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Whether you're pregnant or already a parent, you might have questions that need answered. Learn how HaltonParents can help you to get the answers you need.

HaltonParents blog

The HaltonParents blog is a place where you can find reliable information and support to help you along your parenting journey.

Our bloggers are public health nurses, each with specialized knowledge about every age and stage, from thinking about pregnancy to raising teenagers. Our nurses share their personal experiences and sound parenting information to help you address the everyday challenges and worries that come with the joy of being a parent in Halton.

View the HaltonParents blog (external link)
Halton Parents logo showing a graphic representation of a parent and child of a non-specific gender in the colours of the Halton logo (green and blue).

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HaltonParents ebulletins are newsletters emailed to you on a regular basis until your child is 4 years of age. They contain age-appropriate, reliable information on topics like feeding and nutrition, health and safety, growth and development and parenting.

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Meet the HaltonParents online team

Amanda Deveaux RN

I have been a Public Health Nurse for over 10 years but it wasn’t until I became a parent that I learned the true value of having a community and support system to get through this overwhelming and awesome stage of life. I am passionate about supporting parents throughout their parenting journey and providing reliable and trustworthy information. In the winter you can find me skating on our backyard rink with my kids. I also love concerts, travelling and chatting about all things parenting.

Andrea Licursi RD

For the past 10 years, I have worked as a Public Health Dietitian supporting families with healthy eating and food skills. Working with families to make healthy food choices is a rewarding combination; encouraging children to be food explorers by trying healthy foods and flavours in a fun way is key! Living in Halton, my family regularly enjoys cooking meals together and being active outdoors. I look forward to connecting with you soon!

Heather Van Laare RN

I have been working as a nurse supporting parents, youth and children for the past 20 years. I love seeing parents encourage each other as they share their knowledge and experience. As a parent myself, I too have benefitted from this collective wisdom. Looking forward to connecting with you!

Jennifer DaSilva-Bowman, RN

I have been a nurse for over 10 years and I enjoy meeting parents in my role as a public health nurse. Becoming a parent has given me a new appreciation for the challenges of parenting and I love supporting others as they navigate the ups and downs of raising kids.

Julia Brdarevic, RN

As a nurse with 25 years of experience, I have had the amazing opportunity to help and support the health and wellbeing of many adults, children and youth. As a mom of two amazing teenagers I appreciate the joys and challenges of parenting and recognize “it takes a village” to raise a child. Outside of work you can find me enjoying nature walks, singing with my choir and enjoying time with my family. I look forward to connecting with you to support your parenting journey.

Kristy Walker RN

I am honoured to support families in the community where I was born and raised. My two young girls keep me on my toes, and I am grateful for the connections I have made on this parenting journey. With 10 years of nursing experience (seven of those in Public Health), you can count on me to listen and provide you with reliable parenting information. I’d love to chat with you!

Shaara Khan, RN

As a nurse, I have been lucky to be able to provide compassionate and excellent care to infants, children and families at The Hospital for Sick Children and now in Public Health. I have two little boys of my own and love to spend our weekends hiking through Halton parks as every season offers something beautiful to see. In my spare time you can find me baking sweet treats with my boys or enjoying the outdoors!

Tanya Melykuty RN

Over my 24 years as a Registered Nurse, I have worked in a variety of roles and am so grateful for every one of them! I’ve spent the last 15 years in Public Health, primarily in the school setting working with youth and schools to co-create spaces, relationships and opportunities for our young people to thrive. I’m the mom of a teen and tween and more than anything they’ve taught me the power of love, how important it is to honour each child for who they are and that life is a lot more fun when approached with a lighter heart!

Uma Sebastiampillai, RD

As a registered dietitian, I have worked in many health care sectors, with the past 14 years in public health supporting adult and child nutrition. I love being the mother of a young, active son. In my spare time I enjoy reading, traveling and learning about other cultures.

HaltonParents Online Privacy Practices and Disclaimer

All questions received on the 'HaltonParents' Twitter, Facebook or blog pages are reviewed by one or more of the HaltonParents staff. If your question is outside of the staff member's area of expertise, the staff member will forward your question on to the appropriate expert within the Health, or Social and Community Services department for an answer.

If any question or concern of a personal nature is raised in either the public Twitter, Facebook or blog forums, the staff member will take the discussion offline to ensure privacy and confidentiality. Medical/health advice will also not be given in either public forum. The Halton Parents team can offer that information by phone or in person. Please email haltonparents@halton.ca with your phone number, or call 311 if you require such assistance.

Nothing described in this website should be construed by any reader or other person to be a diagnosis or treatment for any health concern for either your child or you. The HaltonParents team and any additional contributors viewed on the HaltonParents Twitter, Facebook or blog pages cannot accept any responsibility for any ill effects resulting from the use or misuse of the information contained on these platforms. Information is being presented for educational purposes only and any use of this information is the sole responsibility of the reader.

Also note that HaltonParents may "follow" organizations or individuals to engage in conversation with them. However, "following" does not in any way connote endorsement by Halton Region or any of its staff of the information or opinions of those individuals or organizations.

Halton Region Public Health (HRPH) is committed to implementing the Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding in Canada (external PDF), as outlined by the Breastfeeding Committee for Canada (external link). HRPH provides services and resources that protect, promote and support breastfeeding. Links to websites external to www.halton.ca are provided as a convenience and do not imply that HRPH endorses or accepts any responsibility for the content or use of these external websites.

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