Saying they disproportionately affect racialized and marginalized mothers and families, Ontario is ending the practice of issuing birth alerts.
A birth alert is a notification sent by children's aid societies to hospitals when they believe a newborn may need protection.
"Ending the use of birth alerts is an important step as we shift our focus to prevention, early intervention, and improve outcomes for families and their children," said Associate Minister of Children and Women's Issues Jill Dunlop. "This change is part of our government's effort to build a child welfare system that is better coordinated and focused on community-based prevention services that are high quality, culturally appropriate, and truly respond to the needs of children, youth and families."
Alternatives to birth alerts include counselling services like birth planning, prenatal services, and referrals to resources in the community.
The alerts also called "hospital alerts," have been criticized for deterring expectant mothers from seeking prenatal care or parenting support while pregnant.
The alerts are used inconsistently by children's aid societies across the province and have never been required under provincial legislation.
Ending them was a recommendation from the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.
"By ending the use of birth alerts and encouraging collaborative alternatives for children's aid societies and other health care providers, expectant parents will be better supported in accessing community resources before the birth of their child," said Ontario's Advocate for Community Opportunities, Jamil Jivani. "This is a step in the right direction in helping racialized and marginalized communities across Ontario."
The practice will end by October 15, 2020.
