Strengthening Parent Support Program

Noah’s Ark is here for families The foundation for better outcomes for children and families occurs when parents feel that they are not alone, are empowered and can share valuable experiences. The Strengthening Parent Support Program (SPSP) links families in the Gippsland area to Parent Groups, training sessions, news & information while promoting self-advocacy Parents and carers who have a child with a disability or developmental delay can meet up with other parents and carers through SPSP. Noah’s Ark, in partnership with the Victorian Government provides SPSP for families with children aged birth - 18 years who live in Gippsland This program is fully funded and free of charge for family members

For more information please contact Yvonne 0430 209 641 – text only [email protected]

All enquiries are confidential

Info List 13.5.2020 Gippsland Hi Gippsland mums, dads & families. With last Sunday being Mother’s Day let me know how you spent it. Did your phone run hot? Did you connect on-line? What is the most memorable thing that you will take from Mother’s Day in the year of Covid-19? I rarely recommend something, preferring instead to provide a selection of information & resources to allow you to decide. I’ll go against that, however, as I have recently come across a kids book which I can recommend. It’s Covid-19 specific & I found it quite lovely: My Hero is You (children’s book specific to Covid-19) https://interagencystandingcommittee.org/system/files/2020- 04/My%20Hero%20is%20You%2C%20Storybook%20for%20Children%20on%20COVID-19.pdf And, if you prefer a short (about 5 minutes) video, take a look at this: https://www.calmkidcentral.com/covid-19/

Both SuppAUT Latrobe ASD support group, & the Inverloch & District ASD support group are parent led groups & both have Facebook groups & ample capacity to provide ongoing support & connection for families during social isolation. If you haven’t made contact yet, & would like to, I recommend you contact Lou from SuppAUT or Tona from I&D ASD SG

1 SuppAUT Latrobe Region Parent/Family Support group for those who have kids with Autism Spectrum Disor- der (ASD) SuppAUT is a parent-run group that aims to support one another as parents /families of a child/children with Autism. The group is open for all, whether your child is a baby, pre- schooler, school aged – specialist school, mainstream school or home-schooled or is an adult – we all need support and can support each other. We share our own experiences, problems, joys, successes and support each other with a listening ear and understanding. For more info or enquiries about the group phone Louise Varsaci 0414540296 or email [email protected] Join our group on Facebook – SuppAUT Autism support group for families in Latrobe Valley, Victoria

Parents, family, carers and friends of children who have an Autism Spectrum Disorder (autism, Asperger’s syndrome, pdd-nos etc) are warmly invited to connect with us Join us on Facebook: Inverloch & District ASD Support Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/221088864683122/

Enquiries: Tona 0407 622 949 [email protected]

Warragul Parent & Carers Group Leongatha / Korumburra Parent & Carers Group

Both the Warragul Parent & Carers Group, & the Leongatha/Korumburra Parent & Carers Group are led by me. Each week I stay in touch with parents from each group & we discuss various topics. So far, we have chatted about the things you do during social isolation that give pleasure, and schooling from home – the good, bad & ugly, recipes you share with your kids, & this week, books – both for your kids & you! If you would like to participate in these discussions, please don’t hesitate to contact me. As we now have no geographic boundaries, you don’t have to be from Baw Baw or South Gippsland. A big change for me in the role of parent support, is thinking holistically about all parents right across Gippsland. The internet, & even phones, are bringing us closer & will continue to do so into the future. Once we come out of social isolation and can once again hold actual Parent Meet- ings, there will be even greater opportunities for those who wish to maintain contact with other parents

Yvonne 0430 209 641 – text only [email protected]

Carer Gateway is an initiative of the Federal Government, providing a place for carers to find things that may be useful. At the Carer Gateway you can access information, support, counselling, fact sheets & much more. Go to - https://www.carergateway.gov.au/ or phone 1800 422 737 Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm local time Go straight to the Department of Human Services website to subscribe to receive updates: https://www.dss.gov.au/disability-and-carers-carers/integrated-carer-support-service- implementation-updates-and-information

The Parenting Research Centre is a place to www.raisingchildren.net.au provides ad-free look for evidence based parenting videos, articles and apps backed by Australian experts answers to parenting questions

https://www.parentingrc.org.au/

The Better Health channel website is provided by the State Government. It currently contains lots of good reading about bushfire impacts and If you would like to know more about the National ongoing tips Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) go to https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/ www.ndis.gov.au

While ACD is working remotely, they are still providing support. If you would like to make contact, you can do so by calling 03 9880 7000. You may need to leave a message but if you let them know your contact details and a good time for ACD, to call a Support Advisor will call back. You can also

3 email [email protected] and request a call back. This is an extremely stressful time for families, and you are welcome to call to talk through your concerns. ACD are also adding updates and information on the ACD website and communicating via Facebook. The website is www.acd.org.au

And here is a message from Karen Dimmock, Chief Executive Officer of ACD 5.5.2020:

I just wanted to update you specifically about students with disability. We know that learning from home is incredibly difficult for many students with disability and families.

I am briefing the Ministers office and meeting with the Department of Education and Training every week. But at this point, other than individual schools demonstrating some flexibility, there is no standard of support to be provided to students with disability.

Our recommendation families and support services is to request flexibility from the school. Some schools are offering options such as:

• Staggered attendance a few days a week. • Siblings being able to attend school. • One on one contact with teachers and tailored learning activities. If you are supporting a child or family that needs this type of support first contact the child’s school.

If the school does not offer flexibility call the DET Parent Advice Line on 1800 338 663 who will follow it up with the regional office.

Our Support Line is also able to help you to advocate for children. We are working from home so to speak with our Support Line email [email protected] with the best day and time we can call you back.

Many thanks Karen

Like many organisations Gippsland Disability Advocacy staff are working from home. We want to assure you that in these challenging times, we continue to be committed to our mission which is to advocate, promote, and be responsive to the welfare, rights and interests of people with disabilities, and to build a more inclusive community. Our work continues and now more than ever we will be responsive to the needs of people with disabilities in Gippsland

With COVID-19, we know it has impacted people with disabilities in many ways. Some of the work we have undertaken in these times includes:

- The medical people with disabilities are encountering, - The stockpiling in our supermarkets and how it has negatively impacted people with disabilities, - Priority Assistance for people with disabilities (via Woolworths)

4 - Home schooling for children with disabilities and the challenges it poses, - The recently announced stimulus package which did not adequately include increases to the DSP Pension, - Connections to community as a result of COVID-19 - The NDIS and where confusion arises with plans as a result of social distancing

All advocacy services remain fully funded & free to access

Through these times of change we can be contacted via email on [email protected] Telephone 0428 041 066 or 0428 971 390

Stay safe and look out for yourself and those around you

• Interchange Gippsland • Interchange Gippsland, your local community-based disability support provider, is still open in Bairnsdale, Wonthaggi and Morwell.

5 • We are providing 1 on 1 support options and support coordination for our participants and their carers that need it. We specialise in flexible and innovative programs based on your needs and interests. We listen closely to your ideas and suggestions and part- ner with you to develop a plan to help you achieve your goals. • Check out our website for the latest updates, contact our office through our central line: 1300 736 765 and our helpful staff will discuss how we can assist you.

• Contact Number 1300 736 765

• Website Address www.icg.asn.au

• Facebook Page Name www.facebook.com/InterchangeGippsland

The mission of the Healthy Mothers Healthy Families program is to support, empower and encourage mothers of a child with a disability to learn about, and create a healthy lifestyle that fosters their own health and well-being, alongside a healthy, happy family life

The workshops and website provide mothers with information, research findings and the shared wisdom of other mothers, to better support mothers to meet their important daily responsibilities caring for their child with a disability and family, whilst also caring for themselves

Healthy Mothers Healthy Families is a research-based program. Over 1500 mothers have contributed to the development and evaluation of the program and material on this website

https://healthymothers-healthyfamilies.com/about

Early Days is a series of FREE workshops for parents, grandparents, and families of young children (0- 7 years) who have an Autism Spectrum Disorder or who are going through the assessment and diagnostic process

This initiative is funded by the Australian Government Department of Social Services through the Helping Children with Autism package

6 The workshops are facilitated by Margaret Clancy who has many years of experience working with young autistic children and their families. Margaret will assist parents to understand the impact of Autism on their child and explore strategies to enable them to understand their child and family

The workshops are either 2 or 3 parts each at 1.5hrs per session. We have limited the registrations to 12 attendees. All participants will need to register - even if/when there are more than 1 participant on the same device. Participants must attend part 1 in order to attend parts 2 and/or 3

We have 2 series of The My Child and Autism workshop & Understanding Behaviour workshop – a morning series (9.30-11.00am) and an evening series (7.30pm-9.00pm). Please note – participants cannot mix and match their attendance to these workshops. If you register for the morning workshop – you can only attend the morning workshops and vice versa

Below are the direct links to Eventbrite for registration to the workshops https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/early-days-understanding-behaviour-workshop-3-parts-20th-21st-27th-may-2020- tickets-101693692572 https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/early-days-progression-to-school-2-part-workshop-tuesday-26th-may-2nd-june- 2020-tickets-101692797896 https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/early-days-encouraging-interaction-through-play-social-learning-2-part-workshop- friday-29th-may-5th-tickets-101692332504

For more information about these workshops and others, please visit our website www.amaze.org.au

Feel free to contact any of us if you have any further queries or require additional information

Kind Regards

Anastasia Petropoulos | Reception/Administration (she/her)

Mon – Thu: 9am – 3pm

24 Drummond St, Carlton VIC 3053 | PO Box 374, Carlton South VIC 3053

T 03 9657 1601 | F 03 9639 4955 | E [email protected]

Save the Children are producing a weekly Community Connect newsletter for the Children, Young People & Families of the East Gippsland region. Take a look at this week’s edition, which contains items of interest for all families, not only from East Gippsland. It is filled with lots of activities & things to do. To see more go to https://www.dropbox.com/s/praqlpnhg3ar8hs/NEWSLETTER%20Ed%204.pdf?dl=0

Would you like a free copy of the latest Voice magazine from Down Syndrome Victoria? Available to all families of Down syndrome support networks (subject to availability). Please email your name and postal address to Helen More [email protected] by 5pm Thursday14th May . Voice has already been posted to DSV members

With the announcement from the Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews regarding the slight easing of restrictions, City in the Community and our CALD Carers wellbeing team are very keen and excited to get back out into the community and reaching out to as many of Carer Groups as possible as we understand lock down and isolation would have been a difficult time.

As we continue to await the professional advice from government and health officials as to when, where and how this will look, I have attached an expression of interest form to this email if you and your carer group would be interested in participating in this program once regulations allow. [note from Yvonne – contact me for expression of interest form]

I once again encourage you to join our CITC CALD CARERS Facebook group, where we have weekly live physical activity sessions, post updates on the program and it is also a forum for carers to talk and share their experiences. https://www.facebook.com/groups/CITC.CALD.CARERS/

City in the Community look forward to working with you.

8 Thank you, kind regards,

Cara

These sessions have been developed with the support of the Latrobe Physiotherapy Department and aimed at increasing the physical activity of carers. They incorporate gentle strength building exercises and stretches and where possible some football themed exercises using balls. Sessions run for around 30-40 minutes, ideally over a 6-8 week period (this allows us to monitor and see any progress made) and be adapted to the age and capacity of the participants as well as the venue provided. The sessions are FREE and if needed we can also provide and interpreter.

The link: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/understanding-intellectual-disability-3-session-webinar-series- zoom-tickets-97007049697

Greetings from ParentZone Gippsland!

During this very challenging time we want all parents and carers to know that ParentZone are still here to support our Gippsland families. In light of the fact that we are no longer able to deliver groups and provide face-to-face consultations we have put together some resources for you to use at home. You can request our second edition of ParentZone @ Home booklet. We hope you enjoy the activities and find the resources helpful. Please let us know what you think, what you would like to see, and any tips you would like to share with others.

Do you know other parents that may be interested in receiving resources from ParentZone? They can email [email protected] to add their name to our mailing list.

We hope you stay safe. From the ParentZone Gippsland Team ☺

13 West Gippsland Libraries present Story Time On Line Take a look at this resource, where local staff from West Gippsland Libraries read Australian stories for children

https://www.wgrlc.vic.gov.au/for-kids/story-time-online/

Good Shephard have advised they have just received an amount of additional funding for No Interest Loans for those with COVID impacts

These loans will be given for rent and other bills which is an expansion on their loans for white goods

Good Shephard Morwell works across Gippsland and they are doing all their assessments by phone

The program will be up and running shortly https://goodmoney.com.au/