Group grants are a good start

GRANTS of up to $15,000 are now available to supported playgroups and parent groups in the Cardinia Shire.
Cardinia Shire Council and the Best Start partnership are offering two grants to community organisations, which aim to improve the health and wellbeing of children, as part of the State Government’s Supported Parent and Playgroups Initiative (SPPI).
Children services co-ordinator Rex Hateley said the grants were available to agencies and partnerships responsible for planning, developing, implementing and evaluating supported playgroups and parent groups in the shire.
“This year the grants will be brokered to organisations that are setting up groups to support families and children affected by disability,” he said.
“The grants will go a long way in supporting local families, caregivers and communities to provide the best possible environment, experiences and care for younger members of our community.”
SPPI aims to increase families’ participation in early years’ services and other supports and build parents’ capacity to support their child’s health, development, learning and wellbeing.
Applications from services for the SPPI grants must meet the aims and need to be submitted to the council by 20 January.
Grant guidelines and application forms can be downloaded from the Best Start webpage via www.cardinia.vic.gov.au/children.
For more information, call the council’s children’s services co-ordinator on 1300 787 624.