One-stop shop for raising children

Families and Community Services Minister Mal Brough today launched a groundbreaking new website to help parents and carers raise young children.

Marking National Families Week, Mr Brough said the Australian Government has contributed $4 million over four years towards the Raising Children website.

“This website provides essential information and practical tools on child health, safety, nutrition, learning, parental wellbeing, family management and children’s activities,” Mr Brough said.

“It is designed for parents, carers, professionals and volunteers who support parents and includes a ‘Parenting in Pictures’ guide for people who have English as a second language. Users will be able to access discussion forums, where they will be able to interact with other parents sharing similar experiences.”

Mr Brough said users will also be able to access information on the location of services such as their local Medicare and Centrelink offices.

“A valuable section of the website is the A to Z Health Reference, which includes a guide to more than 100 common health issues and information on when to see a doctor,” Mr Brough said.

“There is a wealth of other information such as recipes and meal ideas, a special section on fathering and an area dedicated to professionals, GPs, child care workers and others working with families and children.”

The website is supported by the Raising Children Network consortium and the Howard Government’s $499 million Stronger Families and Communities Strategy.

“Australian families are increasingly diverse, taking many different forms and operating in different ways,” Mr Brough said.

The launch of the Raising Children website is a key initiative of National Families Week which this year is encouraging families to indulge in some T.L.C. – talking, listening and connecting.