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Communities for Children Shellharbour
Contact Details:
Address: 8/78 Addison Ave
Lake Illawarra 2528
Phone: 4295 4168 Mobile: 0421 044 152 | Blogspot on Google
Visit the blog to keep up to date with news,
views and the latest information about the project:
http://c4cshellharbour.blogspot.com/ |
| In 2005 the Australian Government selected Shellharbour as a site for the Communities for Children Initiative. Barnardos Australia is the Facilitating Partner, the non-government community organisation engaged by the Department of Families Housing Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA) to facilitate the Communities for Children site. The Initiative ran from 2005 – 2009 and has now been extended for a further three years till June 2012. Our role is one of stewardship and collaboration with the community. We are supported in this by a Community Committee (C4C Committee) representing service providers, State Government representatives, Local Council, business and parents. The C4C Committee have a vision:
“ The Best Possible Start in Life for Children in Shellharbour City” We are funding a number of activities that are being delivered by our Community Partners to meet this aim . . . | |
Shellharbour City Council (Parents and Carers in The Know) Shellharbour Kids Website
Council has set up this website as a portal for local information with links to other good quality child & family information sites. The site has been promoted to the community through a series of events and activities over the last two years including a project that provides a selection of good quality parenting DVDs for free borrowing from local video hire stores and Council Libraries. A set of Inspirational Posters featuring local families, banners displayed at community centres and events, a program to distribute free DVD players to hairdressers, selected childcare services and other sites to play a promotional DVD advertising this website. Staff attend a wide range of community events and promote the website with promotional products and flyers. Funding for this activity is now complete and Council has assumed full responsibility for the maintenance of the website through the Community Services Department. |  |
 | Shellharbour Knows Best activities run by Barnardos
bringing together parents, carers and professionals from all fields to hear the latest information on child health and development from high profile speakers. This project has brought high profile speakers like Mem Fox, Maggie Dent, Dr Louise Porter, Michael Grose and many more to Shellharbour. Through a variety of talks, fun-day expos and conferences we aim to help parents and carers in Shellharbour be right up to date with the latest information on raising children. Most events are free.
Check the CALENDAR for the next event
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Early Childhood Centres Breakfast Program run by Nutrition Australia
This is a holistic program that provides education, resources and information to parents and care providers about how nutrition affects young children’s brain development and behaviour. Firstly the coordinator presents an information session at a staff meeting then the team visit childcare centres/pre-schools for two – three mornings in a pre-arranged week to provide breakfast and fun activities to reinforce the message to the children and their parents. A wide range of pamphlets giving information and meal ideas are handed out and the centre is provided with visual aids and charts to display as part of their program. The funding for this activity has now finished but Nutrition Australia is still able to provide a wide range of resources to services and families. Talk to your childcare provider or contact Nutrition Australia on 4257 9011 |  |
 | Park & Play run by Family Services Illawarra
send two brightly coloured Park & Play vans out every week day to parks around the city where families of pre-school aged children are encouraged to come out and play. The scheme is very popular, especially with new residents, Dads and Grandparents. The activities provide a crucial step in overcoming social isolation and a great stepping stone to connect families with other services. The Play Leaders also demonstrate the importance and fun of interactive play with young children. |
Talking Realities – Young Parenting Program
is a project developed in South Australia that supports young parents (under 20), helping them understand child health and development and offering them opportunities to re-engage in their education. Some participants then have the chance to take on peer education training. This equips them to go out to high schools and youth services to present the Talking Realities program that addresses the implications of young parenthood, covering topics like sexual health, housing, employment, budgeting and childcare. Contact Lynda Sinnott at Barnardos on 4275 8575 for more information. |  |
 | Healthy Cities Illawarra are our partners for Child Friendly by Design
a project that supports the UNESCO/UNICEF initiative that all communities strive to be child friendly. This project is engaging local communities in two pilot areas to develop a set of child friendly design indicators that can be presented to developers and local council. There is an emphasis on listening to the voices of the children themselves and empowering families to have a say in their local community. Check out the latest developments in this great activity HERE |
| SHAPE is a consortium of local businesses and community organisations who present KidsFest Shellharbour during Families Week in May each year The festival features a city-wide program of coordinated events and activities for families with young children, encouraging everyone to demonstrate that Shellharbour is a Child Friendly City. |  |
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