Vulnerable infants will be getting extra help from the province with a new project that provides support to at-risk families in Calgary.

The $1-million Alberta Vulnerable Infant Response Team will help parents dealing with challenges such as addictions, mental health, family violence and poverty.

“Having a baby changes a person in ways nothing else could. When dealing with these complex issues, many people are not prepared,” said Yvonne Fritz, minister of Children and Youth Services.

Starting at the end of April, a team of four nurses, four child and family services caseworkers, and one city police officer will work around the clock to put at-risk families with infants in touch with the appropriate resources and services.

The goal is to intervene and provide parenting classes, addiction counselling and other services to families before a child under three months of age gets hurt.

The project was launched after officials noticed a significant increase in cases where an infant was put at risk.

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