Benalla’s Tomorrow Today foundation has joined 17 other organisations across Australia in sharing $8.6 million of funding from the Paul Ramsay Foundation.
The Paul Ramsay Foundation and the Australian Communities Foundation recently announced the first recipients of grants in PRF’s Strengthening Early Years, a program that aims to support families and children to ensure that every child has the opportunity to thrive upon school entry.
Drawn from across the country, 18 promising projects targeting young children and families will share in the funding.
The recipients include culturally appropriate antenatal programs, support for mothers and children escaping domestic and family violence, First Nations focused playgroups, as well as programs focused on building resources, workforce knowledge and capability.
Tomorrow Today’s executive officer Rosie Koop said its successful application was for the implementation of ConnectParent, a new program that builds on its successful PEEP program, which supports more than 80 per cent of Benalla parents with children aged five and under.
“ConnectParent is an exciting and important addition to Tomorrow Today’s suite of Early Years programs,” Ms Koop said.
“The concept grew out of community conversations at the Benalla Early Years Forum, hosted by Tomorrow Today, the Department of Education and Training and Benalla Rural City Council.
“At the forum, the Benalla community identified a strong need to improve support for parents before a baby is born.”
The new program is set to launch in 2023 and aims to increase the capability and confidence of parents and caregivers of children during the critical first 1000 days of life, from conception to age two.
The program will match parents with a volunteer community connector, who assists them to connect with the resources and support they need in the Benalla community such as antenatal care and maternal and child health.
“We are thrilled to receive support from the Paul Ramsay Foundation for our new ConnectParent program,” Ms Koop said.
“This program recognises that everyone needs someone in their corner, watching out for them, offering a helping hand.
“Our volunteer connectors will help new parents give their child the best start to life.
“We are currently seeking applicants for the new role of ConnectParent co-ordinator and encourage interested community members to apply. ”
PRF’s Head of Early Childhood and program lead Hannah Barber said the successful organisations were all dedicated to supporting parents, caregivers and children experiencing disadvantage in the first 1000 days of a child’s life.
“Ensuring that parents and caregivers have what they need to feel supported in the challenging early days of a child’s life is critical to establishing future pathways for the child’s health and development,” Ms Barber said.
ACF’s grants manager Gabby Lam said the calibre of the organisations applying for funding was incredibly high, and thanked applicants for taking the time to compile such quality applications.
“We’re happy to once again partner with PRF to distribute funds where they’re most needed,” Ms Lam said.
“We look forward to working with the partners as they undertake the work we’ve supported.”