Marie Witts, Cardinia’s Best Start community facilitator chats with a parentCARDINIA Shire’s Best Start consultation with the community is in its final stages, with the last of the current meetings held this week.
Best Start is a prevention and early intervention project that aims to improve the health, development, learning and wellbeing of all Victorian children from pregnancy through to transition to school, usually taken to be eight years of age.
The community consultations have been successful with many residents taking the opportunity to visit the sites and have their say on what they want for their children now and in the future.
Marie Witts, Cardinia’s Best Start community facilitator, is pleased with the response.
“It is encouraging that so many parents and other interested residents have given their time to take part in this important consultation.
“Many have shared their opinions and hopes for positive change,” said Ms Witts.
Fourteen sessions for parents to attend were scheduled across the shire last month.
Sessions were held at community centres, neighbourhood houses and at the mobile library.
The results of the consultation will be used to formulate an action plan for the future provision of children’s services in the early year’s across Cardinia.
Ms Witts said parents’ comments included a variety of feedback about their experiences.
A parent said that they relied heavily on Maternal and Child Health nurse for information and support. Another parent said the local school offered great orientation for their child.
One mother said she appreciated the opportunity to have her say about gaining local access to speech therapy for her son. Other parents highlighted issues relating to access to services.
The action plan for Best Start should be drafted by late March.
Those unable to attend the consultation meetings are encouraged to email or ring Marie Witts Ph: 5945 4282 email: m.wittscardinia.vic.gov.au to discuss their thoughts.
