Australian Government funds Parent Peer Leadership Program that builds expertise for families of children with disability through the Now & Next program and local parent peer workers.
We have a vision for a society where children with a disability and their families are supported. While many of them access services through the NDIS, some do not meet the scheme’s eligibility requirements.
Skills to thrive
Empowering parents to better support their children as early as possible is vital for child and family wellbeing now, and into the future. Funded by the Australian Government, Plumtree will deliver a free Parent Peer Leadership Program nationally for families that are not eligible for NDIS funding. These children and parents are identified by community agencies including childcare, ECEI partners, schools and playgroups.
Through Now & Next, parents will learn to access community-based services effectively and develop skills for the whole family to thrive. Positive child and family outcomes include greater community participation for children, becoming less reliant on therapy hours and leading a good life with the support of peers. Parent peer workers will also be trained to support families in their local area.
Beginning October 2020, the two-year funding is a part of the Government’s Information, Linkages and Capacity Building (ILC) program to deliver projects in the community that benefit all Australians with disability, their carers and families.
About Now & Next
Now & Next is a unique, peer-led group program for and co-designed by families of children with developmental delays or disabilities. It is delivered by parent peer facilitators with lived experience, who are trained and employed at Plumtree.
Parents who have completed the program are able to set achievable developmental goals for their children. They have greater expertise to identify formal and informal supports, navigate mainstream and community-based services, and develop more effective partnerships with professionals—all of which support their child’s development.
Contact Eram at eram@plumtreelearning.com about joining the Parent Peer Leadership Program or becoming a partner organisation.
Hello, I am a facilitator of a group in Townsville, through Playgroup Qld called MyTime, which is peer support program for parents/carers or anyone caring for children with disabilities &/or chronic medical needs.
I have a few members discussing the inability to access the NDIS, and think your program could be very beneficial. Are you aware of anyone local to the Townsville region that may be able to attend, and provide some support or resources to my participants , regarding the Plumtree programs?
Kind regards,
Sally