Parenting Children and Teenagers Affected by Bushfire
12 Jul 10
As you may be aware, Parenting Children and Teenagers Affected by Bushfire Programs have begun running in various areas throughout Victoria. A full list of current Programs are able to be viewed on the Find & Register page of the project website http://www.parentingafterbushfire.net.au/ or by calling freecall 1800 780 720.
You are receiving this update because we want mothers, fathers, and carers of children aged 0-18 affected by the Victorian bushfires of 2009 to hear about the Program. We hope that you may be able to forward this information to your networks or let parents know directly.
The Program
Parenting Children and Teenagers Affected by Bushfire is a free, six-session program that is designed to help parents and carers manage feelings of stress and anxiety in themselves and their children, and give them the skills and confidence they need to support their family's recovery. It is an evidence-informed program adapted collaboratively by the Parenting Research Centre and the Australian Centre for Posttraumatic Mental Health from the Australian version of the Skills for Psychological Recovery: Field Operations Guide (SPR).
It will provide practical, effective strategies that are tailored to family's needs and goals, by supporting parents to:
- build problem-solving skills
- plan activities that they and their child can enjoy
- develop supportive connections with other people and local services
- manage feelings of distress that they or their child may be experiencing
- develop ways of thinking that are helpful and calming
How & Where
The Program is run in small, supportive groups (usually 4 to 10 people) and led by trained and experienced local facilitators. Groups are running in various towns in all regions throughout Victoria until December 2010. Current groups are planned in:
- Gippsland Region > Drouin West
- North & West Metro Region > Epping > Whittlesea
- Eastern Metro Region > Lilydale > Yarra Junction
- Hume Region > Marysville > Alexandra > Kinglake > Wandong
- Barwon South West Region (seeking expressions of interest)
- Grampians Region > Daylesford
- Southern Metro Region > Frankston
Program Flyers for these groups are available to download from the website. If you are aware of a need for a group in a particular area, please contact the project team at the Parenting Research Centre directly or via freecall 1800 780 720. More groups are in the planning stages and will be uploaded to the website as they are confirmed.
Parents, carers and professionals can register their interest in the program by visiting http://www.parentingafterbushfire.net.au/ or contacting 1800 780 720.
The Parenting Children and Teenagers Affected by Bushfire Program has been made possible by the Victorian Bushfire Appeal Fund on behalf of donors across Australia and the world.