07 May 2025
National Families Week, runs from 12th – 18th May, and is a time to celebrate the role families play in teaching, supporting and nurturing children and young people as they grow.
There are lots of services and programs available, this is a brief and simple list of mostly free options:
- Be You Family Partnerships professional learning – two free training modules for educators on how to work effectively with families to support the mental health and wellbeing of children and young people
- Equi Energy Youth TAR3 for Parents and Carers – free training for parents and carers in psychological first aid for calmly responding to children and young people experiencing distress
- headspace Mental Health Education Program parent and carer webinars – free online webinar for parents and carers to assist in understanding and supporting the mental health and wellbeing of adolescents
- Benevolent Family Connect and Support – free support to help families connect with local services
- ReachOut professional coaching for parents and carers – free online coaching of up to 4 sessions for parents and carers of 12-18 yr olds
- Free and paid programs and services offered through Family Support Services, Neighbourhood Centres and Aboriginal Land Councils…check out Muloobinba Family Services and Port Stephens Family and Neighbourhood Services and UoN Hunter Family Outreach Project for local examples. Rainbow Families has programs (such as free Circle of Security online) and resources for LGBTQ+ families.