Campbell River Hospital Foundation (CRHF) received a $24, 690 funding from Canadian Medical Association Foundation (CMAF) as part of its COVID-19 relief funding to hospitals across the country.
The funds will be used to support Brazelton Touchpoints – a project that builds and sustains a network of professionals who work collaboratively with caregivers of infants and small children.
Touchpoint focuses on supporting families by building a system of support, knowledge and education for children and their caregivers. The Early development index reflects that 35 per cent of local children under the age of five are vulnerable and susceptible to challenges.
With the pandemic having impacted children’s routines and coping strategies, they have been spending more time with their caregivers and relying on them completely. At the same time, stress on caregivers also continues to escalate. As a result healthy attachment and communication has become more important than ever.
Therefore by building the community’s skills collectively through Touchpoints, the foundation aims to support healthy attachment in families and support resilience in children. Strengthening the attachment between parents and children can mitigate the impact of trauma and reduce symptomology in children.
The funding is part of CMAF’s $5 million COVID-19 Community Hospital Fund that aims to support hospitals with fewer than 100 beds to meet their evolving needs with activities , equipment and training that enhance staff wellness, improve access to care and help prepare for future pandemics.