MyTime for Grandparents on the telly

MyTime for Grandparents had a boost of publicity following the official launch in December 2011. Channel 10 ran a news story that highlighted the important role of peer support for grandparents who meet to discuss issues that affect their lives and share ideas with others who understand their caring role. View the story in the video clip below.

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MyTime for Grandparents launched in Adelaide, Tuesday 6 December 2011

Our launch was a great, well attended event, with grandparents and facilitators in attendance. We would really like to thank Gemima Fusco (the SA Coalition Coordinator), Silvana Zotti (facilitator), and Rosemary Hadges and Gail Mondy (Women and Children's Health Network) for all their very hard work and support.

Auntie Josie Agius gave a great Welcome to Country and speech. Parliamentary Secretary the Hon Julie Collins officially launched the program, and we also had Senator Anne McEwen and the Hon Robyn Garaghty in attendance as well as Warren Cann, the PRC CEO and Gina-Maree Sartore, MyTime Program Manager.

If you would like to find out more about MyTime for Grandparents, click here.

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State Forums 2011

In November and Early December 2011 we held Forums in each State for MyTime facilitators. These forums had a peer-support focus, and offered facilitators and coalition coordinators an opportunity to spend a day sharing resources, ideas and providing support to each other—just like a MyTime group!
The events were hailed as a great success, with many facilitators asking for more.....so, stay tuned for more in 2012.
Here are some of the comments from those who attended:

Thanks. Fantastic forum -great information sharing, etc.

At the right time. I'm returning home a clearer direction.

It was such a fantastic day I enjoyed meeting all the facilitators and feel like I am on the right track. Very inspiring and I promise to get onto HQ more often.

This has been very timely for me - understanding my position as a facilitator. Thank you for having this forum and setting up HQ.

These facilitators are now back in their groups, ready to go for 2012, and the PRC is developing new resources for the ongoing support of our facilitators and play helpers.

OurTime Forum footage now available!

In July this year facilitators, play helpers, coalition coordinators and staff from the national coordinator, the Parenting Research Centre, all got together for a day-long forum in Melbourne. We had funding support from the department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs to enable people from all over Australia to attend.

We shared our stories and talked about what MyTime means to us and our groups, and how to make it better. It was a really inspiring and encouraging day and we all went away with a great deal to think about.

See a summary of proceedings and full interviews online.

MyTime's first National Forum - OurTime

The Parenting Research Centre, with the support of the Australian Government Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, held the first ever National MyTime Forum recently. The Forum provided those involved in the delivery of MyTime, especially facilitators and play helpers, a wonderful opportunity to share their MyTime experiences and learn from and support one another. 

The Hon. Bill Shorten, the Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and Children Services,  launched the Forum. He announced that the Australian Government will continue to fund MyTime for a further three years and that MyTime groups are now open to parents and carers of children from 0 to 16 years.  

Mr Shorten also asked participants to invite parents and carers to respond to the Productivity Commission inquiry looking into a national Disability Social Insurance Scheme, “Get those parents thinking about the inquiry into National Disability Insurance Scheme, because it's only with the amplification of numerous participant voices that something can actually change,” he said.

Read Mr Shorten’s speech 
Read the Productivity Commission Report (Disability Care and Support)

Hear from other MyTime parents!

MyTime provides opportunities for families to catch up and share their experiences with others who understand the rewards and intensity of caring for a child with special needs. Read stories from mothers, fathers and other family carers about their MyTime experiences.

Read more: Hear from other MyTime parents!

Chat online with other MyTime carers!

Are you a MyTime member and want to catch up?
Do you want to meet other MyTime people around Australia?
Or would you just like to find out more about MyTime before you join a group?

A MyTime Forum is now available online on the Raising Children Network (RCN). Connect with other MyTime families. Share your experiences and information online with others who understand the rewards and intensity of caring for a child with special needs.

Click here to be a part of the discussions on the RCN MyTime Forum.

All are welcome, members and non-members alike.

 

MyTime Celebrates Carers!

Celebrate!

MyTime groups provide an opportunity for mothers, fathers and other family
carers to catch up and share information with others who understand the rewards and intensity of caring for a child with special needs.

Carers Week 2009 marks the launch of MyTime Celebrates!
This on-going MyTime campaign acknowledges the vital role that you play in caring for your child and celebrates your participation in the MyTime program. 

Read more: MyTime Celebrates Carers!

New and improved assessment process for Carer Payment (Child)

Applying for the Carer Payment (Child) is now simpler and fairer. The Australian Government’s new assessment process is expected to help 19,000 extra parents and carers of children aged under 16. If you apply before the end of September, payments can be backdated to 1 July 2009.

For more details, contact Centrelink on 13 2717 or click here.

Provider Spotlight: Naomi Amat

Tuesday, 30 June 2009 00:00

Naomi has set up two groups for WA MyTime provider Ngala. These groups are hosted by Milligan, a non-profit organisation which services the greater Bunbury region. Bunbury was the first regional MyTime group in Australia and now has two groups held weekly with 25 parents.

Read more: Provider Spotlight: Naomi Amat