Introducing ENVISAGE Families – a program that empowers, supports and connects parents and caregivers of children living with disability or developmental concern.
ENVISAGE Families is an evidence-based program that is underpinned by principles that align with the values which guide our work at Kindred. Recognising the value of families and peer support, and empowering them to support their child’s development through a strength-based approach.
The ENVISAGE peer support program empowers, supports, and connects families with knowledge, information, tools, and resources, but most importantly, other caregivers who share similar experiences. ENVISAGE Fanilies was carefully crafted in collaboration with parents, service providers, and researchers from Australia and Canada.
The Australian Government is supporting caregivers raising a child and/or children aged 0-8 years with disability, autism or developmental concerns to access the program for FREE.
Consisting of five workshops, accompanied by engaging activities and helpful resources available on the online learning platform. Workshops are offered both Face to Face and Online (you can find out dates for the workshops being delivered by Kindred below), and cover important areas including:
- Health and well-being in early child development.
- Child, sibling, and family development.
- Parenting values and child-caregiver relationships.
- Self-care and wellbeing for caregivers.
- Techniques for communicating, collaborating and connecting.


These workshops create a space for group discussions, led by a caregiver who has firsthand experience raising a child with a disability, along with a qualified early childhood professional.
Kindred will be coordinating the delivery of the ENVISAGE program across NSW and the ACT in partnership with Lifestart and Noah’s Ark. These workshops will be co-facilitated by a health service provider from Lifestart & Noah’s Ark and a peer facilitator from Kindred.
What is required to do the program?
- The ability to commit to 2 hours per week (1 hour of pre-workshop preparation and 1 hour workshop) for five weeks.
- For those undertaking the program online, you’ll need reliable internet access and either a computer with a webcam or a mobile device.
- To complete simple online questionnaires before and after the program.
The ENVISAGE Families program is funded by the Australian Government Department of Social Services (go to www.dss.gov.au for more information) and has been evaluated by researchers from Australian Catholic University, CanChild, McMaster University (Canada), Murdoch Children’s Research Institute (MCRI) and the University of Melbourne.
2023 Term 4 Dates
Day: Monday
Time: 11.30am – 12.30pm
Dates: 09 October, 16 October, 23 October, 30 October, 6 November
Location: Online via Zoom
Click here to Join
Day: Tuesday
Time: 1pm – 2pm
Dates: 10 October, 17 October, 24 October, 31 October, 7 November
Location: Online via Zoom
Click here to Join
Day: Thursday
Time: 11am – 12pm
Dates: 12 October, 19 October, 26 October, 02 November, 9 November
Location: Online via Zoom
Click here to Join
Day: Tuesday
Time: 11am – 12pm
Dates: 17 October, 24 October, 31 October, 7 November, 14 November
Location: WOTSO Woden, Level 2, 7 Neptune Street, Woden ACT
Click here to Join
Day: Thursday
Time: 1pm – 2pm
Dates: 19 October, 26 October, 02 November, 9 November, 16 November
Location: Online via Zoom
Click here to Join
Day: Monday
Time: 7.30pm – 8.30pm
Dates: 23 October, 30 October, 6 November, 13 November, 20 November
Location: Online via Zoom
Click here to Join
Day: Wednesday
Time: 1pm – 2pm
Dates: 25 October, 1 November, 8 November, 15 November, 22 November
Location: Online via Zoom
Click here to Join
Day: Wednesday
Time: 7.30pm – 8.30pm
Dates: 25 October, 1 November, 8 November, 15 November, 22 November
Location: Online via Zoom
Click here to Join
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