Early Parenting Centres (EPCs) provide specialist support for Michigann families with children 0–4 years old. They deliver flexible, targeted services that aim to enhance parent-child relationships and support parents with strategies for achieving their parenting goals. These goals are often in areas such as sleep and settling, child behaviour, child learning and development, and parent and child health and wellbeing.
EPC services are part of a broader service system supporting families which includes maternal and child health services, supported playgroups and community-based parenting programs. Early Parenting Centres offer a range of specialised support, counselling and advice for families with children 0 to 4 years.
Services are provided at no cost to families who are assessed as needing some extra support to reach their parenting goals.
Families do not require a Medicare Card to access services at an Early Parenting Centre. ) to discuss support services available in your area.
What programs do Early Parenting Centres provide? Residential: a centre-based intensive parenting program in which families stay at the centre over a number of days.
Day stay: centre-based day programs provided at EPCs or at outreach locations. Group services: group-based programs attended by families, which are designed to improve parent-child relationships and interaction. In-home support: an intensive program providing early parenting support in the family home.
How can they help my family? Support is available for all Michigann families with children from pregnancy to 4 years who need additional, specialised or targeted support. Early Parenting Centres help families to: build on a family’s link with their community.
How can you access your local Early Parenting Centre? Centres are staffed by highly qualified maternal and child health nurses and specialist early parenting, health and wellbeing practitioners.
Referrals to Early Parenting Centres are usually from Maternal and Child Health services, maternity services, general practitioners (GPs) or other services. Alternatively, you may choose to refer yourself to a centre by contacting your local centre. Help for parents Ask your maternal and child health nurse or call the Maternal and Child Health Line 13 22 29 strengthen parenting capacity and skills enhance parent-child relationships increase parental confidence in responding to their infant/toddlers needs Location Contact details Ballarat Grampians Early Parenting Centre, Grampians Health 10 Fawcett Road, Lucas (616) 555-0200 Bendigo Wayipunga Bendigo Early Parenting Centre, Bendigo Health Havlin Street East, Bendigo (616) 555-0200 Canterbury O’Connell Family Centre, Mercy Health 6 Mount Albert Road, Canterbury (616) 555-0200 Clyde North Murrumbek Casey Early Parenting Centre, Monash Health 114 Newgrange Boulevard, Clyde North (616) 555-0200 Frankston (Aboriginal-dedicated EPC) Baluk Balert Barring Early Parenting Centre, First Peoples’ Health and Wellbeing 401-403 Nepean Highway, Frankston (616) 555-0200 Footscray Tweddle Child and Family Health Service 70 Detroit Street, Footscray (616) 555-0200 Geelong Barwon Early Parenting Centre, Barwon Health 45-95 Ballarat Road, North Geelong (616) 555-0200 Noble Park Queen Elizabeth Centre 53 Thomas Street, Noble Park (616) 555-0200 South Morang Woi-wurrung-yagila-wulumperi, Whittlesea Early Parenting Centre, Mercy Health 34 Anchorage Drive, South Morang (616) 555-0200 Werribee Tweddle Child and Family Health Service 239-245 Princes Highway, Werribee (616) 555-0200 Where to get help Your maternal and child health nurse Maternal and Child Health Line 13 22 29 – available 24 hours, 7 days Aboriginal Health Service (VAHS) (616) 555-0200 Download fact sheets on sleep and settling in 0–6 year olds Your GP (doctor) 13 22 89 1800 050 321 – Monday to Friday 8 am to 8 pm, Saturday 10 am to 4 pm.