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 Chapter 4
Parenthood and Families
Support and information useful for
when you’re a parent or have a family
General
Disability
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Online resources and support
Raising Children Network [Australian Parenting Website]
Area Covered: Australia
Resource Type: Website, Forum, Information
This site provides interactive, practical tools and up-to-date information on child health, safety, nutrition, learning, parent well-being, family management and kid’s activities. Commissioned by the Australian federal government, this is a great resource for all Australian parents. It Includes parenting in pictures guides, information and service locator in your area, stories by parents with disability, a section for dads – and a popular online parents forum.
Website www.raisingchildren.net.au
National Council of Single Mothers
and their Children [NCSMC]
Area Covered: Australia
Resource Type: Organisation, Forum, Peer Support
A self-help group set up by a group of women who gave birth to children without being married to the child’s father. They fight for the basic and essential rights of all sole parent families. The website has a chat room and a solo mother’s email group, with discussion on issues affecting single mums in Australia today. A latest news section where articles, press releases, reports and fact sheets can be found on a range of topics.
Website http://www.ncsmc.org.au
Telephone 08 8226 2505
Email ncsmc@ncsmc.org.au
Address NCSMC c/- Torrens Building, 220
Victoria Square, Adelaide SA 5000
Parenting NSW
Area Covered: NSW
Resource Type: Website, Information
A NSW government initiative – this website provides information and support for parents. Included are tips and fact sheets, a parenting services directory for NSW, and link to Families First.
Website www.parenting.nsw.gov.au
Parenting Services Directory for NSW
Area Covered: NSW
Resource Type: Website
A NSW government website with a very useful Parenting Services Directory which provides a comprehensive listing of agencies, programs and services in NSW to help parents, carers, and families.
Website www.parenting.nsw.gov.au/public/s17_getting_help/default.aspx
Families First [NSW Government Initiative]
Area Covered: NSW
Resource Type: Website
This website provides information and services across NSW that support families during pregnancy and the early years of a child’s life. Services include home visiting, supported playgroups, family worker services, and schools as community centres. The webpage provides a useful “region locator” for name/contact for support in your area of NSW. There are also programs specifically for indigenous families and aged children 9-18 years.
Website http://www.familiesfirst.nsw.gov.au/public/s26_homepage/default.aspx
Telephone 02 9716 2964
Email familiesfirst@community.nsw.gov.au
Parentbytes.com
Area Covered: Australia
Resource Type: Website, Forum
An Australian-based website established by 3 women, which has lots of information for parents with children (newborn babies to teenagers). It includes interesting articles, information resources, book reviews, an online forum, creative musings and recipes – including wheat free. Article topics include Behaviour Issues, Expecting, Travel, Education, Health and Safety, Parents Corner, and Children Through the Age Groups.
Website www.parentbytes.com
Australian Woman’s Weekly Discussion Board
Area Covered: Australia
Resource Type: Forum
A national online discussion forum relating to women and parenting. The same webpage provides link to Parenting Tips resource, and recipes for children etc.
Website http://aww.ninemsn.com.au/discussionboard.aspx
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Fatherhood
Hey Dad [Fathering Course]
Area Covered: Sydney & various regions of NSW e.g. Bowral, Nowra, Tamworth/NE
Resource Type: Service Provider
This is designed specifically for men to explore the challenges of fathering. Wingecarribee Health Association for Men [WHAM Inc] & Sydney South West Area Health Service [SSWAHS] run the program at Bowral. Fathering program offered by Interrelate across NSW. Also offered by Centacare across NSW [Sydney, Nowra, Tamworth].
Website www.interrelate.org.au or www.familyrelationships.org
Telephone 02 4861 0364 WHAM Inc.
Telephone 02 6762 1783 Centacare at Tamworth
Telephone 02 9745 5544 Interrelate or 1300 736 966 toll free [NSW]
Taking Fathering Further
Area Covered: Australia
Resource Type: Service Provider
Mensline Australia provides this fathering program for both rural-based and metropolitan fathers with kids less than 12 years. They provide telephone support, information, strategies, and referrals.
Telephone 03 8371 2800 John Byrne or
Telephone 1300 789 978 [for referrals]
Email jbyrne@crisissupport.org.au
Men and Family Relationships Program [Forbes NSW]
Area Covered: Forbes region of NSW
Resource Type: Service Provider
This program includes personal and family counselling, fathering skills and education programs. A program provided by Centacare [Catholic Church] in the Forbes region of NSW.
Website www. Centacarewf.org.au
Telephone 02 6851 1991
Address 136 Lachlan Street Forbes NSW 2871
Fathers Support Service [Burnside]
Area Covered: Parramatta area
Resource Type: Service Provider
The Uniting Church provide support services, father groups, and information workshops to assist dads in their parenting role and skills.
Telephone 02 9806 0200
Email fss@burnside.org.au
Address 126 Marsden Street Parramatta NSW 2150
Manhood Online
Area Covered: Australia
Resource Type: Website
A community-based organisation providing articles, interviews, advice, education, information and support regarding all experiences and dimensions of being men. Included is information and support on relationships and fathering.
Website www.manhood.com.au
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Multicultural support
Parenting Classes – Mission of Hope [MOH]
Area Covered: Lakemba and surrounding suburbs
Resource Type: Classes
MOH is a non-profit community organisation supporting the cultural, health and well-being of the Muslim community. They run parenting forums with a focus on parenting for single Muslim parents. Other programs to support Muslims with HIV, Muslims and family planning are also available.
Website www.missionofhope.org.au
Telephone 1300 787 257
Email info@missionofhope.org.au
Address Muslim Business Centre 1A/153 Haldon Street Lakemba NSW 2195
Arabic Parenting Magazine
Area Covered: NSW
Resource Type: Information
This helpful resource for Arabic speaking parents was published in 2002. It’s available online to download as a 36 paged Adobe Acrobat document at NSW Centre for Parenting and Research.
Website www.parenting.nsw.gov.au under “Publication/Other Languages”.
Email parenting@community.nsw.gov.au
Co.As.It: Italian Association of Assistance
Area Covered: Inner West region
Resource Type: Organisation
This organisation offers a range of community services through individual case work and counselling, group work or community development initiatives that attempt to meet the needs of the Italian community in Sydney. Some services include family counselling, bi-lingual social worker, youth and family counsellor (bi-lingual), and women’s teleconferencing group.
Website www.coasit.org.au
Telephone 02 9564 0744
Email enquiry@coasit.org.au
Address Casa d’Italia, 67 Norton Street Leichhardt NSW 2040
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Parenting – education and support
Kidsafe NSW Inc – Child Accident Prevention Foundation of Australia
Area Covered: NSW
Resource Type: Organisation, Information
A not-for-profit organisation dedicated to the reduction and prevention of unintentional injury to kids. They provide advice, training and awareness campaigns. They have a home safety unit, a child road safety unit and playground advisory unit. Kidsafe house tours are available at Westmead where a house is set up to show possible dangers and safety ideas.
Website www.kidsafensw.org
Telephone 02 9845 0890
Email kidsafe@chw.edu.au
Address Kidsafe House, Hainsworth Street Westmead NSW 2145 or
Locked Bag 4001, Westmead NSW 2145
Women’s Health Unit – South Eastern Area Health Service
Area Covered: South Eastern Sydney and Illawarra region
Resource Type: Service Provider
A women only health service covering SE Sydney and Illawarra region, that coordinate and arrange for the provision of information, counselling, education and parenting skills. The Unit is wheelchair accessible and information is available in many languages (e.g. Spanish, Macedonian).
Website www.sesahs.nsw.gov.au
Telephone 02 9382 8156
Email area-whuas@sesahs.nsw.gov.au
Address Ground Floor, Vera Adderley Building, Randwick Campus,
Randwick NSW 2031
Glebe Schools Community Centre
Area Covered: Glebe area
Resource Type: Service Provider
A Family Centre for parents with children aged 0-8 years. They provide home visiting, parenting courses, playgroup, and women's group. Although the centre has no wheelchair access, the service does support mums with disability. Clients include young mums, multicultural and indigenous families. Telephone 02 9566 1285
Email glebesacc@optusnet.com.au
Address 9 Derwent Street Glebe NSW 2037
Parent line 13 20 55
Area Covered: NSW
Resource Type: Service Provider
Centacare runs a telephone help line for all parents of children and young people up to 18 years living in NSW. Experienced counsellors help with parenting problems/ issues and assist with support and information. They can help you to explore different options, and can send written material or provide link-up with local services. Call between 9.00am and 4.30pm Monday to Saturday.
Telephone 13 20 55
Relationships Australia
Area Covered: NSW
Resource Type: Organisation, Classes
An organisation that offers resources to couples, individuals and families to support relationships. Services include counselling, mediation, post-separation parenting, family skills and parenting courses, men and family services, and children's contact service. The website lists services, courses and contact numbers. There are 17 branch offices in NSW. They have an extensive library at Westmead.
Website www.relationships.com.au
Telephone 1300 364 277 [NSW]
Address Head Office: 5 Sera Street
Lane Cove NSW 2066
Burnside Centres in NSW
Area Covered: NSW
Resource Type: Service Provider
The Uniting Church services programs of support for families and childcare across NSW. Major centres are located at Parramatta, Campbelltown, Cabramatta, Wyong, Coffs Harbour, Port Macquarie and Dubbo.
Website www.burnside.org.au
Telephone 02 9768 6866
Email mail@burnside.org.au
Sydney's Child
Area Covered: Sydney and other Australian capital cities
Resource Type: Information
This community-based newspaper provides information, support, advertisements and articles relating to parenting issues. It is available for free at various outlets like chemists, community centres, bookstores, and libraries.
Website www.sydneyschild.com.au
Telephone 02 8876 4800
Email info@sydneyschild.com.au
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Peer support and personal stories
Paraparents
Area Covered: Australia
Resource Type: Peer Support, SCI
They provide advice and support for people with disabilities who are parents or are considering becoming parents. Louisa Silva is a mum and works with the Spinal Cord Injury Association [SCIA], as part of the Peer Support Team.
Telephone 02 9661 8855 [SCIA] and ask for Louisa Silva
NSW Young Carer Project
Area Covered: NSW
Resource Type: Peer Support, Forum, Website
There are many young people who help out a family member who has a disability. The NSW Young Carer Project has lots of fun and supportive activities for young carers (less than 25 years of age). They include: camps, a newsletter, a talk-link (telephone group counselling) service, face-to-face counselling, phone support/information/referrals, and interactive young carers website. There is usually no payment for activities but donations are always welcome.
Website www.youngcarersnsw.asn.au
Telephone 02 9280 4744 or 1800 242 636
Email yc@carersnsw.asn.au
Address PO Box 20156 World Square NSW 2002
Mothers Network
Area Covered: NSW
Resource Type: Peer Support
The NSW Network of Women with Disability has a Mothers' Network. Mothers with all types of disability are welcome. The network is for, by and about mums with disability. They can provide telephone contact with a mum, sharing of experiences, and information. Currently within office or partner organisation MDAA.
Website www.mdaa.org.au and follow links to “NSW Network of Women with
Disability”
Telephone 02 9891 6400 or
TTY 02 9687 6325
Telephone 1800 629 072 toll free
Email women@mdaa.org.au and put Women’s Network in subject line.
Address NSW Network of Women with Disability, c/o MDAA, PO Box 9381 or 40 Albion
Street Harris Park NSW 2150
Disabled Single Parent - Who Cares?
Area Covered: Global
Resource Type: Website
An in-depth article on the transition to single parenthood for Lucy Sholl. It discusses issues of care, parenting, effect of parent's disability on children. Lucy uses a stick or wheelchair for mobility. Go to full list of Features and click on Me Me Me! section for article.
Website www.bbc.co.uk/ouch/features
Child of Our Time - Alison Lapper
Area Covered: Global
Resource Type: Story, Limb Loss, Short Stature
An article by Emma Bowler on media participant Alison, a mum with disability, on a BBC television production. This could be of interest to women like Alison of short stature and/or with shortened/ without limbs. Go to Complete List of Close Up section and see Social Affairs category.
Website www.bbc.co.uk/ouch/closeup Also see Alison's own webpage at
www.alisonlapper.com
Parenting and Disability by Richard Olsen and Harriet Clark [2003]
Area Covered: Global
Resource Type: Book, Parenting
This book draws on interviews with parents and children in 75 families - discussing the following themes: invisibility and pathology, access to support, young carers, changes in parenting and disability. ISBNs 1861343647 [pbk] and 1861343655 [hbk]. Published by The Policy Press - Bristol. Can purchase through Australian distributor - DA Information Services.
Website www.dadirect.com.au
Telephone 03 9210 7777
Email service@dadirect.com.au
Address DA Info Services 648 Whitehorse Road Mitcham VIC 3132
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Websites - resources and peer support
DPPI Parenting Publications Index – Guides and Journal Articles
Area Covered: Global
Resource Type: Book Information
DPPI have a range of practical, topic and reference guides and collated DPPI journal articles. These include: Bathing your child, Choosing cots and beds, Nappy changing and dressing, Carry a baby or child on a wheelchair, Useful references, Deaf families, Parenting with a learning difficulty, Parenting with MS, Parenting with a visual impairment, arthritis, a back condition and spinal injury.
Website http://www.dppi.org.uk/publications
Telephone 020 7263 3088
Email info@dppi.org.uk
Address Disability, Pregnancy, Parenthood International, National Centre for
Disabled Parents, Unit F9 89-93 Fonthill Rd London N4 3JH UK
Parents with a Disability – Yooralla Community Project
Area Covered: Australia
Resource Type: Website, Information
An empowering Victorian community project for parents with disabilities. Outcomes include a comprehensive information guide and report online, a resource manual on Parenting with Disability, and workshops for service providers.
Website http://home.vicnet.net.au/~parentwd/
Telephone 03 9607 3522
Address 212 King Street Melbourne VIC 3000
Parenting with a Disability Network
Area Covered: Global
Resource Type: Website, Organisation
This Canadian Network, a part of the Centre for Independent Living in Toronto [CILT], provides a wide range of resources including a regular parenting with a disability bulletin [various formats]. They also advocate for and provide information on Nurturing Assistance [empowering approach to strengthening the mother-child bond for mums with disability]. They have 2 useful books - 'The Parenting Book for Persons with a Disability: From planning your family to raising adolescents'. ISBN 1895676320 and 'Nurturing Assistance: A
Guide to providing physical assistance for parents with Disabilities' ISBN 189567628
Website http://cilt.operitel.net/parenting.aspx
Telephone (416) 599 2458
TTY (416) 599 5077
Email cilt@cilt.ca
Address Suite 605, 205 Richmond Street West, Toronto Ontario M5V 1V3 Canada
Disabled Parents Network [DPN]
Area Covered: Global
Resource Type: Website, Organisation, Forum, Story
The UK-based DPN offers a range of excellent resources, including publication lists, articles and stories by disabled parents. Children's book lists that include positive images and stories about disabled parents and their children are also available. A forum and email group are also available. A helpful online resource database is also listed below.
Website http://www.disabledparentsnetwork.org.uk/
Website http://www.disabledparentsnetwork.org.uk/resources/index.htm
Email e-help@disabledparentsnetwork.org.uk
Through the Looking Glass
Area Covered: Global
Resource Type: Website, Organisation, Forum
A USA-based organisation that has pioneered research, training and services for families where a member of the family has a disability. They have information and resources on parenting with disability. They provide information, newsletter and online forum.
Website www.lookingglass.org/index
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Asperger’s Syndrome
Asperger Syndrome in the Family - Redefining normal by Laine Holliday Willey
Area Covered: Global
Resource Type: Book, Asperger's Syndrome
Laine and one of her daughters both have Asperger’s Syndrome. In ‘Asperger Syndrome in the Family’, she looks with honesty, wisdom, and humour at the implications this has for her family, both the Aspie and non-Aspie members. This 2001 book offers personal stories and practical help for families in similar situations. ISBN-10: 1-85302-873-8
Can order through major book retailers or
Website www.jkp.com
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Blind/Vision Impairment
Peer Support Program at Vision Australia [NSW]
Area Covered: NSW
Resource Type: Peer Support, Vision
Vision Australia - blindness and low vision services provide a Peer Support Program. Mums (to be) with vision impairment can be connected with mums like themselves for support/ideas. Contact the Senior Low Vision Advisor for details.
Website www.visionaustralia.org.au
Telephone 02 9334 3333
Address 4 Mitchell St, Enfield NSW 2136
Vision Australia
Area Covered: Australia
Resource Type: Organisation, Vision
This organisation provides a comprehensive range of services that can assist with any needed information, issue, strategy and/or equipment to perform a parenting role or activities for persons living with vision impairment.
Website www.visionaustralia.org.au
Telephone 1300 847 466
Email info@visionaustralia.org.au
Address 4 Mitchell St, Enfield 2136
Kids Are Fun for Everyone –
Parenting when you are vision-impaired
Area Covered: Australia
Resource Type: Book, Audio, Vision
Available in large print, Braille and audio cassette ($20) from Blind Citizens Australia office in Victoria. Telephone 1800 033 660 (BCA Head Office)
Email bca@bca.org.au
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Cancer
Cancer Council NSW
Area Covered: NSW
Resource Type: Organisation, Peer Support,
Cancer
They provide an extensive range of information, services and support, including - helpline, information packs, talking to children about cancer, connect peer support service, telephone group counselling, telephone support group for parents with cancer - and programs. The information and programs are available in a range of languages. Website www.cancercouncil.com.au
Telephone 131 120 Cancer Help line or TTY 02 9334 1685
When a Parent Has Cancer: How to Talk to Your Kids
Area Covered: NSW
Resource Type: Information, Cancer
A resource available at Cancer Council of NSW. This guide is for people with cancer that have children and young people - from toddlers to teenagers - includes chapters on diagnosis, treatment and where to find more information. It was published in 2005.
Website www.cancercouncil.com.au
Telephone 13 11 20
Address Cancer Council NSW153 Dowling Street Woolloomooloo NSW 2011
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