New mums and dads will soon have better access to early parenting support in a purpose-built facility, with a site announced for Frankston and the Mornington Peninsula's first Early Parenting Centre.
Minister for Health Infrastructure Mary-Anne Thomas yesterday announced the new Early Parenting Centre will be built next to Hastings Community Health site at 185 High Street, Hastings.
The site was carefully selected to provide the best access for families across Frankston and the Mornington Peninsula while also being near other health services, public transport and local shops.
Designed to help families with children up to four years, the new centre will feature residential family units and day-stay places, providing both short-term and longer residential stay programs to improve the health, wellbeing and developmental outcomes of children.
The new centre will give parents and carers the advice and care they need, including support with sleep and settling, feeding and extra care for babies and toddlers with additional needs.
Sleep and settling is one of the biggest challenges facing new parents, with around one in two Victorian parents who are attending the early parenting centres reporting problems with their child's sleep.
This can lead to post-natal depression, isolation and stress for parents and affect a child's behavioural, mental and physical development.
The centre is being delivered by the Victorian Health Building Authority (VHBA) in partnership with The Queen Elizabeth Centre, with support from Peninsula Health.
The new Early Parenting Centre at Hastings is being delivered as part of the Andrews Labor Government's $148 million investment to expand and upgrade the early parenting service network.
Once completed, this investment will provide support to more than 5,000 extra families each year meaning that more families with babies and young children can get the early parenting support they need closer to home.
As stated by Minister for Health Infrastructure Mary-Anne Thomas
"We know how hard the first few months of parenthood can be - so we're giving parents the support they need, closer to home, by building and upgrading Early Parenting Centres across Victoria."
As stated by Member for Hastings Paul Mercurio
"The Peninsula's new Early Parenting Centre will deliver flexible, targeted services to help parents with sleep and settling issues, supporting hundreds of local families a year."
As stated by Member for Frankston Paul Edbrooke
"Located near health services, public transport and community facilities - the new Early Parenting Centre will be easily accessible and support new parents right across Frankston and the Mornington Peninsula."
