HOME-START Cowra/Canowindra

What is Home-Start Cowra/Canowindra?

Home-Start Cowra/Canowindra is a Family Strengthening Program which aims to improve the wellbeing of families with young children by providing support with parenting, facilitating informal support groups and assisting with access to appropriate services.

Who can use Home-Start?

Families with children from birth to 8 years old, including:

§ Parents/ carers who are 18 years old or younger

§ Parents/ carers who are 25 years old or younger

§ First-time parents/ carers

§ Male parents/ carers

§ Grandparents who are caring for children up to 8 years old

What can the Family Strengthening Program provide?

§ Information to parents and carers to assist in their parenting experience and increase their understanding of their child’s development.

§ Work in partnership with families to identify and achieve family goals.

§ Formal and informal support groups.

§ Assisting families build connections with appropriate services and community supports.

§ Support families to develop social networks with other families.

How do families contact Home-Start Cowra/Canowindra?

Families themselves can contact Home-Start Cowra/Canowindra or they maybe introduced to the programby workers in various helping agencies including; Child and Family Health Nurses, Family Support Workers, Social Workers etc. Other referrals come from schools, pre‑schools, churches, doctors or the Neighbourhood Centre.

What happens when a family is referred?

The Home-Start Cowra/Canowindra Co‑ordinator makes an initial visit to the family to assess needs and discuss how the Strengthening Families Program might be able to assist.

Depending on the family need, the Co‑ordinator may

introduce a volunteer to the family. The volunteer can assist the family in a multitude of ways eg. Accompanying them to playgroup, an extra pair of hands for the shopping, transport to Dr’s appointments or provide a listening ear when you need some one to talk to.

Community Capacity Building

Home-Start Cowra/Canowindra isalso funded to support Community Capacity Building in the Cowra/Canowindra areas. Community Capacity Building aims to improve the ability of communities to address problems or challenges with their own resources.

How does Community Capacity Building work?

Home-Start Cowra/Canowindra works in partnership with the community to identify local goals and aspirations and to develop appropriate initiatives, programs and activities for families with children under 8 years. These goals maybe achieved through community action, social planning, community-services partnerships and service networks.

Also to assist in the development of a range of consultative and participatory mechanisms to involve families, community members and local agencies in decisions that effect their lives. Finally, the program undertakes initiatives to increase community engagement and build community connections.

How is Home-Start Cowra/Canowindra funded?

Home-Start Cowra/Canowindra is funded by the NSW Department of Community Services through the Families NSW strategy.

Where does the service operate?

Home-Start Cowra/Canowindra offers support to families in the Cowra and Canowindra areas. The office is located in the Cowra Family Support Building in Vaux Street, Cowra.

How can Home-Start Cowra/Canowindra be contacted?

In person, by phone or by email:

Kirstin Stevenson

5 Vaux St, Cowra

Tuesdays, Wednesdays & Thursdays

Ph/ fax: 6342 6887

Mobile: 0428 450 399

Email: hscowra@bigpond.net.au