues: Jared's Place Legal Advocacy 905-522-0127 x207

Note: Healthy Babies Healthy Children Screen, Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths (CANS) tool, and Antenatal 1 can assist in assessing risk factors.

*Francophone supports for all of the above (mental health, tobacco, substance use, housing, abuse and violence, legal issues) are provided by the Centre de santé communautaire Hamilton-Niagara: 905-528-0163 (FR-only)

Does the youth need and want to confirm pregnancy?

Pregnancy Test:

  • Family Doctor
  • Maternity Centre of Hamilton 905-528-5553
  • other resources

Counsel youth on full range of options and resources available.

  • Atwell Centre (formerly Pregnancy Support Services of Hamilton) 905-393-8525
  • Health Connections Phone Line 905-546-3550

Pregnancy decision is time sensitive! learn more

Does the youth have a community service provider to offer support and system navigation?

Make connection to:

  • Nurse-Family Partnership or Healthy Babies Healthy Children (HBHC); Refer through: Health Connections 905-546-3550
    • Home visiting from Public Health Nurse throughout pregnancy and postpartum and from a Family Home Visitor in the HBHC Program
  • Young Parent & Infant Centres
    • Grace Haven 905-522-7336
    • St. Martin's Manor 905-575-7500 (Young Parent Navigator at x341)
    • Comprehensive prenatal and parenting programs, onsite school & residence
  • Social Worker where youth is already comfortable accessing supports (Hospital, Maternity Centre, School, Library, C/CAS)
  • Hamilton Regional Indian Centre 905-548-9593
    • Comprehensive holistic prenatal and postpartum programs
  • Centre de Santé Communautaire - Services perinataux (FR-only) 905-528-0163
    • Francophone community health centre and prenatal care
Is the youth accessing prenatal education in a peer environment?
  • Hamilton Prenatal Nutrition Program (Welcome Baby) 905-546-3550
    • Free weekly drop-in pre and postnatal (to 6-mth) support groups throughout the city; snack and food gift card provided
  • Prenatal education:
    • Public Health Services 905-546-3591
Does the youth have a health care provider that they trust to provide comprehensive prenatal care?

Connect youth to:

  • The Maternity Centre 905-528-5553
    • A health care team offering comprehensive pregnancy care
  • Midwifery Services: A registered midwife is a primary caregiver throughout pregnancy, labour, and 6 weeks postpartum.
    • Access Midwives (Stoney Creek) 905-546-5002
    • Community Midwives of Hamilton (downtown Hamilton) 905-546-5444
    • Hamilton Midwives (downtown Hamilton) 905-527-8919
    • Hamilton Midwifery Care (central mountain) 905-296-3665
  • Family Doctor or Nurse Practitioner. If they don't have one, contact:
  • CSCHN - Family Doctor or Midwife (FR-only) 905-528-0163
Is the youth late to care or declining support?

Link to:

  • Social Work at hospital,
  • The Maternity Centre 905-528-5553,
  • Midwifery Services (see comprehensive prenatal care, above), or
  • Shelter Health Network on call Maternity Care Team for immediate on site prenatal support 905-974-1735

If more support is needed and you are concerned about the safety of the infant, connect with C/CAS. A referral can be made prior to birth. Educate youth on C/CAS support role, encourage youth to call.

  • CAS 905-522-1121
  • CCAS 905-525-2012

Labour and birth: Critical moment where support is needed as youth feel vulnerable.

Involve clients in care decisions and take time to address concerns.

Does the youth have support for parenting and early child development?
Does the youth have a plan for continuing education or employment?
  • Review childcare subsidy application and criteria www.hamilton.ca/childcare
  • Encourage tax filing to access financial benefits. Hamilton Tax Help 905-522-1148 x456
  • Learning Earning And Parenting (LEAP): supports youth under 26 on Ontario Works to complete high school: 905-546-2424 x3088
  • YWCA Employment Services 905-522-9922
  • Collège Boréal: AFB/ACE Accès carrières études (FR-only) 905-544-9824 x7320
  • Use the Financial Supports Catalogue from Best Start
  • For School Board Navigation:
    • English Public (HWDSB) Young Parent Navigator: 289-237-0915 (Sept - June)
    • See Resources section for list of young parent focused high school completion programs, and French Catholic and Public School Board Navigation.
  • Flip to the back for a list of young parent focused high school completion programs
Does the youth have support for birth and immediate postpartum?

In hospital:

  • Key learning for new parents where extra support is needed
  • Review and acknowledge birth plan
  • At the time of birth, if you are concerned about the safety of the infant, you have a duty to report your concerns to C/CAS.
  • Breastfeeding:
    • Immediate and accessible breastfeeding support at both McMaster and St. Joseph's Hospitals. Ongoing:
    • Public Health Services 905-546-3550
    • La Leche League 1-800-665-4324
    • Telehealth (FR) 1-866-797-0000
  • Mental Wellness:
    • Encourage counselling as a normal part of adjusting to major change via:
    • Women's Health Concerns Clinic 905-522-1155 x33979
  • Promote post-discharge visit for 24-48 hours later with health care provider
  • Discuss postpartum contraceptive plans
    • Sexual Health Clinic 905-528-5894, or
    • care provider for birth control
  • Use Perinatal Mental Health Care Path
  • Provide information around obtaining child identification and birth certificate. If youth needs own ID, connect with:
    • Urban Core ID clinic 905-522-3233
You've reached the end of the care pathway

Resources

Prenatal

PREGNANCY TESTING/COUNSELLING

PERINATAL HEALTH CARE

MIDWIFERY PRENATAL CARE

905-546-5002
Access Midwives (Stoney Creek)
905-527-8919
Hamilton Midwives
905-296-3665
Mountain Midwifery Care

PERINATAL EDUCATION AND SUPPORT

905-549-4276
Regina’s Place (under 21, postnatal)
905-528-0163
Centre de santé communautaire Hamilton-Niagara (FR-only)
905-522-7336
Grace Haven (under 21)
905-528-7625
Living Rock Prenatal Support Group

PERINATAL SUPPORT AND HOME VISITING

905-528-0163
Centre de santé communautaire Hamilton-Niagara (FR-only)

SUBSTANCE USE AND ADDICTION

905-527-4469
Alternatives for Youth (12-22)
905-528-0163
Centre de santé communautaire Hamilton-Niagara (FR-only)

CHILD PROTECTION (EXTRA SUPPORT)

905-525-2012 / 1-855-550-3571 (FR)
Catholic Children’s Aid Society
905-522-1121 / 1-855-550-3571 (FR)
Hamilton Children’s Aid Society

Housing

EMERGENCY SHELTERS

905-529-8600
Inasmuch House (women & children) (FR)
905-387-8881
Interval House (women & children) (FR)
905-523-6277
Martha House (women & children) (FR)
905-540-8000
Mary’s Place (women 18+, no children)
905-664-1114
Native Women’s Centre (women & children)
905-308-8090
Notre Dame House (16-21, no children) (FR)
905-528-9442
The Family Centre (families)

YOUNG PARENT & INFANT CENTRES (RESIDENTIAL)

905-549-4276
Regina’s Place (under 21, postnatal) (FR)
905-522-7336
Grace Haven (under 21, prenatal & postnatal)
905-575-7500
St. Martin’s Manor (under 21, prenatal & postnatal)

HOUSING SUPPORT

905-528-0163
Centre de santé communautaire Hamilton-Niagara (FR-only)
905-546-4804
Home Management Program (skills)
905-528-7625
Living Rock (13-25)
905-308-8090
Notre Dame House (15-21) (FR)
905-527-4430 x28
Wesley Urban Ministries (16-21)

Newcomer Services

HEALTH CARE ACCESS

905-526-0000
Hamilton Centre for Newcomer Health
905-522-3233
Urban Core CHC Health in Settlement

SUPPORTS

905-528-0163
Centre de santé communautaire Hamilton-Niagara (FR-only)
905-529-5209
Immigrants Working Centre
905-528-5629
Wesley Urban Ministries
905-522-9922
YWCA Settlement Services

Postpartum

BREASTFEEDING SUPPORTS

905-528-0163
Centre de santé communautaire Hamilton-Niagara (FR-only)
800-665-4324
La Leche League
1-866-797-0000
Telehealth Breastfeeding Support

POSITIVE PARENTING

905-549-3383
Centre de la petite enfance de l’Ontario (FR-only)
905-528-0163
Centre de santé communautaire Hamilton-Niagara (FR-only)
905-521-2100 x74406
Right from the Start/COPEing with Toddler Behaviour Infant-Parent Program

CHILD CARE

905-546-4870
Child Care Subsidy Hamilton

CHILD DEVELOPMENT

905-381-2828
Blind-Low Vision Early Intervention
905-528-8555
C.N.I.B. Hamilton/Halton/Niagara
905-570-8888
Contact Hamilton (FR)
905-381-2828
Early Words Hamilton (Speech)

CONTRACEPTION AND SEXUAL HEALTH

RECREATION

905-549-2814
Boys and Girls Clubs (FR)
905-546-3200
Hamilton Public Library (Main Branch)
905-546-2424 x4569
Recreation Fee Assistance

Education and Employment

HIGH SCHOOL COMPLETION

905-575-7500 x341
HWCDSB Young Parent Navigator
905-575-7500
St. Martin’s Manor (HWCDSB)
905-521-2554
HWDSB Assessment Centre
905-522-7336
Grace Haven Young Parent School (HWDSB)
905-561-2190
Next Steps High School Completion Program for parents 19-25 (HWDSB)
905-308-1543
Young and Expecting Parent Program (YEPP) (HWDSB)
289-237-0915
Public Board Young Parent Navigator (HWCDSB)
905-544-9824 x7320
Collège Boréal – AFB/ACE Accès carrières études (FR-only)
French Catholic - CSDCCS: connect via principal or resource teacher at school to access the success team or social worker for support (FR-only)
French Public - CS Viamonde: connect via principal or guidance counsellor at school for support to finish high school (FR-only)

EMPLOYMENT & FINANCIAL SUPPORT SERVICES

905-777-1562
Collège Boréal: Options Emploi (FR-only)
905-546-2424 x3088
Learning, Earning, and Parenting (LEAP) (under 26) – support to complete high school
905-522-1148 x456
Hamilton Tax Help
905-546-4800
Ontario Works
289-396-5864
Wesley Employment Services

Nutrition and Food Access

905-546-3550
City of Hamilton Info & Workshops
289-799-9514
Essential Aid
1-866-797-0000
Telehealth Ontario

HOT MEALS

Living Rock Ministries offers breakfast M-F 7:45-9:30am for youth 13-25 at 30 Wilson Street
Notre Dame House offers hot nutritious meals 7 days per week for youth aged 16-25. Lunch 11:30am-12:15pm, dinner 4-4:45pm at 14 Cannon Street West
Many other locations across Hamilton offer hot meals throughout the week, food banks, and other programs
Hamilton Food Access Guide offers a full list of places in Hamilton where food can be obtained for free or at low cost

Mental Health and Wellness

COUNSELLING AND PROFESSIONAL SUPPORT

905-527-3823
Catholic Family Services (FR)
905-528-0163
Centre de santé communautaire Hamilton-Niagara (FR-only)
905-570-8888
Child and Adolescent Services (access through Contact Hamilton)
905-522-0127
The Women’s Centre
905-522-1155 x33979
Women’s Health Concerns Clinic
905-528-0353
Wraparound Hamilton
905-522-1155 x31725
Youth Wellness Centre

Child Respite

905-522-9922 x310
YWCA Good Beginnings (postpartum)
905-575-7500
St. Martin's Manor
905-522-7336
Grace Haven
905-549-4276
Regina's Place (under 21)

WOMEN’S EMERGENCY SUPPORT

866-863-0511
Assaulted Women’s Helpline
905-527-3823 x279
CFS Abuse Counselling
877-336-2433
Fem’aide: Francophone Women’s Support Line (FR-only)
Women’s Shelters listed under Housing

Pregnancy Options

PREGNANCY AND POST-DECISION COUNSELLING

905-393-8525
Atwell Centre

ADOPTION

905-525-2012 (EN) / 1-855-550-3571 (FR)
Catholic Children’s Aid Society
905-522-1121 (EN) / 1-855-550-3571 (FR)
Hamilton Children’s Aid Society

ABORTION SERVICES

Medical abortion available up until 7 weeks, surgical abortion until 15 weeks in Hamilton. If under 15 weeks gestation, call Surgical Clinic (HHS) Mon-Fri 8am-4pm 905-389-5068
For resources outside of Hamilton or beyond 15 weeks, refer to Action Canada (FR) 1-888-642-2725, or AIDS and Sexual Health InfoLine (FR) 1-800-668-2437

Legal Advocacy and Intervention

905-545-0133
Banyan Community Services (12-18)
905-528-0163
Centre de santé communautaire Hamilton-Niagara (FR-only)
905-522-4446
John Howard Society

24-Hour Support

905-529-7878
Barrett Centre Crisis Line (16+)
905-972-8338
COAST Crisis Outreach (FR)
877-336-2433
Fem’aide: Francophone Women’s Support Line (FR-only)
905-575-7500 x0
St. Martin's Manor Young Parent Support
1-800-668-6868
Kids Help Phone Line (FR)
1-800-268-9017
Ontario Poison Control (FR)
905-546-4925
Police Non-Emergency (FR)
1-866-797-0000
Telehealth Phone Line Ontario (FR)
Emergency shelters and Young Parent & Infant Centres also offer 24-hour phone support.

Services for Young Fathers

289-237-0915
HWDSB Young Parent Navigator
905-549-2814 x230
Kiwanas MENtoring Programs
905-575-7500 x341
Young Parent Navigator

System Navigation and Peer Support

905-549-4276
Young Parent Peer Support (Regina's Place)
905-575-7500 x341
Young Parent Navigator

Legend

FR: means the service is also provided by French-speaking staff in addition to English
FR-only: means the service is available only in French

My Contacts

When you select checkboxes in the pathway the associated resources will appear here as a customized contact list.

Youth in Immediate Crisis or Emergency Situation

Confirming Pregnancy

Support and System Navigation

Prenatal Education

Comprehensive Prenatal Care

Late to Care or Declining Support

Parenting and Early Child Development

Continuing Education and Employment

Birth and Immediate Postpartum

Selected Resources

The Young Parent Resource Tool is an electronic resource designed by young parents to help young people explore and understand local resources available to pregnant and parenting youth.

Open the Young Parent Resource Tool

Please contact your organization’s Education Lead (if you have one) or use this contact form for questions, feedback, or if any of the links or phone numbers are no longer in service.

Healthy Birth Weights Coalition