“These programs build on our existing experience as a provider of the targeted early intervention child protection program known as Brighter Futures,” CatholicCare Director, Helga Smit, said. 

“There is sound academic evidence that demonstrates that the earlier supports are provided to children at risk and vulnerable families, the more likely it is that strategies can be implemented to prevent the escalation of serious issues that may lead to family breakdown.

“The goal of the CatholicCare early intervention service is to provide a range of supports that address the vulnerabilities of the family and to equip family members with the skills to deal with issues as they arise,” Ms Smit said.

CatholicCare’s new early intervention services include:

• Parenting Hub The parenting hub provides evidence based early intervention and support on a fee for service basis for parents in the community. The focus is to educate and empower parents to be able to deal effectively with the daily stresses of raising children and to understand the effects of trauma on the brain during pregnancy.
• SINERGIE This program provides evidence based supports for foster carers who are caring for children in out of home care. The SINERGIE worker is part of a multi-disciplinary team that provides carers with strategies that give them the skills to work with traumatised children to ensure permanency and stability for children in care.
• Restorations Program This program works with our out of home care team to identify children and young people in the foster care program who may be able to be restored to the care of one or both of their birth parents. The restorations worker provides intensive support to birth parents to ensure they have the best possible chance of having their children restored to their care.

“Our early intervention programs work in collaboration with each of the other valuable services we provide to ensure that we can make a difference in the lives of the people we support,” Ms Smit said.

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