Monday July 17th, 2017.
Anglicare Victoria has welcomed Victorian Government funding of $2 million to build a new, shared community centre, ParentZone at Pakenham Hills.
“The announcement by the Minister for Education James Merlino, will benefit Cardinia parents and children and ensure they will have the access to essential services in one location,” said Anglicare Victoria Chief Executive Paul McDonald.
“Parenting can be stressful and all parents need someone to talk to, or some extra information or support every now and then, but often don’t know where to go.
“ParentZone at Pakenham Hills is about taking that support and information out into the community where parents are, rather than making them go out and find it.’’
Mr Merlino announced the funding during a visit to Pakenham Hills Primary School this morning with the new centre expected to be completed by early 2019.
The centre is a partnership between the Department of Education and Training, Cardinia Shire Council, Pakenham Hills Primary School and Anglicare Victoria.
The new facility will be co-designed by parents and students. It will be shared between the local school community and members of the broader community, as well as contain the headquarters of Anglicare Victoria’s ParentZone Parenting Education programs and include two classrooms for regular use by Pakenham Hills Primary School.
The facility will be home to supported and community playgroups, Maternal Child and Health services, literacy and tutoring programs, school psychologists and parent drop in sessions. It will also link people who need extra help to services that can assist with family violence, mental health or drug and alcohol issues.
Each year, Anglicare Victoria’s ParentZone program helps more than 3000 Victorian parents, carers and grandparents with its free parenting programs.
One of the most common reasons parents seek ParentZone’s help is to stop yelling at their children and to be calmer at home. There are also programs to help parents communicate with their teenagers or build their children’s resilience.
Recent evaluation found that almost 90 per cent of family interactions and children’s behaviour had improved after taking part in the program.
The video, Parentzone Parenting Outcomes, has more information about the program and parents’ experience of taking part. Information of upcoming sessions around Melbourne is available on the Anglicare Victoria website.
Cardinia Shire Mayor Cr Brett Owen thanked the Victorian Government and the Department of Education and Training for the funding from the Shared Facility Fund.
“I am delighted to celebrate this announcement. With this funding support we will be able to establish a shared service hub that will sustain and enrich the connectedness and health of families in our rapidly growing community.
“It is with great anticipation and enthusiasm that I look forward to seeing the very real benefits to our community this ground-breaking project will deliver,” Cr Owen said.
Further enquiries contact:
media@anglicarevic.org.au
Tel: 0419 035 117
