Children's Health

Do I need private health insurance if I have OHIP?
You may need private health insurance to cover additional costs like prescriptions. There are a few ways to start your search and things to consider when finding affordable insurance.
Canada Dental Benefit Factsheet
The interim Canada Dental Benefit can help lower dental costs for families with children that meet eligiblity criteria.
What are community health centres?
Community Health Centres (CHC) services help people in your community get health care and attend programs regardless of their life situation or financial status.

What financial assistance can I get if I have a disability?
If you or a family member have a disability that may impact your income or personal finances, there may be options to help in this list of programs.
What can I do to feel less stressed during challenging times?
Multilingual videos about mental health support and how to cope with stress during the COVID-19 pandemic.
What is Public Health?
Public Health units are responsible for the protection and promotion of health and wellbeing of the general public. Public Health aims to improve the overall health of the population.

Who should get a flu shot?
Fact sheets from the Ministry of Health on who should get a flu shot and why.
What is a virtual emergency department?
A virtual emergency department is an online consultation with an emergency doctor when you need attention right away.
What are respite services for children with special needs?
When you need extra help managing the day-to-day of caring for a child with a disability, a respite service can assist you.

What are some healthy lunches for children?
If your child's school does not have a lunch program, you need to send your child to school with lunch. Call your child's school to check the school's lunch facilities. Try to put variety into your child's lunch.
What resources are available for people who are deaf or hard of hearing?
There are different types of supports and services available for people who are deaf or hard of hearing as well as their families. If you think that you may have hearing loss the first step is to have your hearing assessed.
Do I need to use car seats for children?
Ontario’s Highway Traffic Act (HTA) states that if your child is under 8 years old, they must use a booster or car seat.

What is child abuse?
Child abuse means that a parent or caregiver hurts a child or does not protect a child.
Do we need a pediatrician?
Pediatricians are primary care doctors who specialize in children's health, including physical, mental, and social health.
I think a child is being abused. What do I do?
If you know a child is being abused, you must report it. If you think that a child is being abused, you must report it.

When should I keep my child home from daycare or school?
You should keep your child home from daycare or school if they are feeling unwell and are not able to participate in normal activities. Especially if they have a fever, diarrhea or are vomiting.
What is family counselling?
Settling in a new country can be a stressful experience for a family.
What is the Assistive Devices Program?
In Ontario, the Assistive Devices Program (ADP) helps pay for customized equipment, like wheelchairs and hearing aids if you have a long-term physical disability. The ADP also helps cover the cost of specialized supplies, like those used with diabetes.

Growing Up in a New Land: A Guide for Newcomer Parents
This resource provides information for newcomer parents with children under 6 years old. It is available in English or French.
Newborn Screening Ontario
This multilingual document provides information on newborn testing. All babies in Ontario are tested for rare disorders in order to reduce the possibility of health problems later in life.
What vaccinations does my child need?
These are the proper vaccinations your children must obtain before attending school in Ontario.

Services for Children Who are Blind or Have Low Vision
Ontario’s Blind – Low Vision Early Intervention Program is designed to give children who are born blind or with low vision the best possible start in life. Specialized family-centred services are funded by the province and are available for children.
What is an AMBER Alert?
The AMBER Alert system is set up to give you immediate and up-to-date information about child abduction (kidnapping) in your area.

Do I need private health insurance if I have OHIP?