Ballarat Early Parenting Centre – Ministerial Response
Scroll down for the Minister’s response, or click here to discover more about how we’re working for Wendouree.
Original constituency question from Juliana Addison MP to Parliament –
My constituency question is for the Minister for Children in the other place. Minister, how is the Ballarat early parenting centre supporting families with children from birth up to four years in my electorate of Wendouree?
The Grampians early parenting centre was officially opened to families on 14 May 2024, a year ago yesterday, so a very happy first birthday to our EPC. I want to thank the incredible multidisciplinary Grampians Health team, including a nurse unit manager, registered nurses, midwives, maternal and child health nurses, play therapists, early parenting practitioners, psychologists, psychiatrists and social workers.
Importantly, I want families from across Ballarat to know that they can self-refer to the EPC using the online form. They can also be referred there by their GP or maternal and child health nurse. Our EPC provides a home-like atmosphere where families can participate in programs. Happy birthday!
Response from the Hon. Lizzie Blandthorn MP, Minister for Children (23 July 2025) –
I thank the Member for Wendouree for her question and her commitment to supporting families and children in her electorate.
I am advised:
Since 2019-20 the Allan Labor Government has invested $185.9 million to expand the Early Parenting Centres by establishing a network of 13 centres statewide. This investment recognises the critical importance of child health and development in the early years, and ensures that more parents, carers and families can access specialist health services earlier and closer to home.
The 2025-26 State Budget has delivered a further $22.4 million over four years and $5.8 million ongoing to maintain service delivery at the first 6 new EPCs that are now open to families in Ballarat, Bendigo, Casey, Geelong, Whittlesea and Wyndham.
The Grampians EPC located in Ballarat provides families with children up to 4 years of age with specialist support in the areas of sleep and settling, feeding, child behaviour, parent-child attachment, and parent and child health and wellbeing.
The Grampians EPC multidisciplinary team supports parents with effective strategies to help achieve their parenting goals and strengthen their parenting capabilities. Supports provided to families include the residential stay program (5 days and 4-night duration) that delivers intensive, targeted support; day stay programs; group program sessions; telehealth; and home visits.