Introducing ENVISAGE Families
A program that empowers, supports and connects parents and caregivers of children living with disability or developmental concern.
Raising children is an important and sometimes tough task! Caring for children whose development might be complicated by developmental delays or a disability can be even harder. We know that caregivers want to do a good job when caring for their child or children, and there can be a lot of extra stress and strain on caregivers as they work to find ways to support their child’s development and family’s needs.
That’s why the Australian Government is supporting families to access the ENVISAGE Families program for FREE for caregivers of young children who are living with a disability or developmental concern.
ENVISAGE Families seeks to empower caregivers to feel confident and competent in raising their children with disability or developmental concerns by using a positive approach that focuses on strengths and possibilities of the child and family.
The free program can be undertaken through five face-to-face or online interactive workshops and discussions.
Developed alongside parents, these workshops provide practical information and support for families. Topics include:
- Navigating concerns about your child’s development, diagnosis, or disability.
- Helping your child develop confidence, a sense of belonging, and a positive identity now and into the future.
- Understanding how parents and caregivers can support their child’s development every day.
- Making time for your own wellbeing and self-care.
- Building connections with other families, services, and community to strengthen your support network.
ENVISAGE workshops are facilitated by a clinician or early child development professional with experience working with families with children with disability or developmental concerns AND a caregiver with lived experience in raising a child with developmental challenges who is trained in providing peer support.
Lifestart is involved in delivering the Envisage program in partnership with peer support organisations. These workshops will be co-facilitated by a health service provider from Lifestart and a peer parent.
The program provides the opportunity to work through materials and resources and connect to a small group of other parents and caregivers like yourself.
If you’d like to speak to someone about the program and see if it’s right for you, can call us on 1800 953 390and we’ll connect you with an Envisage specialist (if you reach our voicemail, please refer to Envisage in your message). If you’re ready to register for a workshop, you can do so online from the list below.
What is required to do the program?
- The ability to commit to 2 hours per week (30 minutes of pre-workshop preparation and a 90 minute workshop) for five weeks.
- For those undertaking the program online, you’ll need reliable internet access and either a computer with a webcam or a mobile device.
- To complete simple online questionnaires before and after the program.
Workshops
| Online | Zoom session | Thursdays 1pm-2.30pm | Starting 23rd July |
| Online | Zoom session | Wednesdays 10am-11.30am | Starting 7th August |
| Online | Zoom session | Wednesdays 10am-11.30am | Starting 12th August |
To enrol in Envisage, or just to ask any questions you may have, simply fill out your details below and our Envisage Program Facilitator be in touch.
Submit Enquiry
The ENVISAGE Families program is funded by the Australian Government Department of Social Services (go to www.dss.gov.au for more information) and has been evaluated by researchers from Australian Catholic University, CanChild, McMaster University (Canada), Murdoch Children’s Research Institute (MCRI) and the University of Melbourne.