VISION:

Communities where all children discover and develop skills to live the best life possible.

MISSION:

The Parent Resource Centre (PRC) helps build confident, resilient families in Ottawa. We provide engaging high-quality programs, a wide variety of social services and supportive resources for children, youth, parents and caregivers in a welcoming environment.

Our focus is on children and the families who love them.  We are a not-for-profit charitable organization.

In 1975, parents and educators of preschoolers in the Ottawa-Carleton region set-up a pilot project through the Ministry of National Health and Welfare (now Health Canada) to establish the Parent Preschool Resource Centre of the National Capital Region Inc.  The goal of the pilot project was to provide support and information for stay-at-home parents.

Over four decades later, operating as a registered charity, the Parent Resource Centre (PRC) has expanded to meet the evolving needs of Ottawa area families.  We are recognized in Ottawa as a city-wide hub, offering early and middle years services for children, and specialized supports for parents and caregivers.  As a natural extension of our services, we also develop targeted training for community professionals and service providers who work directly with children and families.

By engaging with children, parents and caregivers, supporting early learning and development, and connecting families with resources, PRC facilitates lifelong learning and transformation.  Our highly skilled PRC staff use relevant, relatable approaches and proven best practices to increase the quality of life for children and their families.

EarlyON Programs

Since our inception, PRC has served tens of thousands of children and families.  In 2018, PRC became one of Ontario’s EarlyON Child and Family Centres.  Today, thousands of children, parents, and caregivers visit our EarlyON playgroups and baby groups each year.  With funds received from the City of Ottawa, we continue to offer many popular programs and services, including (though not limited to):

Family Resilience Program

For over four decades, PRC has offered specialized support services to address the needs of families in our community who require parenting support.

PRC’s Family Resilience Program provides client-centered, trauma-informed parenting support services, to parents who are experiencing persistent multiple barriers, improve their mental health, acquire knowledge and build confidence so they can parent more effectively.   We support vulnerable high-risk families (parents and children aged 0-18) who are not able to access mainstream parenting services.  PRC’s Family Resilience Program includes:

  • One-on-one appointments and home visits with members of our In-Home Parent Support team
  • Specialized, attachment-based parenting groups (e.g., Circle of Security)
  • Parent Support Line (because all parents have questions)
  • Emergency Baby Cupboard (free access to emergency baby supplies, e.g., diapers, wipes, etc.)
  • Advocacy/collaboration with other service providers

Training for Front Line Professionals

PRC offers mental health support through workshops and training to community professionals who work with children.  These professional and personal development sessions provide peer networking opportunities, skills building, problem solving and practical application of new early learning frameworks and materials.

Community Engagement & Events

PRC is actively involved in community engagement.  From our participation at the Parent and Child Expo, to engagement in activities that support Family Literacy, and promotion of our parent and child events, PRC provides opportunities for Ottawa-area families to connect, explore and learn throughout the year.  Our annual Power of Play event in Strathcona Park each June is a free community celebration of the benefits of PLAY — for children of all ages!

Check out our PRC Events & Workshops Calendar for upcoming events near you!

Fundraising

PRC engages in activities to raise funding dollars for some of our specialized and critical support services. Our priorities include our Community Parent Cupboard (supplies for families facing crisis), our Toy and Book Lending Libraries and our Parent Support Line.  If you would like to DONATE to PRC to help support any or all of these important initiatives, please get in touch!

PRC at Work

Ultimately, all of the work we do at the Parent Resource Centre is focused on children and the families who love them.  We help children discover and develop physical, cognitive, emotional, and social skills that will enable them to live the best life possible, regardless of barriers they may face.  AND, we provide parents and caregivers with the tools, supports and services they need to create safe and healthy environments for their children to thrive and grow.

Thank you for your interest in the Parent Resource Centre.  We look forward to seeing you soon!