New parents in Casey and surrounds have specialised support closer to home, with a new Early Parenting Centre now open in Clyde North.
Health Infrastructure Minister Mary-Anne Thomas toured the new multi-million-dollar facility in January.
“Becoming a parent is an exciting time, but it can also be stressful and difficult too,” she said.
“That is why we are supporting families across the south-east.”
Designed to feel like a home away from home, the centre will support families with children aged up to four years of age.
They’ll receive expert advice and care, including support with sleep and settling, feeding, and extra care for babies and toddlers with additional needs.
Sleep and settling is one of the biggest challenges facing new parents, with about half of Victorian parents who use Early Parenting Centres reporting problems with their child’s sleep.
This can lead to post-natal depression, isolation and stress for parents and affect a child’s behavioural, mental and physical development.
“This will be such a welcomed centre for new parents and their families in the Casey area – a free service with tailored support and specialist care,” Bass MP Jordan Crugnale said.
The new centre features 10 residential family units and four day-stay places, providing both short-term and longer residential stay programs to improve the health, wellbeing and developmental outcomes of children.
The residential family units are designed with flexibility in mind and support different family structures.
Families can bring multiple children or accommodate an older sibling, grandparent, or other carer during their stay.
The purpose-built centre also includes kitchen and dining areas, playrooms, and outdoor play areas, delivered in partnership with Monash Health.
“The completion of this new Early Parenting Centre will be a lifeline for families in the south-east who need that little bit of extra support,” South-Eastern Metropolitan MP Michael Galea said.
