Team lines up for child health

HILLS parents can now access child development services following the launch of a new child health team in Belgrave.
Ranges Community Health Services last week launched its new team of specialist health professionals which will offer therapy and advice to parents on a range of heath and development issues.
The health team is part of a new initiative called the Growing Communities Thriving Children program.
Program manager Ros Purden said the new service was available for preschool aged children and offers a range of services from speech pathology to occupational therapy, behaviour management and asthma education.
Ms Purden said the program aims to provide services to children and their parents at an early age in a child’s life to help prevent problems escalating at an older age.
She said the child health team also works with families to assist parents to use the techniques used in therapy at home.
Ms Purden said one example of this was five-year-old Jack who was referred to the team because he was having problems with his motor skills, but after several different therapy sessions he had shown marked improvements.
“His parents feel more supported in their parenting of Jack and he is now showing an increased readiness for school next year,” she said.
The child health team is available for all families with low or medium income who have concerns with issues including language, cognition, behaviour, motor skills or other mild development issues.