"Happening Families will build a supportive network for young people and parents within the region."

The Central Grampians LLEN has been successful in securing funding under the Stronger Families and Communities Strategy (SFCS) Local Answers program.

The “Happening Families” program will help young parents and parents of teenagers in the Central Grampians region by providing parenting education and developing a parenting network. The program will promote strong, informed and supportive parenting with the community. The components of the Happening Families Program include:

• Young Parents which aims to develop effective parenting skills for young people with children whilst the young person reengages with education training or employment
• Parents of teenagers which aims to assist parents to support disengaged teenagers
• Parenting Children through the Transition assisting parents of teenage children to navigate career choices and support a smooth transition to further education for young people.

On behalf of the Central Grampians LLEN, LenZone! Project Officer Belinda Healy indicated that “this is an exciting program that will have long lasting benefits for the community. Happening Families is a multi level approach to building a supportive network for young people and parents within the region.”

“The Happening Families program concept has been developed in response to the needs identified through the work of the LenZone! Youth Resource Centres. It is a program that will support parents and young people in developing skills and resources. We look forward to the implementation of the Happening Families initiative and seeing the benefits the program will provide to families within the Central Grampians region.”