What’s Available for Families
There are many services available in the Peterborough area for parents and caregivers of young children. See below for a list of these services.
Calling or texting the number 211 or searching the 211 website can also help to provide you with community and social services available in our area.
For the printable PDF, click here.
Find support for:
- Breastfeeding
- Accessing a Primary Health Care Provider
- Child Health and Development
- Children & Families with Special Needs
- Family Support
- Family Support for Indigenous Families
- Play Groups/Recreation/Child Care
Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding Clinic (PRHC) Book an appointment or speak to a Lactation Consultant on the phone 705-876-5059
Health 811 A Registered Nurse is available 24 hours for support 811
Prenatal ‘Breastfeeding Basics’ Workshop A one session class offering expectant parents an opportunity to learn basic information about breastfeeding prior to the birth of their baby. Offered by Peterborough Child and Family Centres (5x/year) 705-748-9144
Breastfeeding & Well Baby Drop-In Clinic Drop-in to speak to a lactation consultant/community health nurse for breastfeeding help. Offered by Peterborough Child and Family Centres (201 Antrim Street, Peterborough) 705-748-9144
A List of Breastfeeding Support Services in the Area 705-743-1000
Accessing a Primary Health Care Provider
Health Care Connect A place to register for a health care provider if you do not have one 1-800-445-1822
Health 811 Speak to a Registered Nurse. Available 24 hours 811
POP Clinic (Paediatric Outpatient Program, PRHC) Sees children aged 0-18 years old. Call after 8am Mon-Fri for same-day appointments 705-740-8055
Peterborough Family Health Team If you are a patient of a provider here, access their support or the support of members of their team 705-740-8020
Peterborough 360 Degree Nurse Practitioner-Led Clinic If you are a patient of a Nurse Practitioner here, access their support or the support of members of their team. They also have a waitlist you can add your name to 705-874-3900
Enhanced Care Clinc Walk-in clinic open EVENINGS and WEEKENDS 705-874-8080
Good Doctors Telemedicine Clinic Telemedicine clinic with a nurse on-site open Mon-Fri 705-304-1034
Child Health and Development
Healthy Babies, Healthy Children program Connect with a Public Health Nurse or a Home Visitor for support during pregnancy or at any time from birth to when your child transitions to school-age 705-743-1003 Ext. 282
Tri-Regional Infant Hearing Program If your baby did not have a hearing screen when they were born, contact your local clinic to have this done before 2 months of age 1-888-703-5437 (Press 4 for Infant Hearing)
Consumer Product Safety Information on recalls and alerts and product safety education 1-866-662-0666
Immunizations Information about immunizations and a place to update your child’s immunization record 705-743-1000 Ext. 331
Speech Assessment Contact the Five Counties Children’s Centre if you have concerns about your child’s speech-language development 705-748-2337 Ext. 100
Family & Youth Clinic Outpatient program at PRHC offering mental health support and treatment for children/adolescents (0-18 years) and their families 705-743-2121
Kids Help Phone Canada’s only 24/7 e-mental health service offering free, confidential support to young people in English and French 1-800-668-6868
Allergy & Asthma Helpline A team of Certified Respiratory Educators (CREs) can provide you with expert support and advice about asthma and respiratory allergies 1-866-787-4050
Poison Control Centre Expert poison advice is available 24 hours a day by the Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) in Toronto 1-800-268-9017
Healthy Smiles Ontario Provides free preventive, routine, and emergency dental services for children and youth 17 years old and under from low-income households 1-844-296-6306
Children & Families with Special Needs
Children with Special Needs Get information about support for your child’s special needs related to their physical, intellectual, emotional, social, language or behavioural development 1-800-646-3209
Assistance for Children with Severe Disabilities Learn about financial support to help families with the costs of caring for a child with severe disabilities and find out how to apply 1-800-646-3209
Ontario Disability Support Program Find information about income support, benefits for health costs, and other disability supports 705-742-9292
Kinark Child & Family Services Support for children and youth with complex needs (Includes autism and mental health support services) 705-742-3803
Ontario Autism Program Learn about the Ontario Autism Program and support for children with autism. Find out how to register for the program and get information about funding and service options 1-888-444-4530
Autism Ontario The province’s leading source of information and referral on autism, and one of the largest collective voices representing the autism community 1-800-472-7789
Home and Community Care Support Services Delivers in-home and community-based services to support health and well-being 705-743-2212
Canopy Support Services (Previously Tri-County Support Services) Local agency serving the varied needs of adults and children with intellectual and developmental disabilities, their families/caregivers, and the agencies supporting them. Some services include autism services, behavioural consultation services, and fetal alcohol spectrum disorder 705-876-9245
Community Living Peterborough Provides a range of services to people living with a developmental disability and their families 705-743-2411
Infant & Toddler Development Program Provides support for families (such as home visits and consultations) for children who are delayed (or who may become delayed) in development or who are diagnosed with special needs such as Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, or spina bifida 705-743-1000
Down Syndrome Association of Peterborough Offers support and a variety of programs for families and persons with Down syndrome 705-749-6695
Genetic Counselling (PRHC) Genetic counselling and evaluation are available for adults and children who have characteristics of a genetic condition 705-876-5185
Easter Seals Ontario Provides programs and services to create a more inclusive and accessible society where kids with physical disabilities are valued, respected, and given the opportunities they need to succeed (Includes funding for essential accessibility and mobility equipment and two fully accessible summer camps) 705-761-4159
Five Counties Children’s Centre Offers a range of services and support for children with physical, communication, and developmental needs 705-748-2337
Canadian Hearing Society Offers a wide range of services, products, and information for people who are Deaf or hard of hearing 1-866-518-0000
Canadian National Institute for the Blind Delivers innovative programs and advocates for people impacted by blindness or low vision 705-745-6918
Paediatric Diabetes Education Centre Cares for children ages 18 years and under living with a diagnosis of Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes. The clinic operates 3.5 days per week within the Pediatric Outpatient (POP) Clinic located at PRHC 705-740-8055
Family Support
Food/Clothing
Need Food Now? Peterborough Food Calendar Find where to go for free meals and food banks each day of the month in Peterborough 705-742-7777
Kawartha Food Share (Find a Food Bank) Works to ensure that all members of the Peterborough County-City community have access to a reliable emergency food source 705-745-5377
Good Neighbours Care Centre Provides free clothing, food, small kitchen items, and linens 705-742-9800
Salvation Army Community Family Services Provides a wide variety of emergency needs by trained staff (includes food, medicine, and other household needs) 705-742-4391
St. Vincent de Paul “Vinnies” Food Pantry and store with discounted items (tax free shopping) 705-874-3937
Showers & Laundry Service (360 Degree Clinic) 705-874-390
Come Cook With Us Free cooking sessions for anyone interested in sharing new recipes, developing skills, learning about nutrition, and having fun 705-743-1000
Mental Health
Talk Now (PRHC) Call to be connected with a mental health and/or addictions professional 705-876-5826
Not What I Expected (In-Person Postpartum Support Group) Talk about your experiences with challenges in the postpartum period, discuss coping strategies, and meet other Moms. Organized by Peterborough Child and Family Centres 705-740-8020 Ext. 315
Online Postpartum Support Group For individuals who are experiencing symptoms of postpartum anxiety, postpartum depression, and/or or would like support with coping with a newborn. This group meets virtually using Microsoft Teams 416-756-6000
Mother Matters An 8-week online support group run by the Mental Health Program at Women’s College Hospital for women with mood/adjustment challenges following the birth of their baby. Takes place on a confidential discussion board mothermatters@wchospital.ca
Four County Mental Health Crisis Line Call for mental health support from a mental health professional (Available 24 hours) 705-745-6484
Telecare Distress Centre in Peterborough A local call center which offers a non-judgmental, confidential listening ear to anyone in need by a trained volunteer (Available 24 hours) 705-745-2273
Community Counselling & Resource Centre Meet with professional counsellors to help explore your issue and develop a solution 705-743-2272
Lynx Early Psychosis Intervention Program An early psychosis intervention program that helps people who are experiencing a first episode of psychosis get their lives back on track and stay well. Serves people between the ages of 14-35 705-876-5071
Addictions Services
Fourcast Provides help for people struggling with drugs, alcohol, and/or gambling 705-876-1292
Smoker’s Helpline Has proven, free and personalized tools to help you quit successfully 1-877-513-5333
STOP on the Net An online program to help you quit smoking cigarettes
Sexual Health
Sexual Health Clinic Offers pregnancy testing and birth control, emergency contraception (plan B or morning after pill), testing and treatment for sexually transmitted infections, and help with decisions about sex. Located at Peterborough Public Health 705-748-2021
Women’s Healthcare Centre (PRHC) Offers information, support, counselling and treatment to help women prevent health problems and understand their choices when problems occur 705-743-4132
Kawartha Sexual Assault Centre Offers crisis support, advocacy and accompaniment, individual counselling, group counselling, workshops, and prevention education for those affected by sexual violence and harm (Available 24 hours) 705-741-0260
Assaulted Women’s Helpline Free, anonymous, and confidential telephone line for all women in the province of Ontario who have experienced any form of abuse. Provides crisis counselling, safety planning, emotional support, information, and referrals (Available 24 hours) #SAFE (#7233) or 1-866-863-0511
Peterborough AIDS Resource Network (PARN) Provides support and health promotion for people living with or affected by HIV and/or AIDS 705-749-9110
Housing Assistance/Shelters
YWCA Crossroads Shelter Provides 24 hour emergency shelter, meals and support for women, with and without children, experiencing abuse of any kind (physical, emotional, sexual, financial, stalking, etc.) Call 1-800-461-7656 or Text 705-991-0110
YES Shelter for Youth and Families 705-748-3851
Brock Mission/Cameron House Men and Women’s Shelter 705-748-4766
Housing Resource Centre Provides housing support to anyone who is homeless or at risk of losing their housing. Also provides a set of Vacancy Listings from publicly available sources each week 705-743-2272
Housing Access Peterborough Help with finding affordable housing options in the City and County of Peterborough 705-748-8830
Legal Services
Family Law Information Centres Learn about the services and resources offered at Family Law Information Centres and find one near you 705-876-6915
Peterborough Community Legal Centre Free legal services for low income residents of Peterborough City and County 705-749-9355
Legal Aid Ontario Apply for financial support to help with legal costs 1-800-668-8258
Four Counties Family Court Mediation A cooperative alternative to find solutions to family disputes 705-760-9603
Government and Income Support Services
Ontario Works Find information about financial assistance, benefits, and employment assistance 1-888-789-4199
Ontario Disability Support Program Find information about income support, benefits for health costs, and other disability supports 705-742-9292
Benefits Finder Online tool that can help you find benefits and services that you may be eligible to receive
Free Tax Clinics Find a free tax clinic where volunteers file tax returns for people with a modest income and a simple tax situation
Service Ontario Get your driver’s licence, licence plate, plate stickers, health cards, birth certificates, register a birth and more 1-800-267-8097
New Canadian Centre Provides free and confidential services to immigrants and refugees living in the Peterborough, Kawartha Lakes, Haliburton or Northumberland regions 705-743-0882
Education Services
School for Young Moms at PACE at PCVS Young students who are pregnant or have an infant under 18 months can access specialty parenting programs and supports, a nurturing and safe onsite licensed childcare, a daily breakfast and lunch and more all while working towards their high school completion 705-742-4632
Learning, Earning, and Parenting program Available for single parents or couples under the age of 25 with children 705-748-8830
Trent Valley Literacy Association Offers one-to-one tutoring and small group learning to support adults to develop their reading, writing, and computer literacy skills for employment, education, apprenticeship, and independence 705-749-0777
Children Support Services
Kawartha Haliburton Children’s Aid Society Provides child protection services and family support programs 705-743-9751
Big Brothers & Big Sisters Works to provide life changing mentoring experiences for children and youth 705-743-6100
Service Coordination for Children & Youth Provides leadership and support to local services to develop integrated service plans for children and youth, along with their families and caregivers, with needs that challenge the ability of the community to address 705-748-9770
Peterborough Youth Services Provides clinical counselling to youth between the ages of 10-18 as well as services for youth that are in conflict with the law 705-743-1681
Peterborough Youth Services (Community Resources by Region) pdf
Family Support for Indigenous Families
Curve Lake Health and Family Services A community health centre for individuals and families of Curve Lake First Nation 705-657-2557
Hiawatha First Nation Health & Social Services The L.I.F.E. (Lasting Individual Family Enrichment) Services Centre is home to health and social programs for Hiawatha First Nation 705-295-4421
Dnaagdawenmag Binnoojiiyag Child & Family Services A multi-service Indigenous child well-being agency providing a stable foundation for children, youth, and families through wraparound services that are culturally-based and family-focused 705-295-7135
Niijkiwendidaa Anishnaabekwewag Services Circle Delivers counselling and healing services for Indigenous/ Aboriginal/ First Nations/ Metis/ Inuit women and their families 705-741-0900
Nogojiwanong Friendship Centre Provides a place of acceptance and well-being for urban Indigenous people through a wide range of community-based programs and services 705-775-0387
Ontario Aboriginal Housing Services Has a mandate to provide safe and affordable housing to urban and rural First Nation, Inuit, and Métis people living off-Reserve in Ontario 1-844-391-1061
Play Groups/Recreation/Child Care
Peterborough Child and Family Centres An EarlyON child and family centre with a variety of programs for families during pregnancy and the early years 705-748-9144
Peterborough Sport & Wellness Centre Offers programs and activities for individuals and families to stay fit and have fun 705-742-0050
YMCA Offers programs and activities for individuals and families to stay fit and have fun 705-748-9622
Recreation Department, City of Peterborough Explore and register for recreation programs in Peterborough. Discounts are available based on income level 705-742-7777
Apply for Child Care (OneHSN) Learn about licensed child care fees and add your child’s name to Peterborough’s centralized waitlist 705-748-8830
Updated February 2023