A big step forward in tackling gender-based violence has been made in the Glenelg Shire of Australia. The Baby Makes 3 program, aimed at promoting gender equality, has been funded by United Way Glenelg. This program challenges old ways of thinking about parenting.
The announcement comes as the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign is about to start. The theme for 2024 is “UNITE! Activism to End Violence Against Women & Girls.” The Baby Makes 3 program fits right into this important effort. It helps new parents in the shire and fights against outdated gender roles in parenting.
Maternal child health and midwifery staff will get training in February next year. This will help them use the Baby Makes 3 program effectively. Portland District Health is very thankful to United Way Glenelg and the donors for their support. They are excited to bring this change to the community.
Major Highlights
- The Baby Makes 3 program receives funding from United Way Glenelg to promote gender equality in parenting.
- The program coincides with the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign, addressing the root causes of inequality.
- Maternal child health and midwifery staff will undergo training in February to implement the program in the Glenelg Shire.
- The initiative aims to challenge traditional gender norms and support new parents in the community.
- The funding announcement aligns with the 2024 campaign theme of “UNITE! Activism to End Violence Against Women & Girls.”
United Way Glenelg Announces Funding for Baby Makes 3 Initiative
The Glenelg Shire is getting a big funding boost for the “Baby Makes 3” program. This program helps parents learn new skills and change old ways of thinking. United Way Glenelg is backing this effort to make parenting better and more equal.
Program Goals and Implementation Timeline
The Baby Makes 3 program aims to make parenting fairer in the Glenelg Shire. It wants to:
- Break down old ideas about who should do what in parenting
- Help parents get along better by talking openly and understanding each other
- Give parents the tools they need to handle the big change of having a baby
The program starts in early 2023 and will run for 12 months. Nicole Carr, from United Way Glenelg, says it’s key to changing the community for the better.
Training Schedule for Healthcare Staff
Healthcare workers will get special training for the Baby Makes 3 program. They’ll learn in February 2023. This training will help them support families better.
Coverage Area and Expected Impact
The program will reach about 21,000 people in the Glenelg Shire. United Way Glenelg hopes it will make a big difference. It aims to help families, support new parents, and make parenting fairer.
The funding for Baby Makes 3 comes at a good time. It’s during the 16 Days of Activism campaign. This campaign fights against violence based on gender, which fits with the program’s goals.
Parenting Program Changes: Abolishment of ParentsNext Scheme
The Australian government has made a big change. They are ending the ParentsNext program from July 1, 2024. This move comes after a detailed review. It shows the program didn’t really help with supporting parent-child relationships, effective behaviour management, and confident parenting.
About 98,700 parents with kids aged nine to six were in the ParentsNext program. It was for those who hadn’t worked for six months. Minister for Women, Katy Gallagher, said it was too strict. It didn’t meet the needs of families well.
“The ParentsNext program has been widely criticized for its punitive and counterproductive approach to supporting parents. We recognize the importance of fostering positive parent-child relationships and empowering parents to manage their family’s needs effectively.”
The Australian Council of Social Service (ACOSS) is happy with the change. They say 60% of single parents on parenting payments have faced domestic violence. This shows we need a kinder way to support parents.
Ending ParentsNext is just the start. The government is going to look at parenting programs again. The new service will help parents more. It will focus on building their skills and valuing the important role of parenting, not just following rules.
As we move to the new service, we’ll make sure things go smoothly. We’ll extend contracts and have a detailed plan. This will help ParentsNext participants have a good experience before the new program starts.
Financial Support Increases for Australian Parents
The government has announced a series of income support payment increases. This will start on September 20, 2024. It aims to help over five million Australians, including age pensioners, disability support recipients, and single parents.
Age pensioners will get an extra $28.10 per fortnight if they are single, and $42.40 if they are couples. Disability Support Pension and Carer Payment recipients will also get this boost. To help with housing costs, Commonwealth Rent Assistance rates will go up by 10%.
JobSeeker Payment for single recipients will increase by $15.30 per fortnight. Parenting Payment Single recipients will see a big jump of $19.80 to $1026.30 per fortnight. These changes show the government’s commitment to family support, positive parenting, and parent education.
“These changes will provide much-needed cost of living relief for vulnerable Australians, ensuring that families can access the support they need to thrive,” said the Minister for Social Services.
The government is investing in these programs to support families. It recognizes the importance of family support, positive parenting, and parent education for Australian communities. By increasing financial assistance, the government wants to empower families and create a nurturing environment for children and parents.
| Payment Type | Increase for Singles | Increase for Couples |
|---|---|---|
| Age Pension | $28.10 per fortnight | $42.40 per fortnight |
| Disability Support Pension | $28.10 per fortnight | $42.40 per fortnight |
| Carer Payment | $28.10 per fortnight | $42.40 per fortnight |
| Commonwealth Rent Assistance | 10% increase | 10% increase |
| JobSeeker Payment (single recipients) | $15.30 per fortnight | N/A |
| Parenting Payment Single | $19.80 increase to $1026.30 per fortnight | N/A |
These financial support increases show the government’s commitment to Australian families. They aim to ensure families have the resources they need to thrive. This supports an environment that values family support, positive parenting, and parent education.
Enhanced Support Services for Vulnerable Families
The government has launched a big plan to help Australian families. They want to improve health services for mothers and kids, help single parents, and make more resources and training available. This is to make sure families get the support they need to face today’s parenting challenges.
Maternal Child Health Services
The government is putting more money into home visits for families. They’re also expanding a 24-hour phone line for mothers and kids. These efforts aim to help families deal with issues early, promoting healthy growth and family harmony.
The Rapid Response™ model, started in 2014, will keep helping families in need. It offers up to 15 hours of support each week.
Support for Single Parents
The government is also focusing on single parents, mostly mothers. They’re making it easier for single parents to get financial help until their youngest child is 14. This change will help over 91,000 single parents, giving them the support they need to care for their families.
Access to Resources and Training
The government is investing in programs like SafeCare to help vulnerable families. SafeCare is taught by experts in weekly home visits. It’s designed for parents and caregivers of kids aged 0-5.
These programs, along with other resources and training, will help families deal with the challenges of raising children. They aim to ensure positive outcomes for kids’ development.
