Being a parent - whether with a partner or doing it alone - is the most important job you’ll ever do. As enjoyable as it may be, parenting today is hard work.

Parent Education Support Program

The Parent Education and Support Program offers groups to parents who are experiencing challenges and difficulties in their role as parents.

Programs are delivered both at Bethany and are available to be operated at local schools to develop a local parent group with the focus on improving parenting skills, developing stronger links with the community and peer relationships.

This program provides a range of groups and workshops to assist parents to explore specific issues, through discussion, videos, fun activities and guest speakers.

Groups are designed to reflect the needs and interests of the group participants and may include:

• Improving communication with your children
• Building self-esteem and confidence - for both parents and children
• Setting fair limits - and sticking to them
• Encouraging healthy eating and lifestyles
• The importance of play and family time
• Getting connected with your community
• Confident parenting

Parent Education and Support groups are also offered in specific schools in developing localised parenting groups. These groups will operate in a range of primary schools into the Northern suburbs of Geelong.

Feeling Safe Being Strong ( FSBS)

FSBS aims to deliver effective early intervention violence prevention strategies for use by students staff in primary schools.

The programs focus is to reduce the incidence of violence in its many forms and negative behaviors associated with bullying and victimisation.

FSBS builds on work already being done in schools on issues such as bullying, classroom management and discrimination by developing friendships, building confidence and enhancing positive self identity in students.

In targeting students in years 3 and 4 an opportunity is created to build valuable partnerships with schools. In working collaboratively on these issues students are assisted to develop safe strategies to deal with violence in a variety of forms.

This program is funded by United Way Geelong

Parents and Kids in Schools (PAKS)
The Parents and Kids in Schools Program (PAKS) is an early intervention program operating in two primary schools, Corio and Whittington..

The PAKS program focuses on the development of relationship building activities between children and their parents with a specific focus on the role of fathers or father figures in an educational setting.

This program is funded by Department of Family and Community Services

Stepping Stones   

The Stepping Stones Program operates in Torquay on Thursday at the Children's Hub, Grossman's Road and currently runs a support groupsfor young mums under 25 years each Thursday 1.30pm - 4pm Childrens Hub Torquay.

Bethany would like to acknowledge the support of the Geelong Community Foundation for this program

Accessing the Service
If you are interested in more detail on the groups offered within the Family Resources Unit Parent Education and Support program, you can contact the Family Resources Unit at Bethany on 03 5278 8122.

Primary Schools who are interested in establishing a parent support group should also contact the Coordinator Family Resources Unit to discuss this development.

Privacy & Confidentiality
Bethany complies with the Information Privacy Act with all personal information.

Information that you discuss with a worker will be treated in a confidential manner. If a moral or legal issue arises, where there may be risk to yourself or other, we are legally obligated to report this.