Family Support Program


Babies and their parents need a safe, supported home so they can thrive.

Smiling mum holding a smiling baby. Mum is looking at the baby and the baby is smiling at the cameraThe first 1000 days of a child's life, throughout pregnancy and until age 2, is a critical foundational period which shapes their development and wellbeing.

Olivia's Place works directly with new families in Gippsland to give them the social and emotional support that parents need to feel confident and empowered in their parenting journey. 

You may have just discovered you are pregnant, or you may have just welcomed your newborn baby. Whatever stage you are at in your pregnancy or newborn parenting journey, Olivia's Place can help.

To learn more about how our Family Support Program can help you, watch the video below. In practical terms, our support may mean:

  • Regular appointments with your Family Support Worker, providing you with emotional support and advice and seeing what other supports we can offer

  • Connecting you with maternal and child health services, mothers' groups, playgroups and other support networks

  • Providing letters of support for housing applications

  • Help with filling out forms and advice on what Centrelink payments you may be eligible for

  • Mental Health screening through the perinatal and postnatal period, and linking you in with additional mental health support where required.

  • Referral to domestic violence support services such as Quantum Support Services or Orange Door

  • Providing a pram, cot, car baby capsule, baby clothes, maternity clothes, nappies and other assistance through our Material Aid Program. PLEASE NOTE: Material assistance is provided in conjunction with the Family Support Program and we are unable to provide material items as a stand alone service. If you are requiring material assistance only please refer to our list of material assistance options in our community.

We are client-led in our approach. This means we listen carefully to your specific circumstances through an initial intake process, and work from there. Many of our clients are referred from other health and community services. But referring yourself, a friend or a family member is as easy as giving us a call, sending us a message on Facebook, or dropping in to our centre in Drouin.