About the project

Parent Connect @ Heathdale aims to reduce disadvantage in the Heathdale community, and enable access to services and opportunities available for other Victorian families.

The project also aims to improve the connection between the Glen Orden Primary School in Heathdale and parents with children at the school.

The goals are to foster social networks among the families involved in the school, build a greater sense of community, provide access to information technology for those normally excluded from its benefits, and increase skills and educational opportunities for the family members.

Why is this important?

Research shows the negative impact of ongoing disadvantage on future life chances and wellbeing. In light of the growing concern about the digital divide in Australia, the goals of Parent Connect @ Heathdale are more relevant than ever.

The use of the internet is rapidly increasing. The number of Australian households with a home computer is now more than 50 per cent. This is higher in households with children.

A home computer and ready access to the information age, particularly in families with children, is now the norm. However, it is denied to the majority of families in disadvantaged communities such as the Heathdale area. More than 50 per cent of Heathdale households don't use computers or have access to the internet.

Why Heathdale?

Heathdale is a high need area, designated as a priority for the Victorian Government's Neighbourhood Renewal Program. The project is adding value to traditional school and community support by fostering links between isolated parents, and engaging them in community based computer training and skills building offered at the Glen Orden Primary School.

Parent Connect @ Heathdale is increasing the information technology (IT) resources available in a disadvantaged community and aims to redress the marked inequities in access to digital technology and the information it offers.

How is it making a difference?

Parent Connect is working to improve cooperation across the areas of education, health and community. Here's how:

• Glen Orden Primary School is strengthening its connections with the parent community,
• parents will be more engaged in their child's education,
• parents will be more positive about their own learning and development,
• parent skill levels and computer literacy will grow.

Who will benefit?

With more than 60 per cent of Glen Orden Primary School families in receipt of government benefits of some kind and more than 50 per cent without any kind of employment, Glen Orden, and its project partners, is building innovative approaches to redress the disadvantage in its parent and family community.

Funding

The Victoria Government (Victorian Neighbourhood Renewal and the Department for Victorian Communities) and the Helen McPherson Smith Trust have funded the two year Parent Connect @ Heathdale project across 2006 and 2007.