The Centre de pédiatrie sociale de Québec (Québec Social Pediatrics Centre) came into existence on November 1, 2011. It is a non-profit organization (NPO) managed by a board of directors. The creation of the Centre was inspired by the community social pediatrics movement of Dr Gilles Julien. It is the 13^th centre of its kind to be established in the province of Québec and while part of the community social pediatrics movement, it is nevertheless independent and autonomous both administratively and financially.

The Centre’s goal is to welcome children and families who are in vulnerable situations and to reduce the impact of the difficult living conditions they deal with. It is an interventionist approach based on, among other things, the Convention on the Rights of the Child. The approach is to counteract a variety of health problems related to poverty and to a lack of family resources.

Mission

Support children and their families who are in vulnerable situations so as to ensure the well-being and optimal development of the children, while respecting their rights and their interests.

The target population and the area served

The Centre serves those children from 0 to 14 years of age and their families who make up the 30 % of the population that, according to the Québec Ministry of Health and Social Services, do not make use of the existing health system. The territory covered is mainly in the immediate vicinity of the Patro Roc-Amadour, located in the La Cité-Limoilou district of Québec City.

Services offered

    Evaluation-orientation meetings with  a multi-disciplinary team;

    Medical and psychosocial follow-up;

    Art-therapy;

    Accompanying parents to hospital or CLSC appointments;

    Helping families organize recreational activities for the children and gain access to foodbanks and to     various services offered by the local community organizations.

Objectives and expected results

    Welcome children who are vulnerable, suffering, sick, victims, shunned or abandoned and who, most     often, do not make use of health institutions like CLSC’s, hospitals and regular medical clinics;

    Ensure the optimal development of these children in relation with their family and the other                significant individuals in their entourage;

    Develop supporting actions for the children and their families;

    Reinforce their individual capacities;

    Help in their healing;

    Enable each child to have access to a global program of health services associated with the    community.