Programs and Services for Young Children and Teens
Programs and Services for Young Children
PCA Families is committed to the best interests of children. We believe in empowering children and supporting their voices to be heard. In line with our commitment to the rights of children, we also promote and uphold local and international declarations and charters of human rights related to children.
Playgroups
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Playgroups offer parents and carers an opportunity to come together, share information and develop supportive networks, while the children have fun.
Local Councils and Maternal Health are a good place to start to find an appropriate supported playgroup (free). See here.
Playgroup Victoria also offer a location based directory of services here.
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All Ways Playgroup for adoptive and permanent care families
All Ways Playgroup also operates in Scoresby (1330 Ferntree Gully Road, Scoresby) the first Thursday of every month (10.00am-12.00pm) for adoptive and permanent care families. Contact Shae at .
1st Thursday of every month, 10am - 12pm
1330 Ferntree gully Road, Scoresby
Contact: Shae -
Start your own playgroup
If you are thinking of setting up a playgroup in your area, PCA Families can support you to do so. See our Fact Sheet here for information.
Early Parenting Centres
Early parenting centres (Canterbury, Noble Park and Footscray) are funded to provide additional intensive parenting support to build skills, capacity and confidence of Victorian families in caring for children up to 4 years of age, offering:
- Day stay services - an intensive day program providing early parenting support
- Residential services - a centre-based intensive parenting program in which parents stay at the centre for a five-day period
- Group services - group-based programs attended by parents and their children, which are designed to improve parent-child relationships and interaction
- Education and advice.
More information here.
Childrens programs
Mindfulness in Motion
Minfulness in Motion programs are martial arts based programs for children from 5-14, specifically designed to assist their personal growth. Classes blend skill development, personal observation and experiential learning in an environment that is fun, supportive and engaging. Training will help with mind body connection, improved fitness, a calmer mind, improved confidence and awareness.
There are two programs to choose from:
The Grasshopper program is designed for children aged 5 to 9 and develops skills for life through martial arts. It is taught in a fun and engaging style which is a blend of play based learning, skill acquisition and conversation.
The Mantis program is designed for young people aged 10 to 14 to enhance students' fitness and martial arts skill with the focus on the students' intention. Fun, games and personal growth are the focus of this group while developing a level of martial skill.
Classes are held in Preston More information here.
Other martial arts programs may similarly offer a warm and inviting atmosphere where children can develop incredible life skills like focus, discipline and respect. These programs are also widely associated with improving cognitive function, body strength and flexibility, skills that help with being school ready. Find martial arts programs in your area by searching online.
Tree of Life Workshops
Using the metaphor of a tree as a framework, these workshops assist children and young people who have experienced adversity and trauma to explore, discuss and narrate the positive and challenging aspects of their lives. children are invited to explore connections with others and gain confidence, self-awareness, trust and a sense of belonging. Find tree of life workshops online at the Dulwich Centre or Relationships Australia.
Therapeutic Life Story Work
The Therapeutic Life Story Work model was developed by Richard Rose and is an evidence based narrative model that has excellent outcomes for traumatised children, young people and adults. Find a TLSW practitioner on the international website here or link in with an Australian practitioner here.
Tuning into Kids
Offerig emotionally intelligent evidence based parenting for kids wellbeing with specialised programs for kids, teens and even for Dads as parents too. Find a parenting group or an online group here.
Teenagers Programs
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In our experience, young people and families often require support as they struggle with life events and transitions during the teenage years. Young people have typically experienced trauma, grief, loss, attachment issues, abuse and/or neglect, which can have life-long effects. |
It can be a challenging period marked by major transitions such as finishing school, starting TAFE or tertiary studies, finding a job and leaving home. So what supports might help teens?
Headspace
Headspace is a health promotion charity offering a resource for teens where they can get help or advice with mental health, alcohol and otherdrugs, work or study or generally navigating life. Access Headspace here.
Raising Children Network
Australia wide mental health services contacts for teens here.
Beyond Blue
Offering a helpline, support centres, forums and online programs like Bite Back (resilience), BRAVE (anxiety) and MoodGym (emotions and coping skills) here.
SANE
Free support and connection for people with recurring, persistent or complex mental health issues and trauma, and for their families, friends and communities.
ReachOut
Online, anonymous and confidential and designed exclusively to support young people with their mental health challenges. Peer support one on one or in a moderated community, tips, stories and resources
Leaving Care
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During this transition young people often rely on their families to provide guidance as well as a financial and emotional safety net. Very few young people are ready for full independence at the age of 18 and in reality, it is much closer to the age of 24 (or older).
This is especially true for our families formed through permanent care, kinship care and adoption due to the impact of trauma, grief, loss, attachment issues, abuse and/or neglect.
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This is also a time when the combination of adolescence, identity and family complexities can place added strain on a family. Families may require support to prevent placement breakdown during this time. In the adolescent years many young people grapple with the question ‘who am I?’ and this can be especially challenging for children not living with their birth parents.
The Victorian Government offer advice to young people to assist you when you decide its time to start planning towards moving out from your parents or carers homes.The key to optimal success is preparation: having a planned and supported transition to independent living, involvement in all decision making and a detailed support plan for ongoing support! There are also resources to support you through this process up until the age of 21 and it is critical that you find out what those resources are that may be available to you (whether immediately or in your future).
Find out more about the Victorian Governments leaving care services here.
The Better Futures and Home Stretch programs can help you transition from care to independence. Better Futures provides flexible and tailored support including information, advice and funding. HomeStretch means you can stay with your kinship, foster or permanent carer until you turn 21 years of age if your carer agrees. Your carer can get an allowance to help support you or if you are moving from care to independent living, you can get an allowance to help you with housing costs like rent and bills. Find out more about the Better Futures and Home Stretch programs here.
There are many supports for continuing with education and training, TAFE and university or job and skill programs. Find out more here.
Financial Support for Young Adults Studying or Looking for Work include:
PCA Families can assist young people over 15 years and 9 months with our Better Futures and Homestretch program, offering flexible funding, information, advice, coaching and mentoring for young people on a permanent care order. See here.
In addition to this, there are many services specifically designed for young people, including some for children from a vulnerable background, with appropriate supports built in. They include:
- Scholarships, bursaries and financial assistance from universities - check the relevant university websites
- Skills first Youth Access Initiative - for young people with care and or youth justice experience residing in Education Youth Foyers
- Youth Allowance Financial help from 16 if you’re 24 or younger and a student or Australian Apprentice, or 21 or younger and looking for work.
- Study Assist for students to acquire a HELP loan or other government assistance for financing tertiary study.
- ABSTUDY payments that help Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island people with living costs while studying / training
- Government assistance with training - Free TAFE or Skills First training