Resources for Residents

Becoming a Parent

Whether you’re a new parent, about to become a parent or just thinking about starting a family, the Manitoba Government offers a wide range of information and services for you. 

Expecting?

See a doctor early in your pregnancy and have regular checkups. Maintain good prenatal care and plan for a healthy baby.

• Plan for a healthy baby
  A variety of health and nutrition tips for mom and baby, and other useful information for moms-to-be.
• Physician directory
  Find a doctor.
• Midwifery services
  Midwives offer a new choice for you and your baby.
• Healthy Baby program
  Healthy Baby is a two-part program in Manitoba that can offer financial help and social and educational support through community programs.

Maternity and Parental Leave

• Maternity leave
  An unpaid leave, taken by mothers near the end of a pregnancy or immediately afterwards.
• Parental leave
  Taken by fathers and mothers to care for a child after birth or adoption.
• Employment Insurance
  You may also be entitled to Maternity and Parental Benefits through Employment Insurance.

After the baby is born

• Registering your new baby 
  Every child born in Manitoba must be registered within 5 days of birth or before the baby leaves the health facility.  As of July 1, 2011, parents can choose to apply for Canada Child Benefits or a Social Insurance Number (SIN) for their baby when they complete the Registration of birth form.
• Birth certificate
  Apply for a birth certificate. 
• Immunization/Vaccination
  Immunize your baby.
• Infant feeding pamphlets

Visiting Programs

• Families First
  Families’ First offers home visiting supports to families with children, from pregnancy to school entry at no cost.

• Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder
  Stop FASD is a voluntary, three-year home visiting/mentoring program designed to help pregnant women who have used alcohol or drugs heavily throughout a pregnancy to avoid the birth of other children affected by alcohol and drug use.

Benefits and subsidies

• Prenatal Benefit
  The benefit ensures women meet their extra nutritional needs during pregnancy. Forms are available from the office below or can be downloaded online.
• Manitoba Child Benefit
  Provides monthly benefits to low-income Manitoba families needing assistance with the cost of raising their children.  This benefit replaces the Child Related Income Supplement Program (CRISP). 
• Manitoba Shelter Benefit
  Helps low income families receiving income assistance to pay their rent.
• Child Care Subsidy
  Helps eligible families with the costs of child care. 
• Child and Family Benefits
  Financial benefits from the Government of Canada.

Adoption and Foster Care

• Adoption
  Find out about the adoption process.
• Post Adoption Registry
  The Post-Adoption Registry provides non-identifying information, search and reunion services to eligible family members who were involved in an adoption that was granted in Manitoba.
• Foster Care
  Find out how to become a foster family.

Parenting

Find day care, parenting guidance, and other links to help in the development of your child.

• Child Care Online Registry
  The Manitoba Child Care Program makes it easier for families to find and apply for licensed child care in Manitoba..
• Triple P – Positive Parenting Program
  Small changes can make a big difference with the Positive Parenting Program.
• Manitoba Parent Zone
  ManitobaParentZone.ca is a dynamic, made-in-Manitoba website designed to provide parents with trusted resources and information to help them with the world’s toughest and most rewarding job – parenting.
• Early childhood development pamphlets
  Download pamphlets on various subjects such as caring for a child with a fever, temper tantrums, early childhood fears and more.
• Early Childhood Development Initiative
  The Early Childhood Development Initiative, in partnership with Healthy Child Manitoba, is designed to help preschoolers get ready for school.
• Parent-Child Coalitions
  Brings parents, community organizations, school divisions and health professionals together through community partnerships across the province to support parents, improve children’s nutrition and literacy and help communities help families.
• Make it Count
  This online guide provides information, activities and tips for parents to engage their children in responsible money management.