November 22, 2005
HANDS Together program in Langley
MLA Statements

M. Polak: On November 18 it was my privilege to attend the official launch of the Langley HANDS Together project. The acronym HANDS stands for health, activities, nutrition, development and safety, with "together" referring to the parent-child relationship. The HANDS Together project will provide parents and caregivers with information about child development, while at the same time providing tools that will aid them in promoting literacy, good health and nutrition habits, and physical activity as their children grow and mature.

           The first part of the project uses developmental wheels. The wheels are funded through a grant from the Fraser Health Authority, and they offer practical information about child development from birth to school entry in an easy-to-read format. The wheels, along with other helpful information, are provided to a family when a public health nurse visits their home after the birth of their new baby. Subsequent wheels will be distributed to families as they bring their children in to be immunized at public health clinics in the community.

           The second part of the project provides information kits that are funded through the Make Children First initiative. Each kit focuses on a different developmental milestone and contains children's books, a music tape, a felt board story, a puppet and a video, as well as a book for parents and a list of other resources.

           This exciting project is the result of a community working together to promote healthy child development. The working group included Aldergrove Neighbourhood Services, Langley Child Development Centre, Langley Family Services, Langley public health, Langley City Library and Langley child and youth mental health. Together these organizations and the parents of Langley are bringing B.C. ever closer to reaching our goals in education, literacy and healthy living.