Web version Wednesday, 23 November 2016
- Liberal National Government invests $455,000 in Centre for Parenting Excellence
A new Centre for Parenting Excellence has been officially opened, ushering in a new era for the delivery of parenting services in Western Australia.
Community Services Minister Paul Miles said the centre would encourage best practice in parenting services, monitor parent support needs and service outcomes.
"The Liberal National Government recognises the profound importance of parenting in giving children the best possible start in life," Mr Miles said.
"In response, the centre has been established to work with community sector providers and government to improve the availability and quality of parenting services and to provide better co-ordination of services."
A steering committee for the centre, comprising representatives from the Government, non-government and community services sector, has been established and includes:
- Ms Jennifer Mathews - Department of Local Government and Communities
- Professor Stephen Zubrick - Telethon Kids Institute and The University of Western Australia
- Ms Cheryl Barnett - Department for Child Protection and Family Support
- Mr Garry Hewitt - Department of Education
- Ms Trulie Pinnegar - Department of Health
- Ms Tanya George - Federal Department of Social Services
- Mr Colin Pettit - Commissioner for Children and Young People
- Ms Irina Cattalini - Western Australian Council of Social Service
- Mr Ashley Reid - Ngala
- Mr Tony Pietropiccolo - Centrecare
- Mr Dawson Ruhl - Child Australia
- Dr Cheryl Kickett-Tucker - Pindi Pindi, Centre for Research Excellence in Aboriginal Wellbeing
The Minister said one of the first tasks of the new centre would be to undertake a mapping of parenting services across WA, as recommended in a 2015 report by the Commissioner for Children and Young People.
"I am very confident the committee will work successfully with the parenting sector to achieve results for Western Australian parents," he said.