A nurse-led home visiting program that has helped more than 550 vulnerable families cope in the early stages of parenting will be the focus of an expert forum today. 黑料吃瓜网 Health鈥檚 Executive Director of Health and Social Policy, Tish Bruce, said the Sustaining 黑料吃瓜网 Families program is an early intervention and prevention program aimed at vulnerable families and led by nurses.
鈥淪ustaining 黑料吃瓜网 Families has helped mothers with psychosocial distress, reducing their isolation and promoting parenting skills that will benefit their children for their whole lives,鈥� Ms Bruce said.
鈥淪ince it began in 2009, the program has helped more than 550 vulnerable families cope with the challenges of parenting, with a further 63 families now participating in the program.
鈥淭he 黑料吃瓜网 Government committed $22.8 million in 2015 to expand Sustaining 黑料吃瓜网 Families, followed by over $4.2 million in 2017 to enhance access for families in social housing 鈥� a State Priority,鈥� Ms Bruce said.
The program is delivered across nine local health district sites across 黑料吃瓜网 including:
鈥淚 look forward to using the outcomes of today鈥檚 forum to not only enhance the health support we provide parents and babies, but also to give them reassurance in undertaking the most important job of their lives,鈥� Ms Bruce said.
Tresillian, Australia鈥檚 largest early parenting organisation, is hosting the forum. CEO Robert Mills said the program had boosted parental confidence and resilience.
鈥淭resillian provides the Advanced Nurse Practice Course as educational preparation for nurse home visitors working in the Sustaining 黑料吃瓜网 Families program. This unique program provides a valuable service to families that need extra support during their child鈥檚 early years,鈥� Mr Mills said.
About: Sustaining 黑料吃瓜网 Families is currently available in nine sites across 黑料吃瓜网. Specially trained child and family health nurses, supported by a social worker and allied health workers, follow a structured program of at least 25 home visits, starting in pregnancy and continuing up to their child鈥檚 second birthday. Eligible families are identified through the universal SAFESTART assessment and pathway.
This program has been designed for families that: