Free support program for expecting and new parents
What is it?
Family Foundations is a 10-session program for parenting partners who have a child under five or are expecting, a baby.
Two qualified and experienced parent practitioners will work with you and your partner (or whoever you are co-parenting with) in your home or online.
Together, they will support you to learn about:
- How to strengthen your relationship with your co-parent and build a strong parenting team
- How to adjust to your new role as a parent
- How to match your parenting to your baby’s unique temperament
- How to help your baby feel secure, which is important for their future mental health
Who can use this service?
Anyone who:
- Is having a baby
- Has a preschool child aged five or under, and
- Is part of a parenting team. The team may be a couple or parenting partners which may include an ex-partner, a grandparent or a friend.
Priority is given to people living in the northern and western suburbs of Melbourne (Wyndham, Brimbank, Merri-bek and Hume), however our Family Foundations team works online with clients outside these areas.
Cost
It’s free.
Do I need a referral?
No. You do not need a referral to access this support.
Location
We will visit you in your home or deliver sessions online.
“We so looked forward to the Family Foundations sessions – the parent coaches were funny and helpful and we learnt how to manage our baby rather than argue or give in to exhaustion! We still use the strategies they showed us 2 years later.”
Family Foundations parent after the program
Make a booking
Call our Family Foundations team on 9355 9901 or email family.foundations@merrihealth.org.au.
View our brochure
Download our brochure here to find out more about Family Foundations.
More information
What is a parent practitioner?
A parent practitioner is an experienced and trained staff member from Merri Health.
When should I join?
If you are expecting your baby, we recommend doing five sessions before baby arrives and five after baby comes home. Otherwise, if your child is of preschool age, you can start all 10 sessions now.
What if I can’t meet at the same time every week?
That’s not a problem! We are flexible about our visiting times and will negotiate to fit in with your family circumstances.
I’m finding it hard to leave my home with a new-born baby. Can you still help me?
Yes. You don’t have to leave your home to attend the program – we come to you, or we can meet you online.
How do I know if this program is right for me?
We can talk through your needs and work out if it’s right for you.
This service is funded by the Victorian Government and is supported by the Murdoch Children's Research Institute.
