At Portage's Mother and Child drug addiction rehabilitation centre, the therapeutic treatment process has been designed and adapted to allow the residents to stay close to their children. After having breakfast together and getting the kids ready for the day, the mothers bring them upstairs to Portage's on-site daycare, La Ribambelle.
Throughout the day, the children are cared for by Early Childhood Educators and Specialised Educators, who help the children learn, develop, and work through any behavioural issues or developmental delays that may have been caused by parental substance abuse.
At the end of their day in therapy, the mothers go pick up their children at La Ribambelle and spend their evenings with them, before putting them to bed for another day.
During this quality time together, the mothers develop parenting skills, which help facilitate the transition back into society once they have completed their treatment.