Published Sunday, 28 December, 2008 at 03:00 PM
Minister for Communities, Disability Services, ATSIP, Multicultural Affairs, Seniors and Youth
The Honourable Lindy Nelson-Carr
Parenting program gets tick of approval and $3 million boost: Minister
Communities and Disabilities Services Minister Lindy Nelson-Carr has announced an extra $3 million to take a successful parenting program into rural, regional and isolated communities across Queensland.
Ms Nelson-Carr said Parentline, operated by BoysTown since 1996, would employ more counsellors to assist parents facing issues with disabilities, those who are socially isolated, from regional areas and Indigenous communities.
“This additional funding will help the service develop a new, targeted strategy and go deeper into our communities, offering face-to-face support, over the phone counselling and free access to the highly acclaimed Triple P parenting program to families who wouldn’t usually come forward,” Ms Nelson-Carr said.
“Accessing Triple P for free is a real plus, with parents giving it a satisfaction rate of 96%, and 98% of participants saying they would recommend it to others – that speaks volumes,” she said.
“Taking counselling and education into rural, regional and isolated communities will help more Queensland families access the support they need but may have been apprehensive to access, for whatever reasons.”
The Bligh Government has been a strong supporter of Parentline program, allocating recurrent funding of $634,000 per annum for the phone service which in 2007 handled some 11,000 calls and delivered some 9,200 counselling sessions.
“Giving BoysTown a financial injection to target programs specifically for families with different needs is an important next step.”
BoysTown will use the extra funding to recruit and train six more counsellors, employ an additional clinical practitioner, team leader and supervisor.
Ms Nelson-Carr said the these dedicated, specially-trained staff would offer parents instant advice and referrals, including to the Triple P – Positive Parenting Program.
“Improving access to support, education and personal assistance are important in improving parents’ confidence and helping them manage challenging child behaviour,” she said.
“The sooner parents get the guidance, reassurance and information they need, the less likely families are to reach breaking point and require crisis intervention.
“The program embodies our Towards Q2: Tomorrow’s Queensland vision to build sustainable communities and give this and future generations a better quality of life.”
BoysTown Counselling Services General Manager Wendy Protheroe said Parentline had been providing professional, over-the-phone counselling and support to parents and care-givers in Queensland since 1996.
“This expanded service, including targeted programs like face-to-face engagement, will only enhance our ability to empower people to make better, more informed parenting decisions,” Ms Protheroe said.
“Research shows that targeted interventions are most effective at addressing complex problems that often beset vulnerable families.
“At the end of the day, I’m confident that by making parenting support more accessible to vulnerable and disadvantaged families, we’re helping to build a better, brighter future for more Queensland communities.”
The Department of Communities funds BoysTown to operate Parentline and Kids Helpline.
For the cost of a local call, parents and care-givers can contact Parentline on 1300 30 1300 from 8am to 10pm, seven-days-a-week.
Media Contacts: Minister Nelson-Carr’s office – 3235 4280
BoysTown Communications Manager Jessica Tatzenko on 0434 077 478
Ms Nelson-Carr said Parentline, operated by BoysTown since 1996, would employ more counsellors to assist parents facing issues with disabilities, those who are socially isolated, from regional areas and Indigenous communities.
“This additional funding will help the service develop a new, targeted strategy and go deeper into our communities, offering face-to-face support, over the phone counselling and free access to the highly acclaimed Triple P parenting program to families who wouldn’t usually come forward,” Ms Nelson-Carr said.
“Accessing Triple P for free is a real plus, with parents giving it a satisfaction rate of 96%, and 98% of participants saying they would recommend it to others – that speaks volumes,” she said.
“Taking counselling and education into rural, regional and isolated communities will help more Queensland families access the support they need but may have been apprehensive to access, for whatever reasons.”
The Bligh Government has been a strong supporter of Parentline program, allocating recurrent funding of $634,000 per annum for the phone service which in 2007 handled some 11,000 calls and delivered some 9,200 counselling sessions.
“Giving BoysTown a financial injection to target programs specifically for families with different needs is an important next step.”
BoysTown will use the extra funding to recruit and train six more counsellors, employ an additional clinical practitioner, team leader and supervisor.
Ms Nelson-Carr said the these dedicated, specially-trained staff would offer parents instant advice and referrals, including to the Triple P – Positive Parenting Program.
“Improving access to support, education and personal assistance are important in improving parents’ confidence and helping them manage challenging child behaviour,” she said.
“The sooner parents get the guidance, reassurance and information they need, the less likely families are to reach breaking point and require crisis intervention.
“The program embodies our Towards Q2: Tomorrow’s Queensland vision to build sustainable communities and give this and future generations a better quality of life.”
BoysTown Counselling Services General Manager Wendy Protheroe said Parentline had been providing professional, over-the-phone counselling and support to parents and care-givers in Queensland since 1996.
“This expanded service, including targeted programs like face-to-face engagement, will only enhance our ability to empower people to make better, more informed parenting decisions,” Ms Protheroe said.
“Research shows that targeted interventions are most effective at addressing complex problems that often beset vulnerable families.
“At the end of the day, I’m confident that by making parenting support more accessible to vulnerable and disadvantaged families, we’re helping to build a better, brighter future for more Queensland communities.”
The Department of Communities funds BoysTown to operate Parentline and Kids Helpline.
For the cost of a local call, parents and care-givers can contact Parentline on 1300 30 1300 from 8am to 10pm, seven-days-a-week.
Media Contacts: Minister Nelson-Carr’s office – 3235 4280
BoysTown Communications Manager Jessica Tatzenko on 0434 077 478