Victorian Government to provide more support for parents in the early days 

The Victorian Government will invest $1.5 million to support two organisations to deliver programs to new parents, with the hope of shaping long-term attitudes on parenting and gender roles. 

Firstly, community health organisation healthAbility in Eltham will be given $1.2 million for Baby Makes 3, an innovative, evidence-based program for new parents, delivered across more than 40 health services in Victoria.

Having been funded since 2017, Baby Makes 3 has evolved and adapted to support the diversity of Victorian families including those from regional and rural backgrounds, culturally and linguistically diverse communities, rainbow families and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families. 

The program builds mutual understanding, appreciation and respect among first-time parents and supports the capacity of local governments, maternal and child health and maternity services to promote gender equality and challenge traditional gender stereotypes. 

In 2022, the program won VicHealth’s prestigious Outstanding Health Promotion Award for making a tangible difference in improving Victorians’ health and quality of life. 

The remaining funding will go to Playgroup Victoria with $360,000 over two years for the family violence prevention program, All Come Out to Play!, which engages children, parents and early years educators in a fun and interactive session that explores concepts of gender equality in a developmentally appropriate way. 

”I’m delighted to support these terrific programs which help young parents when a new baby is born, giving them helpful tools to deal with the challenges they’ll face,” said Minister for Prevention of Family Violence Ros Spence.

”It’s a joyous time and we want to help all new parents as they begin parenthood.”