By Natalie GallentI
VIETNAMESE parents across Brimbank now have a welcoming environment to work with experts in a bid to settle their children.
The Tweedle@Brimbank Day Stay Program, delivered in conjunction with Isis Primary Care, is the only specialised bi-cultural parenting service in the state.
Tam Vu, who heads the support team, said many mothers of Vietnamese background were often isolated and did not communicate with other parents. Therefore the problems they were experiencing were going unnoticed and only getting worse as time progressed.
Ms Vu, an experienced bi-cultural worker and translator, said the program, established late last year, meant parents now had a reliable support system and were developing important friendships along the way.
“It’s important they join support groups, and their children get to socialise with other children,” she said.
Program co-ordinator Dr Susanne Kristy said the feedback had been positive and most mothers gained knowledge they may otherwise not have received.
The program caters for six families each week and was initially introduced for pregnant mums and families with children up to 18 months. The services have now expanded to support parents of children up to four.
Anyone interested in participating in the program can contact Tweedle on 9689 1577.
