The Andrews Labor Government is making it easier for families to access care by investing in a new online parenting program to support families and children with emerging mental health and wellbeing needs.
The free program will equip parents and carers of children, from birth to 11-years-old, with skills to respond positively and effectively to early mental health challenges, ensuring both children and parents are supported during early childhood development.
The Labor Government is now seeking submissions to engage a service provider to design and deliver the new program.
The successful provider(s) will work with the government to develop a program that is accessible, safe and inclusive for all Victorian families, including single parent families, families experiencing social and economic disadvantage, LGBTQI+ families and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families.
The delivery of this program is part of the government’s response to the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System, which recognised the importance of evidence-based programs to support the mental health and wellbeing of parents, carers, children and families.
This program builds on a $1 million investment last year to expand Triple P Positive Parenting Program statewide, supporting more than 20,000 Victorian families whose children are facing anxiety – whether that’s due to the pandemic or other triggers.
The program consists of three online modules aimed at parents of children aged 0-16 experiencing anxiety, anger and depression.
This in an important step in the Labor Government’s roll-out of supports for parents and families that meet their mental health and wellbeing needs at every level, across a range of services, across the entire state.
This year’s Budget funding of $1.3 billion for brand-new initiatives means work is underway on more than 90 per cent of recommendations from the Royal Commission and builds on last year’s record investment of $3.8 billion.
Submissions for program delivery close on Thursday 9 June 2022 – the service provider or consortium will be appointed in July 2022, with service delivery to commence by the end of 2022.
These can be submitted at tenders.vic.gov.au/tender/view?id=238178
Quotes attributable to Minister for Mental Health James Merlino
“Parents have a lot on their plate and managing the complexity of children’s mental health can add significantly stress – this free program will make sure parents don’t face this journey on their own.”
“Delivering an evidence-based mental health parenting program shows that we’re not only implementing the Royal Commission’s recommendations, but we’re supporting Victorian children and families with the resources that suit them.”
Reviewed 03 June 2022