Overnight Care (quick bookmark link) | Supervised Access (manual Bookmark) | Excuse (script)
When families experience stress, crisis or transition, Merrymount’s Overnight
Care Program provides care to children from birth to 12 years.
This is a temporary service to meet children’s needs during family instability.
The program offers family centred 24 hour continuous care, when it is difficult
for the family to provide appropriate care.
Merrymount helps the family cope with the crisis, offers referrals to community
supports, and helps plan appropriate care for the children’s return home.
When parents separate, visits or exchanges can be difficult for the whole
family. Merrymount’s Supervised Access Program, now in London, St. Thomas, and
Woodstock, provides a neutral visit/exchange environment for families in
conflict over child custody and visiting arrangements during separation and
divorce.
Families may be referred to the program for various reasons, including:
unresolved conflict between parents, concerns with parenting ability, extended
absence of a non-custodial parent, history of drug or alcohol abuse, safety
concerns due to a history of violence in the family, or concerns of possible
abduction.
All Kids Belong
All Kids Belong facilitates inclusive community child care for children with
special needs from birth to 12 years.
By empowering families and child care professionals, the program creates a
welcoming environment for all children in community child care programs, Ontario
Early Years Centres, and Before/After School Programs.
All Kids Belong provides support to community child care programs to enhance
their knowledge and skills in working with families and children with special
needs.
Satellites
Young Parents in School is about helping teen parents finish high school while
successfully raising a child. Merrymount provides infant and toddler care while
teen parents develop marketable skills and focus on personal growth. At the same
time, integrated parenting education provides practical opportunities for the
parents to learn about child care health and safety issues, parenting skills and
child development.
Second Stage Preschool
Children who have witnessed family violence need special supports to promote
their growth, development, and optimal mental health and well-being.
The Second Stage Preschool program offers two half-day sessions for children who
are Second Stage Housing residents. The program provides preventive, interim
support to families whose adult members are building job and social skills in
order to move from difficult living situations to a new life in the community.