Communications for Families

Ottawa Public Health’s (OPH) Party Safer program offers tools and resources to help reduce harms related to substance use and support safer experiences for youth.

With prom season, festivals, camping trips and summer events coming up, now is a great time to help young people plan ahead and stay safer.

Whether they’re building their resume, attending an event, or volunteering, youth can benefit from the skills and knowledge offered through OPH’s Digital Party Safer Kit.

OPH’s Digital Party Safer Kit is packed with free online trainings, tips, print materials, social media tools, and community resources.  Please help spread the word to stay informed and safer - before, during, and after a night out or event: 

• Free online trainings available 24/7 (participants receive a certificate of completion – can be added to a resume) 
• Print posters, fact sheets, and pocket cards 
• Learn about:
  • the effects of commonly used substances, how to access naloxone and how to reduce health risks using party safer tips. Party Safer Tips are good discussion points, and the tips are for everyone, so share with friends and family!
  • substance use health, mental health and violence prevention and bystander intervention resources

 Enjoy the season, Party Safer and follow us @OttawaHealthSante for the latest Party Safer news. 

There are many health benefits to being active and enjoying the outdoors; however, in areas suitable for ticks (such as wooded areas and tall grasses), there is a risk of tick-borne illnesses. Preventing tick bites is key.

As part of ongoing efforts, Ottawa Public Health monitors tick activity and raises awareness of prevention measures. We encourage schools to share simple steps with students, staff, and families to help reduce risk during outdoor activities:

• Apply an approved insect repellent (DEET or icaridin) when appropriate
• Wear long sleeves, pants, and closed shoes; tuck pants into socks when possible
• Stay on maintained trails and grassy play areas, and be mindful near wooded edges
• Do a “full body” tick check after outdoor time (especially head, armpits, and behind knees)

OPH’s website provides comprehensive information, including symptoms, risk areas, prevention tips, and what to do if a tick is found. It also features a short video on how to protect yourself from tick bites and a helpful factsheet (available in multiple languages) for staff and families.

Access all resources here:

https://www.ottawapublichealth.ca/en/public-health-topics/lyme-disease.aspx

Don’t Miss Out on Your Free HPV Vaccine! 

Grade 11 and 12 students — time is running out!

If you missed one or more doses of the HPV vaccine in grade 7, you still have time to get caught up. You can get the HPV vaccine at no cost:

• until August 31, 2026, for grade 12 students
• until August 31, 2027, for grade 11 students

HPV can cause cancer – the vaccine helps protect you.

Here’s how to get protected:

• Make sure you’ve received all doses of the HPV vaccine (2 or 3).
• If you haven’t, talk to your health care provider (family doctor or nurse practitioner), or visit an Ottawa Public Health clinic to get vaccinated. 

Protect yourself now.

Learn more about HPV and the vaccine.

In Ontario, children must have certain vaccines to attend school. This is required by law. Children must be vaccinated against nine diseases, or have an approved valid exemption from the Ministry of Health, which has been sent to Ottawa Public Health.
Parents and guardians are responsible for keeping their child’s vaccine record up to date with Ottawa Public Health (OPH). When your child receives a vaccine, doctors and nurses do not automatically send this information to OPH. Parents or guardians must report it.

Explore the links below for more immunization:

• • What parents and guardians must do for school attendance
  • How to report your child’s vaccines to OPH
  • Where to receive vaccines in the community
  • Which vaccines are needed and how exemptions work
  • Where to find safe and trusted vaccine information

If you have questions, or if you are unsure what your child needs, OPH is here to help. You can call 613-580-6744, Monday to Friday, 9 am to noon and 1 pm to 4 pm.

Thank you for helping to keep our school community healthy.