Funding to help families in all forms

A child and family service provider is celebrating National Families Week with recently announced funding for initiatives.

Cafs’ efforts to support families in all their forms was enhanced on Wednesday 6 May, with Respect Victoria funding committed to its For Baby’s Sake and Primary Connections: Respectful and Safe Relationships in Middle Childhood programs.

Primary Connections will work with eight-to-12-year-old children and their caregivers to create safe, respectful and healthy relationships.

Meanwhile, For Baby’s Sake will provide therapeutic support to both parents from pregnancy through to the first two years.

Delivered for the first time outside the UK, the program will address trauma, reduce risk of family violence and strengthen nurturing parent-infant relationships.

Cafs chief executive officer Wendy Sturgess said that for her organisation, National Families Week was about recognising there was no single definition of family.

“Families can look very different, by culture, structure, experience or circumstance, but every family deserves access to care, connection and practical support when they need it,” she said.

Cafs has invited the community during National Families Week to reflect on moments that assist families to feel supported, connected and safe.

With the theme Every Family, Everywhere, National Families Week began Monday 11 May. It will run until Sunday 17 May.

“Families don’t need to be in crisis to benefit from support,” Sturgess said.

“Sometimes having a conversation, learning a new skill or knowing you’re not alone can make all the difference. Families week is a reminder that support can and should be available everywhere families are.”

Families can learn more about Cafs’ family and parenting support services at cafs.org.au or by phoning 5337 3333.

Cafs has bases in Ballarat, Bacchus Marsh, Ararat and Daylesford.

More information about National Families Week at nationalfamiliesweek.org.au