Family+supports

**Parent Child Mother Goose ** Community West has partnered with MacKillop Family Services ParentsLink Program to run a Mother Goose Program commencing on Wednesday the 13th of Oct, 10am – 12noon for 8 weeks. This program is for mother's and/or carer's of young children between the ages of 0-4 years. The Program encourages connections through nursery rhymes, story telling and songs to help parents build healthy & respectful relationships with their children. This program is FREE and morning tea will be provided. The Brimbank Venue is to be confirmed. **PARKAS** Community West has partnered with Supporting Children after Separation Program to run a PARKAS Program commencing Monday the 11th of Oct for 8 weeks. The program aims to raise parent's awareness about the impact of family violence on themselves and their children. The program uses a combination of artwork, games, music, exercises and group discussion. The group for children will run on Monday’s 12:30-2pm, and the group for Mothers on Tuesdays 12:30-2:30pm. Both groups will be held at the Westvale Community Centre, 45 Kings Rd, St Albans. This program is FREE and morning tea is provided for the children's group and light refreshments for the mother's group. Dates and times subject to change. For further details contact Filena Nyetam, Family Programs Worker at Community West on 9363 1811. Referral forms for the programs can be found on [|www.communitywest.org.au] by following the links to Family Programs **Whitelion Young Women's Support Service** The Young Women’s Support Service (YWSS) at Whitelion is a responsive andcreative service for young women who have been involved with the Child Protectionand/or Youth Justice Systems. Good Shepherd Y and FS has run a group for a number of years, focussing primarily on young, isolated women under 25 years, with preschool children, in our area. We provide support and counselling outside the group for any specific issues which may arise at this time such as return to study, financial issues, managing children’s behaviour. If you could promote this group through your networks it would be very much appreciated. Attached is the brochure for any interested clients, or professionals who can just ring to make a referral. Offers families and young people assistance when a yooung person is considering leaving home for the 'first time' or has recently left home due to conflict. Young people who either live, work or study in the areas of Maribyrnong, Brimbank or Moonee Valley between the age of 12 -18.
 * Young Mums group, Building Blocks in the Brimbank area.**
 * Western Reconnect**

PARKAS is an 8 week program for **children aged between 8 -12** years and their mother's or carer's who have **experienced family violence.**
 * PARKAS Parents Accepting Responsibility Kids Are Safe**.

//Do you work with newly arrived families?// For culturally diverse families, understanding the family law system in relation to separation and children can be difficult. //What happens when families separate?// Arrange a free information session at your organisation or community group and find out about: · The changes to the Family Law Act and what they mean for separating families //· What happens if parents want to go to court?// · Family dispute resolution and how it works · The impact of separation on children · Services offered at the Melbourne Family Relationship Centre
 * Melbourne Family Relationship Centre**

Sessions can be tailored to meet the needs of your organisation.

For further information contact Hilda on 03) 8625 3666 or email :

hquiroga@melbournefrc.org.au

Supported play groups and parenting programs.
 * Activities for children in Brimbank 2010**

StrongBonds, developed by the Jesuit Social Services, is a website with resources for parents and carers of young people, and for workers who are supporting young people in a family context.
 * Improving connections between young people and their families.**

Help sheets are available in English, Arabic and Vietnamese on topics ranging from the role of child protection services and the justice system to dealing with health and wellbeing issues. Fact sheets are available at [].