$9 million investment to keep young mums and bubs safely together

Saturday, 30 September 2023

Hundreds of young women and their children in South Western Sydney will benefit from a $9 million investment aimed at improving their long term safety, resilience and wellbeing.

The NSW Government has partnered with the not-for-profit and private sector on a collaboration to provide early intervention services to support pregnant women and mothers under 25 and their children.

Minister for Families and Communities Kate Washington launched the service, Village Connect – A hub for parents, with partner agencies including health and wellbeing provider Sonder, Karitane and Uniting NSW.ACT.

The service integrates three key elements including Sonder’s 24/7 support app which is an easily accessible digital platform for information, as well as personal guidance via chat or phone.

The app diverts young parents from crisis situations, with trained professionals available 24/7.

Karitane and Uniting NSW.ACT will match clients with more complex needs to more intensive and tailored supports to address challenges faced by young parents.

Together, these services provide a holistic approach to meet a family’s needs when they arise and as their circumstances change.

The model, known as the Investment Approach for Social Impact Strategy (IAFSIS), is aimed at improving the lifetime outcomes for young parents and their children.

The Department of Communities and Justice will work closely with the Department of Education and NSW Health to deliver program outcomes and ensure sufficient wraparound supports are available.

A successful evaluation of the IAFSIS model may see it replicated across NSW.

Minister for Families and Communities, and Minister for Disability Inclusion, Kate Washington, said:

“It takes a village to raise a child and this initiative is bringing the village together to deliver support to young mums when they need it most.

“This innovative collaboration between the NSW Government, Sonder, Karitane and Uniting is designed to help young mums be the parent they want to be.

“We are collaborating to empower families by giving them the support they need during the difficult early days, so they stay strong, healthy and safely together.”

Advocate for Children and Young People, Zoe Robinson, said:

“This investment is a welcome step forward in supporting young parents and their children to thrive.

“The benefits of wrap around supports for these young families, will be evident for years to come.”