HUME CITY COUNCIL SUPPORTING PARENTS – DEVELOPING CHILDREN · HUME CITY COUNCIL SUPPORTING PARENTS – DEVELOPING CHILDREN NEWSLETTER 3 Ebtesam’s Story One mother, of Arabic descent,

HUME CITY COUNCILSUPPORTING PARENTS ndash DEVELOPING CHILDREN NEWSLETTER

1

HUME CITY COUNCILSUPPORTING PARENTS ndash DEVELOPING CHILDRENWelcome to the third newsletter for the Supporting Parents-Developing Children Project (SPDC) We are nearly at the end of the second year of the three year Project and in this edition we will bring you the stories of the parents children and bilingual workers that participate in the SPDC Project

SPDC Attendance DataThe data emerging from the SPDC programs clearly illustrates the popularity of the programs for culturally and linguistically diverse families in Southern Hume

This edition of the newsletter contains the data for the period 1 July 2012 to 31 December 2012

In the six month period 114 adults and 161 children aged 0-5 years attended the eight SPDC funded playgroups with 67 families attending three times or more

The tables below highlight the overwhelming success of the nine funded SPDC hubs in engaging parents and children in early years school based and adult learning activities

Program Adults Children 0-5

Early Years programs eg Mother Goose Bilingual Storytimes Tumbling Stories OT and Speech sessions 3 year old activity Storysacks program

230 337

Seher Hume Libraries bilingual storyteller and VICSEG bi-cultural worker and daughter Nevra

Table 1 Represents early years program attendance excluding playgroups


2

CertificateoneinFoodHandlingconductedby Visy Cares Learning Centre in partnership with Meadow Heights early years hub ndash completed by 14 parents and

Introduction to Workplace Practices Hospitality course conducted by Banksia Gardens Community Services in partnership with Holy Child early years hub ndash completed by 10 parents

TRAINING One of the aims of the SPDC Project is to support the development of training and learning pathways for parents

Partnerships between the hubs and registered training organisations have led to training courses being offered to parents in the hubs Some of these include

Training amp Learning Pathways

Training Certificate 3rsquos and Diplomarsquos in Childrens Services were the most common courses for parents to enrol in outside of hub courses

Learning Activities Parenting courses occupational therapist on transition issues womenrsquos leadership training and play based learning

Employment As child care workers and playgroup leaders

VolunteeringIn playgroups and other SPDC programs

Meadows Primary School placed 42 Hume Volunteer Gateway referrals in hub and school programs

Total 97 103 7 51

Programs Adults Children 0-5

Children 5-12

Social support programs egCommunity kitchens (HCC) Zumba classes Saver Plus (BSLfinancialmanagement)familysupportgroup(MCM)

221 25 35

Other adult learning classes are very popular in the hubs as shown by the attendance data below

ESL classes-90 parents and Computer classes-76 parents

Programs Children 0-5

Children 5-12

Homework clubs 16 NA 153Breakfast clubs 21 NA 152

Table 2 Outlines the number of parents that commenced learning training employment or volunteering during the period 1 July 2012 to the 31 December 2012

Table 3 Represents the number of parents and children involved in a range of social support and recreational programs at the hubs

Table 4 Represents the number of school based activities that engage parents with some attending breakfast clubs and homework clubs with their children


3

Ebtesamrsquos StoryOne mother of Arabic descent Ebtesam attended all of the Broadmeadows Valley Primary School (BVPS) early years hub Tuesday Topic forums (information sessions on topics of interest to parents such as nutrition) and wasabletosignificantlyimproveherconfidenceand trust within the school community and with other parents

EbtesamcompletedherCertificate3inChildcarein parallel to this process and was able to successfully apply for employment both within BVPS and the Valley Kids Playgroup in a very targeted and useful way She also plays an integral role in strengthening the transition of families between playgroup and kindergarten Ebtesam has been an invaluable resource when working with Arabic families and has developed strong relationships with playgroup participants and families In December 2012 Ebtesam completed the ten week Bilingual StorytimePlaygroup Leader training

ldquoThis has been a good opportunity for meIgainmoreselfconfidence working in the hub

I help mums a lot with any information theyneedAtfirstthechildrenand the mums were shy and now they interact and ask questions about things they need to know about school and their childrenrdquo

Mrs Hangrsquos StoryMrs Hang has been in Australia for six years under a spouse migration sponsorship category Mrs Hang and her partner do not have any relatives in Australia Mrs Hang had two children soon after arriving in Australia and was very busy with home duties and parenting her two children She was unable to attend any ESL classes and became isolated socially due to language and transportdifficulties

The Maternal and Child Health Nurse referred Mrs Hang to see a social worker She was offered practical assistance and linked to early childhood programs She joined the Vietnamese Playgroup at Holy Child Primary School early years hub and established her social connection within the Holy Child school community network

Her son attended Prep at Holy Child in 2012 She then was supported to participate in the community hub programs and activities She attends playgroup computer classes the Mother and Child English Language Program and a beauty therapy course

She is currently seeking assistance to apply for Australian Citizenship She says she feels veryhappyandsatisfiedwiththewarmfriendly and respectful support by school staff and the school community hub co-ordinator

ldquoIammoreconfidentsinceIhavebeeninvolved in the hub programs It has improved my English language skills and social networkrdquo


4

Mother and Child English Language ProgramFourMotherandChildEnglishLanguageProgramshave been established since the beginning of the Project These programs are at the Broadmeadows LeisureCentreHolyChildandCampbellfieldHeights Primary school early years hubs A new program commenced at Bethal Primary school early yearshubintermone2013Formoreinformationon this program please email Anne Giddens NorthernMelbourneInstituteofTAFE(NMIT)onanneg-yunmiteduau

Bilingual Storytime ProgramBilingual storytime sessions are now held in the Broadmeadows Shopping Centre outside Hoyts Cinemarsquos on Thursday mornings for pre-school childrenages0-5SessionsareFREEandstart at1030amforabout45minutesFormoreinformation please contact Donna Edwards on 9356 6932

PlaygroupsEleven playgroups have been established to date under the SPDC program with the majority being in hubs but some also in community venues Of the elevenplaygroupseightarelanguagespecificincluding three AssyrianChaldean one Bhutanese one Arabic three Turkish three are openmulticultural playgroups If you are interested in findingoutmoreaboutSPDCplaygroupspleasecontact Mandy Bennett Playgroup Support Worker from Banksia Gardens Community Services on 9309 8531 or email mandybbanksiagardens

ForlanguagespecificplaygroupspleasecontactJeanette Hourani Victorian Cooperative for Childrens Services in Ethnic Groups (VICSEG) on 9353 5821 or email jhouranicsegnewfuturesorgau

Bilingual StorytimePlaygroup Leader TrainingThis training program was developed for parents and community members who want to volunteer in the programs present bilingual storytimes or facilitate a playgroup The training program can also be used to create a stepping stone to further study or employment in childrenrsquos services or just to enhance parenting skills and parent involvement in their childrsquos literacy learning

A primary feature of the course is a capacity building aspect of the training where the participants are taught to be peer leaders acknowledging the leadership and mentoring role that bilingual workers perform in their communities

The Program features practical learning exercises demonstration discussion and mentoring by existing bilingual storytime staff and playgroup leaders Participants were drawn from bilingual storytime sessions playgroups hubs and other SPDC programs

Thirty one women from over seven language groupshavegraduatedfromthefirsttwo courses and a third course commences in May 2013Tofindoutmoreaboutanyoftheseprograms please contact the Project Coordinator on 9205 2530

Participants with their certificates at the completion of the second course December 2012

Early Years HubsFundedundertheSPDCprojecttherearenowninehubsinsouthern Hume The hubs provide programs from ESL classes computer classes playgroups bilingual storytimes early years programs and school based programs If you would like to know more about hub activities and programs please contact the Hubs Project Worker Rachel Germantsis on 9205 2463

PROGRAM UPDATES

Completed St Dominicrsquos Hub now provides great spaces for families and children to meet and socialise


5

Hi my name is Mandy and I have had a number of roles some of those include childcare worker early childhood professional parenting programs and community development with parents children and young people who have experiencedsignificantlifechallengestraumaand abuse I have also worked as a Trainer and Assessor for adult learning in childrenrsquos services courses

Part of my new role is to intensively supportstaff families and children in playgroups in thenew early learning hubrsquos in primary schools inHume as well as to work with VICSEG and their playgroups

My role also involves working alongside with the other professionals to create resources and provide support

Meet Mandy the new SPDC Playgroup Support Worker Banksia Gardens Community Services

My background has been in early childhood services in a variety of roles including educator integration aide centre coordinator educational leader and most recently team leader for Out of School Hours Care services

A big part of my role involves advocating on behalf of school age care services supporting staff and networking within school communities to create purposeful

partnerships with families and children

Experiencingfirsthandthepositiveinfluencewecanhaveonchildrenand their families and working through the challenges of embracing change and improving practice has been the most rewarding part of my role

I look forward to supporting the community with the early years hubs

Introducing Rachel Germantsis the new Hubs Project Worker

Chamindrirsquos StoryChamindri is the playgroup facilitator for the Sri Lankan Playgroup and has attended the Integrated Bilingual StorytimePlaygroup Leader training She is currently doing the Hanen Centre ABC and Beyondcopy training to support literacy development in her playgroup

ldquoWhen I started the training through the SPDC Project I didnrsquot realise how important child development was I now realise it is the foundation that we need to work with children in our communityrdquo

ldquoUnderstanding child development makes it easier to work with the children and give them the best opportunities It helps so muchrdquo


6

Gangarsquos Story Ganga Acharya completed the Integrated Bilingual StorytimePlaygroup Leader training courseandhasrecentlycompletedaCertificate3 in Childrenrsquos Services

Ganga is now employed by Hume Libraries to present storytimes at the Bhutanese playgroup

ldquoThe training was very useful it encouraged metobeconfidenttolinkwithotherpeople and my daughter and I are reading more books together I also received more information about libraries and other programs run by Hume Council My English has improved too

Childrenrsquos services is a good pathway for me It has taught me many thingsrdquo

Sasanirsquos StorySasani is the mother of a non-verbal three year old Singhalese boy named Akitha Sasani approached the SP while attending the Sri Lankan Playgroup with concerns surrounding her second son After a brief individual consultation an early intervention referral form was completed and she was offered a place in the next program

Sasani attended every all ten ldquoIt Takes Two to Talkrdquo sessions and willingly put all of the suggested strategies into practice It was amazing watching the improvement in the mother and child communication and the delight as each week Sasani would come to the session excited by what her child had learnt to saythatweeknonemoreexcitingthanthefirsttime he requested food saying ldquobananardquo and pointing

One week she arrived with tears in her eyes While driving to the group her son spontaneouslycommentedforthefirsttime

ldquothatrsquos a nice carrdquo

Akitha now communicates in sentences Sasanihasbeenapositiveinfluencetoallof the other mothers in the group The family has been accepted into an early intervention place Sasanirsquosconfidencehasincreaseddramaticallyand she has requested to be considered for any training in the future and to volunteer with our project

ldquoI used the strategies CaraJane recommended and my child asked for a banana he can now tell me what he wantsrdquo

Supporting Childrenrsquos Language Development Building Parents CapacityThe Hanen Centre program ldquoIt Takes Two To Talkrdquocopy assists children considered to be ldquolate talkersrdquo In a small personalized group setting Speech Pathologist (SP) CaraJane Millar teaches parents how to use natural day-to-day interactions with their child to help them develop language skills Two groups were conducted in 2012 with nine families attending All children had less than 50 words when they started and now speak in clear sentences after the 10 week program


7

Seherrsquos StorySeher was registered as a volunteer with the Hume Volunteer Gateway and expressed interest in volunteering with the SPDC Project in the playgroups with the Multidisciplinary Team While volunteering she was also offered a place in the integrated Bilingual StorytimePlaygroup Leader training which she completed When the Turkish speaking storyteller was on leave Seher successfullyappliedforthepositionandfilled the role for two months She was then offered a role as a playgroup leader at Banksia Gardens Community Services playgroup Seher is now employed casually as a bilingual storyteller with Hume Libraries and a bi-cultural worker with VICSEGandiscompletingherCertificate3 in Childrens Services

ldquoI have had four children but I didnrsquot know the importance of early childhood education for children aged 0-5 years for their mental

emotional and social development and how this effects their lifelong ability to learn It also improves their sense of identify and makes them a stronger personrdquo

ldquoThe families I work with face a lot of problems I help them to understand what kinds of services are around and how to use them We are like a social interpreter bridging between them and services and guiding and helping themrdquo

Multidisciplinary TeamOne of the many roles of the Speech Pathologist (SP) CaraJane Millar and Occupational Therapist (OT) Cassandra Lock is the establishment of a lsquogaprsquo service for children and families who are on long waiting lists to receive early intervention services The SP and OT have established a number of groups some of which are in partnership with Maternal and Child Health

In2012sevengroupswererunwith51parentsattendingSignificantgainsweremadeinallgroupsin mother and child interaction childrsquos attention and concentration as well as language functioning

Speech Pathologist CaraJane Millar (not pictured) delivering the Hanen ABC and Beyondcopy program which gives strategies for building emergent literacy to early childhood educators and staff working with children The training is being conducted with 15 bilingual storytellers and bilingual workers

Cassandra Lock Occupational Therapist for the SPDC Project (left) consulting with Effie Bougias ESL teacher for the Holy Child and Campbellfield Heights hubs Mother and Child English Language Programs


8

SPDC Interim Evaluation Report Year OneAt the end of 2012 the Royal Childrenrsquos HospitalEducationInstitutefinalisedthe interim evaluation report year one

The report focuses on the outcomes for parents and children grouped by the themes of participation social cohesion and training and learning pathways in line with the evaluation objectives

You can access the report highlights by visiting the Councilrsquos website wwwhumevicgovau

SUPPORTING PARTNERSThis Project has been supported by the following partners

ScanlonFoundation

Department of Education Employment and Workplace Relations

Department of Immigration and Citizenship through the AMEP

Department of Human Services ndash CRS Australia

DepartmentofFamiliesHousingCommunity Services and Indigenous Affairs

Department of Premier and Cabinet

Department of Education and Early Childhood Development

Victorian Multicultural Commission

Communities for Children Broadmeadows contributes funds for the Hubs Project Worker position

Winner - National Local Government Award 2013The Supporting Parents-Developing Children Project is the winner of the National Local Government Award 2013 for the Strength in Diversity category

Congratulations to all our partners who through collaboration have made this possible

LegendVICSEG ndash Victorian Cooperative on Childrens Services

for Ethnic Groups

NMIT ndashNorthernMelbourneInstituteofTAFE

MCM ndash Melbourne City Mission

BSL ndash Brotherhood of St Laurence

HCC ndash Hume City Council


2

CertificateoneinFoodHandlingconductedby Visy Cares Learning Centre in partnership with Meadow Heights early years hub ndash completed by 14 parents and

Introduction to Workplace Practices Hospitality course conducted by Banksia Gardens Community Services in partnership with Holy Child early years hub ndash completed by 10 parents

TRAINING One of the aims of the SPDC Project is to support the development of training and learning pathways for parents

Partnerships between the hubs and registered training organisations have led to training courses being offered to parents in the hubs Some of these include

Training amp Learning Pathways

Training Certificate 3rsquos and Diplomarsquos in Childrens Services were the most common courses for parents to enrol in outside of hub courses

Learning Activities Parenting courses occupational therapist on transition issues womenrsquos leadership training and play based learning

Employment As child care workers and playgroup leaders

VolunteeringIn playgroups and other SPDC programs

Meadows Primary School placed 42 Hume Volunteer Gateway referrals in hub and school programs

Total 97 103 7 51

Programs Adults Children 0-5

Children 5-12

Social support programs egCommunity kitchens (HCC) Zumba classes Saver Plus (BSLfinancialmanagement)familysupportgroup(MCM)

221 25 35

Other adult learning classes are very popular in the hubs as shown by the attendance data below

ESL classes-90 parents and Computer classes-76 parents

Programs Children 0-5

Children 5-12

Homework clubs 16 NA 153Breakfast clubs 21 NA 152

Table 2 Outlines the number of parents that commenced learning training employment or volunteering during the period 1 July 2012 to the 31 December 2012

Table 3 Represents the number of parents and children involved in a range of social support and recreational programs at the hubs

Table 4 Represents the number of school based activities that engage parents with some attending breakfast clubs and homework clubs with their children


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ScanlonFoundation












for Ethnic Groups






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ScanlonFoundation












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PROGRAM UPDATES



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ScanlonFoundation












for Ethnic Groups






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ScanlonFoundation












for Ethnic Groups






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ScanlonFoundation












for Ethnic Groups






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ScanlonFoundation












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ScanlonFoundation












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Documents

HUME CITY COUNCIL SUPPORTING PARENTS – DEVELOPING CHILDREN · HUME CITY COUNCIL SUPPORTING PARENTS – DEVELOPING CHILDREN NEWSLETTER 3 Ebtesam’s Story One mother, of Arabic descent,