More help for families, fathers in Cafs programs

CHILD and Family Services Ballarat (Cafs) will next month launch a new suite of free parenting programs designed to support parents, carers and fathers throughout the Central Highlands.

They will be led by the Cafs Early Help Team and will focus on strengthening family relationships and improving communication.

The programs are also aimed at building emotional understanding and creating safe, nurturing environments for children of all ages.

Early Help Team leader Taite McNamara said the programs are an important investment in local families.

“Parenting can be deeply rewarding, but it can also be incredibly tough,” Ms McNamara said.

“These programs give parents and carers a safe, supportive space to learn new skills, connect with others, and better understand their children’s emotional needs.

“We’re especially pleased to offer programs tailored specifically for dads/carers, acknowledging the critical role they play in their children’s lives.”

Programs for fathers are the Dad’s Toolkit and Dad’s Tuning Into Kids.

Dad’s Toolkit will be an eight-week program starting on 11 February and will be a practical, strengths-based course supporting fathers/carers in building confidence, communication skills and positive connections with their children.

Dad’s Tuning Into Kids will run for seven weeks starting on 19 February and will be free for fathers and male carers.

It will be evidence-based and will help fathers and carers understand their children’s emotional needs while strengthening trust and connection.

Parenting programs will be called Tuning into Teens, Circle of Security, Tuning into Kids, and Tuning into Toddlers (TINTO).

Tuning into Teens will run for six weeks from 9 February and will be free for parents and carers who want to better understand and respond to the emotional needs of their teenagers.

The Circle of Security will be an eight-week program starting on 11 February and will be delivered in partnership with Grampians Health, CatholicCare and The Salvation Army.

It will also be free and will aim to help parents and carers understand their children’s need for a safe and secure attachment.

The six-week Tuning into Kids program starts on 11 February and will be delivered in partnership with The Salvation Army.

It will be a free, emotion-focused program helping parents and carers build strong, trusting relationships with their young children.

Starting on 16 February, the free Tuning into Toddlers (TINTO) program will run for six weeks and will help parents and carers understand their toddlers’ big emotions and growing independence.

For more information, or to register, head to cafs.org.au or call 1800 692 237.