Men as Fathers

The ‘Men as Fathers’ portfolio supports fathers in their parenting role so they can achieve better outcomes for their children and families. This acknowledges the barriers some men face with adopting a positive parenting style, while meeting the needs of fathers and their families. The Men as Fathers practitioner focuses on:

• Building connections within the community (supporting fathers to build strong and supportive family networks within their own community)
• Providing a space for men who are transitioning into parenting to connect, support and normalise their parenting experience
• Supporting fathers in becoming ready to attend evidence-based parenting programs like the ‘Dads Tuning into Kids’ parenting education series
• Providing 1:1 short term parenting support for fathers

The Men as Fathers practitioner also partners with Mid West Area Mental Health Service (AMHS) and Good Shepherd to facilitate the Western Father Inclusive Practice Network (WFIPN) – a professional network which meets quarterly. WFIPN is for professionals who are working with men who are fathers in the western suburbs of Victoria and aims to improve their ability to support men’s parenting through networking, accessing trainings and promoting programs that specifically support men to improve their parenting.

Aboriginal Nurture Aunt

The CaPSS Aboriginal Nurture Aunt is an Aboriginal Parenting Support Practitioner who provides culturally safe parenting support to families. This includes Naluk Njaguda Garina, a Koorie Kids Homework Club that welcomes the whole family and provides homework support to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children during the term, and excursions and activities during the school holidays.

Programs and activities are a space for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, and their families, to practice and experience and ceremonies. It also gives Elders in the community an opportunity to pass their cultural knowledge onto children – which is a way of educating the children.

The activities they take part in teach culture to their children and create a sense of connection and belonging. They help the children develop a positive, strong sense of self as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. They also provide an opportunity for families to strengthen their relationships through learning and living culture.

Western Parents with Pride

Western Parents with Pride is a CaPSS initiative that offers a series of programs aimed at supporting everyone who is in a parenting role and identifies as LGBTIQA+, and their families.

Western Parents with Pride provides spaces and programs which allow those of the LGBTIQA+ community, and their allies/supports, to come together and connect with other families within the local community in a safe and inclusive space.