Community engagement - Ocean View College Children's Centre

Community development program

The community development program provides services to support parents and the community.

Community development coordinators have a strong knowledge and understanding of the community, and aim to:

connect families with other families, community activities, learning opportunities, and health and support services that best meet their needs
provide opportunities for families to increase their knowledge of and skills in parenting and childhood development
support parents with personal development and building leadership skills
encourage families and staff to spread the word about the programs and services offered.

Community development coordinators work with other agencies to provide a range of programs and services including:

playgroups for parents and carers, such as Aboriginal families, dads, step-parents, grandparents, foster carers, family day care educators, refugees and newly-arrived families and children
parenting programs, such as child development, early literacy, song time, music and movement, baby massage, support groups and cooking
community events, such as family fun days, community lunches, school holiday programs, cultural events, celebrations and barbecues
personal development to enhance literacy, career pathways, skill development, volunteering, TAFE and SACE studies.

The family services program helps families and the community respond to the needs of children.

Family services coordinators work to:

create local networks and connect families with services and supports that best meets their needs
build parenting and early childhood development skills and knowledge, specifically in understanding how important strong relationships are for children
encourage and support families to actively participate in their community
increase access to a range of inter-agency learning, health and support services
build centre staff expertise so they can better respond to children affected by trauma, abuse and neglect.

Family services coordinators perform activities including:

short-term counselling to identify and respond to personal issues
connecting families with appropriate services that deal with domestic violence, housing, drug and alcohol problems, mental health, follow-up and advocacy
working with the Department for Child Protection to assist children in out-of-home care to be reunited with their parents, or to facilitate positive connections with their parents and extended family
parenting programs with a focus on relationships, social and emotional wellbeing and trauma.