Mother And Child Hug Before School

Practical Strategies and Expert Advice

Hear from experienced parents and therapists as they share real-life examples and practical strategies to help you advocate confidently and collaborate effectively with educators—ensuring your child thrives in early education. This series is brought to you by Belongside Families (formerly known as Kindred) in partnership with the Early Childhood Intervention Best Practice Network (ECIBPN), a collective of not-for-profit organisations supporting children with disability through evidence-based early intervention services and early childhood education across NSW, VIC and ACT.

Register to attend live or receive the recording

Session 1: Understanding Reasonable Adjustments

Learn what reasonable adjustments look like in practice and how they can support your child’s participation in ECEC settings. Hear from a therapist and a parent of an autistic child who will share practical strategies that foster inclusion.

Monday, 24 February 2025, 11:00am | REGISTER

Session 2: Best Practice Therapy in ECEC

Discover evidence-based approaches and learn how therapists can collaborate with educators to promote your child’s engagement and development. A therapist and a parent will share their real-life experiences, tips and strategies.

Monday, 3 March 2025, 11:00am | REGISTER

Session 3: Building Collaborative Partnerships

Gain valuable insights on how to build and maintain relationships with ECEC staff through clear communication and effective collaboration. A professional and a parent will share insights, strategies and tips to help you work together to create a supportive and inclusive environment for your child.

Monday, 10 March 2025, 11:00am | REGISTER

Session 4: What to Do if It’s Not Working

Learn how to approach difficult conversations with ECEC providers, how to discuss potential challenges that may arise, and know when and who to turn to for help. An educator and a parent will guide you through managing setbacks and finding the right support.

Monday, 31 March 2025, 11:00am | REGISTER

Join our new interactive workshops to gain knowledge and tools to support your child’s learning, development and participation at ECEC or Primary School. We’ll cover your role, building partnerships, collaborating as a team and advocating effectively to support your child to thrive.

Join our Interactive Workshops

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Do you want to feel more confident in navigating your child’s early education through childcare, daycare or preschool? Join our new workshop designed to empower you with the knowledge and tools to work in partnerships and effectively champion your child's inclusion and participation.⁠
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During our Interactive workshop, you'll learn how to: ⁠
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✅️ Recognise the crucial role you play in your child's educational journey ⁠
✅️ Build strong partnerships with ECEC providers ⁠
✅️ Advocate effectively for your child's needs ⁠
✅️ Collaborate with therapists to enhance your child's experience ⁠
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Register today for our upcoming daytime or evening session:⁠
📅 Thu, 27 Mar, 10:30am - 12:30pm⁠
📅 Tue, 1 Apr, 7:30pm - 9:30pm ⁠
🔗 Visit the Linkin.bio⁠
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#KidsWithDisabilities #ParentingDisability #SpecialNeedsParenting #BelongsideFamilies  #DisabilityEducation #InclusiveEducation #EarlyIntervention⁠
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Advocacy might seem like a big word, but every time you speak up for your child with a disability, that's exactly what you're doing.⁠
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Join our interactive Introduction to Advocacy Workshop to:⁠
🔸 Break down the different types of advocacy⁠
🔸 Share practical strategies and communication techniques for different settings⁠
🔸 Build the tools and confidence to advocate effectively for your child⁠
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📅 Mon, 1 April⁠
🕒 11:00 am – 12:30 pm AEDT⁠
✏️ Register via Linkin.bio⁠
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#KindredCommunity #KindredforFamilies #ByFamiliesForFamilies #ReframingDisability #ParentingDisability #FamilySupport #DisabilityAdvocacy #AdvocateLikeAMother #InclusiveEducation #DisabilityEducation
Join Prof. Helen Bourke-Taylor from Monash University, creator of the Healthy Mothers Healthy Families Program, for an empowering info session on managing stress and integrating small but impactful moments of self-care into your day.⁠
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You’ll learn how to:⁠
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✨ Unique ways that mothers experience and respond to stress ⁠
✨ Looking out for 'glimmers' in your day to reduce your stress response ⁠
✨ How to identify opportunities for Micro Breaks (small but impactful moments of self-care) and when to implement them in your daily routine. ⁠
✨ The key components of the Healthy Mothers Healthy Families Program, that have helped thousands of mothers enhance their wellbeing while managing their caregiving responsibilities ⁠
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📅 Thu, 13 Mar | 🕛 12pm - 12:30pm NSW⁠
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🔗 Visit the Linkin.bio to register to attend live or receive a copy of the recording.⁠
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This event is part of the Belongside Families Info Sessions—featuring expert speakers sharing valuable insights to help you confidently navigate services and support for your child and family.⁠
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#HealthyMothersHealthyFamilies #HMHF #SpecialNeedsMum#SpecialNeedsMama #MedicalMama #DisabilityMama #DisabilityMum #HealthyMothers #MonashUni #ForFamiliesByFamilies
At Belongside Families, we are committed to walking alongside you. Why? Because we know just how transformational it is to connect with other parents and carers who truly understand—because they’re walking this journey too.⁠
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Our Connect & Chat sessions offer a safe, welcoming space to ask questions, seek guidance, share experiences, and feel heard. Most importantly, they’re a place of connection. Come when you can, leave when you need - we'll be here.⁠
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Join an upcoming session:⁠
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📅 Mon, 10 Mar, 12:00pm⁠
📅 Mon, 17 Mar, 12:00pm⁠
📅 Wed, 20 Mar, 7:00pm⁠
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🔗 Register via the link in bio
Building a strong partnership between your family and your child’s school is essential for advocating for their needs and supporting their educational journey. ⁠
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Belongside Families (formerly known as Kindred) is proud to partner with @koorana_child_and_family as part of the Early Childhood Intervention Best Practice Network for an online webinar to learn how to build and maintain effective relationships with teachers and school staff.⁠
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🗣 In this session, Zoe Jarocki, experienced Occupational Therapy Practice Lead at Koorana will be joined by Pam, a parent from the Belongside Community. Together they’ll share real-life examples and practical strategies that will equip you with the knowledge and confidence to build strong partnerships with your child’s school and advocate effectively to ensure their needs are met through their primary school years. ⁠
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✏️ Register to attend live or receive the recording:⁠
📌 Session 3: Building Collaborative Partnerships: School Webinar Series⁠
🗓 Wednesday, 12 March, 12:30pm – 1:00 pm⁠
👉 Find out more and register via Linkin.bio ⁠
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This series is brought to you by Belongside Families (formerly known as Kindred), a family-led not-for-profit supporting parents and carers of children with disability, developmental delay, and autism across New South Wales, in partnership with the Early Childhood Intervention Best Practice Network (ECIBPN). ECIBPN is a collective of not-for-profit organisations supporting children with disability through evidence-based early intervention services and early childhood education across NSW, VIC, and ACT.⁠
👨‍👩‍👦 FREE support for families raising children with disability ⁠
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We are Belongside Families (formerly known as Kindred)—an independent, not-for-profit organisation for families, by families raising children with disability. ⁠
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Through our free programs, we support, connect and empower families at every stage of their journey. ⁠
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🔸 Peer Support Groups ⁠
Connect with fellow parents and carers through our Virtual MyTime groups and in-person meet-ups. Seek support, share and learn together. ⁠
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🔸 Workshops & Webinars ⁠
Build your knowledge and confidence by learning from the lived experience of other parents combined with best practice and evidence-based approaches. ⁠
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🔸 Trusted Information & Resources ⁠
Our practical resources and inspiring stories empower families with the information and tools they need to make informed choices and navigate the day-to-day realities of raising a child with disability. ⁠
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🔸 Our Online Community ⁠
A private, moderated Facebook group where families can ask questions, share experiences, and find support 24/7. ⁠
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🔗 Visit Linkin.bio to find out more⁠
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🧡 Help us reach more families! ⁠
If you’ve found support here, please reshare this post or tag a friend who might benefit. After all, no family should have to navigate this journey alone. ⁠
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#BelongsideFamilies #WalkingAlongside #FamiliesSupportingFamilies #BelongsideCommunity #ByFamiliesForFamilies #PeerLed #ParentingDisability #SpecialNeedsParenting
Building collaborative partnerships with your child’s early childhood education and care (ECEC) providers is essential for advocating for their needs and ensuring a supportive, inclusive environment.⁠
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Belongside Families (formerly known as Kindred) is proud to partner with @noahsinclusionservices for the third session in our free Early Childhood Education Webinar Series on Building Collaborative Partnerships.⁠
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🗣 In this session, Debra Jefferis, a Family Worker with Noah’s Inclusion Services, will be joined by a parent from the Belongside Community. Together, they’ll share insights, experiences, and practical tips to help you build and maintain strong relationships with your child’s childcare, preschool, or daycare.⁠
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✏️ Register to attend live or receive the recording:⁠
📌 Session 3: Building Collaborative Partnerships⁠
🗓 Monday, 10 March 2025, 11:00 am⁠
👉 REGISTER: https://events.humanitix.com/conversations1003⁠
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Find out more and explore the full series of free webinars: https://bit.ly/ECEC_Webinars.⁠
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This series is brought to you by Belongside Families (formerly known as Kindred), a family-led not-for-profit supporting parents and carers of children with disability, developmental delay, and autism across New South Wales, in partnership with the Early Childhood Intervention Best Practice Network (ECIBPN). ECIBPN is a collective of not-for-profit organisations supporting children with disability through evidence-based early intervention services and early childhood education across NSW, VIC, and ACT.
A message from our CEO, Stacey Touma: We’re Becoming Belongside Families⁠
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For years, Kindred has been more than just a name – it has represented the deep bonds between families, the strength of community, and the power of shared experiences.⁠
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For trademark reasons, we’ve made the decision to change our name. As we continue to grow and expand our supports for parents and carers of children with disability, we are embracing this as an opportunity to choose a name that strengthens our commitment to the families we support. ⁠
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🧡 That’s why we’re stepping forward as Belongside Families. ⁠
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Our new name brings together belong + alongside – embodying our belief that no family should have to navigate this journey alone. Belong reflects connection, community, and creating a safe space for families. Alongside represents our commitment, as an organisation created by families for families, to walking with you every step of the way. ⁠
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While our name is changing, our purpose remains the same. We are still here, supporting, empowering, and walking beside you, just as we always have been – and always will. ⁠
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What’s next? Over the coming days, you’ll start to see our new name and branding roll out across our website, social media and emails. ⁠
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We are incredibly grateful for your continued support and look forward to this next chapter together. ⁠
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Stacey Touma ⁠
Belongside Families | CEO⁠
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#ByFamiliesForFamilies #PeerLed #ParentingDisability #PeerSupport #Belong+Alongside #WalkingWithFamilies
An Individual Education Plan (IEP) helps ensure your child has access to the same educational opportunities as their peers while receiving the tailored support they need to thrive.⁠
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Kindred is proud to partner Early Connections as part of the Early Childhood Intervention Best Practice Network to explore IEPs in Primary School. We'll cover how to create a meaningful IEP and understand your important role in the process. ⁠
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🗣 In this session, we'll be joined by Kiandra Sciascia, an Early Intervention Teacher with Early Connections, and a parent from our community who will share tips and insights to ensure your child's IEP reflects their unique needs and how to advocate for its effectiveness.⁠
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✏️ Register to attend live or receive the recording:⁠
📌 School Session 2: Understanding IEPs in Primary School⁠
🗓 Wednesday 5 March, 12:00 pm – 12:30 pm⁠
👉 REGISTER via Linkin.bio⁠
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This series is brought to you by Kindred, a family-led not-for-profit supporting parents and carers of children with disability, developmental delay, and autism across New South Wales, in partnership with the Early Childhood Intervention Best Practice Network. ECIBPN is a collective of not-for-profit organisations supporting children with disability through evidence-based early intervention services and early childhood education across NSW, Vic and ACT.⁠