CAFS chief executive Kevin Zibell and Early Childhood Parenting Centre co-ordinator Judy Ryan.
BALLARAT families will now have a new space dedicated to help them become better parents and gain confidence.
Officially opened in Black Hill yesterday, Child and Family Services Ballarat’s (CAFS) Parenting Assessment and Skill Development Service (PASDS) has the capacity to expand to help 15 families in a year.
Currently, the two-bedroom residential facility accommodates five to nine families a year.
CAFS Early Childhood Parenting Centre co-ordinator Judy Ryan said the facility catered to a region spanning from Horsham to Bacchus Marsh.
The PASDS is for families with children under two-years-old who are identified by child protection as being at risk.
“It is around skilling up parents but also assessing their parenting competencies,” Ms Ryan said.
“We only have one family at a time ... which makes it more intense.” Families could stay in the 24-hour staffed residential facility from Monday to Friday as part of a parenting competency assessment and skills provision.
“It is essential to assist the families that are struggling with their parenting capacities,” she said.
“Regionally it is fantastic to have it because otherwise the only other option is Melbourne.
“We can offer something that is close to where the families live.”