Delivery: key steps

Find the key steps involved in delivering Parenting programs to your community.

Note: these steps are an indicative guide only and it’s important to tailor your approach to the needs of your local community.

Step 1: Identifying partners

Identify community organisations that you may partner with that can support Parenting programs, such as parenting groups, schools, child maternal health services or universities.

Then, identify the key contacts within these organisations who can invest time in your project. These people may be in leadership roles, have an influential personality, or be enthusiastic about preventing alcohol and other drug harms.

Step 2: Supporting and strengthening existing programs

Seek out Parenting programs that are already being delivered in your area. Draw on your local knowledge and networks to identify existing activities and consider how your LDAT could utilise, support, and strengthen these existing resources and efforts.

This kind of evidence and information can be drawn from your LDAT’s initial community consultation.

Step 3: Linking to quality Parenting programs

LDATs can engage the community (target audience) and inform them of the benefits of formal Parenting programs, identify programs currently available, promote them and explain how parents can access them.

See Drawing on existing programs for a list of recommended programs.

To help facilitate this process, LDATs may also need to source expert trainers, facilitators and guest speakers from local networks or peak bodies, if appropriate and/or accessible.

LDATs can also use the principles and evidence from existing programs and adapt them to better suit your community, being mindful of ensuring the activity is suitable for your audience, the delivery setting is appropriate, and the program can be delivered safely.

Step 4: Supporting community organisations with communication

Communication around Parenting programs is important. Your LDAT could provide communications support to inform your community about local programs. This may include helping groups to develop promotional materials, publicising programs to parents and providing a sounding board on how to frame and communicate different activities.

For key considerations when communicating programs, see: ‘How to develop a CAP guide’.