The years when your child is an infant, toddler and pre-schooler are crucial for their development: for their brain, social and emotional skills and their cognitive abilities. Access to good support that promotes the infant-parent relationship and a child’s safety, stability and healthy development at this stage can make a real difference to their future.
Family Services Infant Support (FSIS)
Gentle, early support for infants and their families
The first years of a child’s life are full of growth, change, and opportunity. The Family Services Infant Support (FSIS) program provides specialised early intervention for vulnerable infants (aged 0–2 years) and their families, helping to build a strong foundation for safety, stability, and healthy development.
Support is offered in the comfort of your home or at our centre, depending on what works best for your family. Our team works alongside you to provide care that’s responsive, respectful, and focused on your child’s wellbeing.
How to Access Support
If you or someone you know could benefit from the Family Services Infant Support program, The Orange Door (TOD) is your first step.
Based in Ballarat and serving surrounding areas, The Orange Door provides a single, easy referral point for families seeking support. Anyone can make a referral including health professionals, community services, or families themselves.
Contact us Monday to Friday, 9am–5pm. You’ll be connected with the right support, at the right time.
Helping every child take their first steps into learning
The Access to Early Learning (AEL) program is designed to support families with complex needs, where additional help is needed to engage in early childhood education.
Through AEL, eligible 3-year-old children are offered a funded kindergarten place for 15 hours per week. Families are also supported by a dedicated worker who helps build strong connections with the kinder community and ensures each child can participate and thrive.
This program goes beyond participating in kindergarten, it’s about walking with families to make sure every child has the opportunity to learn, grow, and feel included from the very beginning, promoting play based learning experiences within the home.
Referrals for AEL are taken from Child Protection, Child Wellbeing/Family Services (including Orange Door) and Enhanced Maternal and Child Health Services.
The early years shape everything. With the right support, families can lay the groundwork for a child’s safety, connection and healthy development.
Parenting Assessment and Skill Development Services (PASDS)
Supporting families to grow and thrive together
PASDS is a specialised service for families involved with Child Protection, focusing on both parenting assessment and skill development, for those with infants.
Our team works closely with families to understand their strengths and challenges, while offering practical support to build parenting confidence and capacity. Services are delivered in the family’s home or at our centre-based unit, depending on what works best for each family’s needs.
We’re here to support safe, nurturing environments where children can grow and families can stay connected.
Referrals are received from Child Protection.
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Early Childhood enquiry
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Family & Parenting Support
Support for families at every stage — from early parenting and relationship counselling to disability support and family safety, with care that meets you where you are.
Discover how Cafs supports children, families and individuals across the Central Highlands of Victoria with local, trauma-informed services in family safety, housing, youth care and more.
