20/5/02
Community Development Minister Sheila McHale said parenting information would be made more accessible to the families who need it most by offering it through existing venues such as playgroups, day care centres, community centres, neighbourhood houses and family centres.
Ms McHale said parenting information centres in shopping centres would be closed and replaced by parenting information officers based at community venues.
"By providing parenting information at venues offering other family services, parents will be able to link more easily into other support services they need," she said.
The new approach to parenting information will include parenting information officers working with and in communities, linking parents and carers with existing services.
"So instead of having parenting information available in a small number of shopping centres spread across the State, we will have skilled and trained people working in a range of community based venues," Ms McHale said.
She also said parenting information officers would be able to target families in greatest need.
"Families who often need the greatest help are not the ones frequenting shopping centres," the Minister said.
"They do however visit community centres to receive other forms of assistance."
Ms McHale said mobile services would continue to be a critical part in delivering parenting information in rural and remote areas.
"Parenting information is a major component of a new early years development program launched last week as part of the Gallop Government's $10million Family Strength program," she said.
Under the Gallop Government's community development model, communities and families will play a much greater role in determining the parenting information services they need for their area.
"A consistent thread throughout the latest research is that parent and community involvement is essential in achieving positive results for children," Ms McHale said.
"Furthermore, programs must actively involve parents and take into account the principles of child development and learning.
"The current parenting information centres were set up in 1995 when parents were still reluctant to seek information to help them with their parenting.
"With parenting now firmly on the community agenda, it is timely to look at how information can be delivered to parents who most need it to help them raise their children."
The Minister said the new approach would be a partnership of Government and local communities and enable people to access services in their local area.
Minister's office: 9213 6900
