The NSW Government has today announced a $348,000 grant to boost Karitane’s virtual services for parents with young children across NSW who are struggling through the current lockdown crisis and need support.
In recent weeks, Karitane has recorded its highest ever number of referrals and now, with the backing of NSW government funding, is able to extend its extremely valuable and effective range of virtual care services to families across the state.
Grainne O’Loughlin, CEO of Karitane said, “The COVID-19 pandemic and its latest associated restrictions on social distancing have presented numerous challenges to parents with infants and young children – many have been left feeling alone and isolated. The inability to obtain many of the usual supports such as family, friends, health professionals or parenting groups has resulted in distressed parents who feel anxious and desperate.
"At Karitane, we know it takes a village to raise a child – we’ve been helping parents and families do this for nearly 100 years. The first five years of a child’s life are considered a critical early developmental period, which is why we’re proud to be leading the way with our virtual services, providing help and support to those who need it right now.”
With our operations based in Fairfield – the Sydney suburb facing some of the toughest restrictions in the state – Our team of experts and dedicated health professionals understand the challenges being felt even more acutely by local families, many of whom are from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island communities, who may be experiencing financial burdens and for whom language barriers present even greater difficulties.
Minister for Mental Health Bronnie Taylor said, “This grant will allow Karitane to extend its virtual care services to affected parents, including home visits, residential stays, breastfeeding clinics, mental health consults, toddler behaviour programs, playgroups and daily parenting workshops.”
O’Loughlin added, “Our experience through many years of delivering virtual care has proven that a virtual village can be just as impactful, and we thank the NSW Government for recognising this and acting to enable us to provide support during this stressful time. We encourage families across NSW to get in touch with us, especially those in our nearby South West Sydney LGAs – we are ‘open’ and here to help you every step of the way!”
