Q / Answers |
| What is the focus of the Family Support Program? ▲ |
| Families have the knowledge, skills and resources to care safely for children and young people and
to provide a quality standard of care. Prevention & early intervention strategies to: strengthen family relationships, reduce the likelihood of family breakdown, assist in family reunification and promote parenting positively in the community. |
What is the Parent Education group about? ▲ |
| The group is called
Parenting & Enjoying Teenagers
and has been run by BABI
for the past 20 years. It is an educative group, presenting information and techniques/strategies over the 7 week duration. It is facilitated by the Family Support Co-ordinator. There is also the opportunity for discussion & interaction within the group. Topics covered include: looking after yourself, being assertive with teens, setting appropriate limits, knowing your rights, putting things in perspective, handing over responsibility, whose problem is it?, “I” statements and of special importance maintaining your relationship with your teenager. This parenting program was the recent winner of the
Queensland Child Protection Awards for 2006 in the 'Education Initiative' category.
|
Who attends the group? ▲ |
| Parents who want some guidance with the period of teenage-hood and associated behaviours. Sometimes parents of pre-teens also attend in preparation for the teenage years. There is usually a range of participants, whose teenager’s behaviours range from usual to extreme/serious. Sometimes carers or grandparents attend. The course is advertised in the Wynnum/Redlands area: mainly targeting families in this geographic area. People from any geographic area are welcome to attend. There is no child care provided. A mix of day and night courses are offered during the year.
|
Does it cost? ▲ |
| The 7 week course costs $40. This cost is negotiable if necessary. Handouts & refreshments are provided. |
| How Do I Enrol? ▲ |
| Call to speak to Family Support Co-ordinator for details of current dates & to enrol. |
What accommodation is available for families? ▲ |
| As part of BABI’s
Supported Accommodation Assistance Program there is provision of some accommodation for YOUNG PARENTS & THEIR CHILDREN.
BABI is allocated a small number of Department of Housing units under the 'Same House Different Landlord Program' for accommodating young parents, under 22 years of age, and their children. These young people, as per the SAAP program guidelines, have to be from, or have strong links to the local area (Wynnum/Manly/Bayside/Redlands).
As these young people have to be accommodated with
BABI
for a minimum period of 6 months before signing over their tenancy directly with the Department of Housing, turn-over of these units is infrequent. Therefore the waitlist is lengthy. Applicants must be eligible for
Queensland Department of Housing accommodation, and provide evidence of their application. |
| How do I apply to BABI? ▲ |
| Phone
BABI
at 3393 4176, then ask to speak to someone from the Accommodation Team in relation to family accommodation. |
| Does it cost? ▲ |
| See
Accommodation Program
FAQs Rent is calculated at 25% of assessable income plus rent assistance. Example: Parenting payment = $ 459.00
Family Tax Benefit part B = $ 76.21
Pension/benefit supplement = $ 17.30
Total of assessable income = $ 552.51 Approximate fortnightly rent payment = $208.55
(+ rent assistance amount) |
| What support is provided to these young parents? ▲ |
| As this is supported accommodation support is provided for these young parents. In this instance it is provided by the Family Support Co-ordinator, while the tenancy needs are seen to by the Accommodation team.
The Family Support Co-ordinator, is available during office hours, & provides support over the minimum 6 month period of the tenancy. Generally the worker will visit the family at home. This is primarily in relation to parenting issues and general life skills. A member of the accommodation team (SAAP) is on call after hours for emergencies.
Young parents in
BABI accommodation are offered the option of applying for an ‘interest free’ loan for white/brown goods or other home establishment associated costs. This is due for repayment within the period of their tenancy. |
| Do you support young parents not in accommodation?▲ |
Generally no, but I can continue to offer support to young parents, who have been in
BABI accommodation, after sign up, if required.
However…see What’s new to the program? |
| Is there family counselling? ▲ |
| The Family Support Worker provides individual/couple counselling and support to parents of teenagers, in relation to parenting & behavioural issues of adolescents. The service is designed to provide counselling to parents to aid in strengthening relationships between parents and young people. Mediation is offered
as an appropriate option. |
| Do you home visit? ▲ |
| No. This is an office-based service. |
| Is there a waitlist to see someone? ▲ |
| As this is a one-worker, 4 day/week position, sometimes YES there is a wait period, depending on the worker’s current workload. Please call to find out current availability. |
| How do I refer? ▲ |
Call
BABI and ask to speak to the Family Support Co-ordinator, to make a referral. You can either call yourself or a service provider can call to make a referral. As a rule though, I would want to speak directly with the ‘client’ during the referral process.
|
| Can my teenager come for counselling too? ▲ |
On occasions there is the capacity for family sessions, where young people are also involved. However if more intensive counselling sessions are needed for the teenager separately, the Family Support Co-ordinator would usually provide information about alternative external services or other BABI workers.
|
| Does it cost? ▲ |
| There is no set fee for counselling sessions, though donations are welcomed. This money would be used within the Family Support Program to continue providing such services. See how to donate
|
| What’s new to the program? ▲ |
The
Young Parents’ Group is new to the program & is run on alternate Wednesday mornings of the month.- 10-11.30am
- Group is held at BABI’s LINX Youth Space;
- For young parents under the age of 25 years;
- Children welcome;
- No cost (unless activities chosen by participants exceed program’s allocated budget);
- Please call to discuss further.
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Welcome to Bayside Adolescent Boarding Incorporated 
