Regional Development Minister Brendon Grylls today launched the Ngala Online project at Kensington with $80,700 provided from a Royalties for Regions grant.
Ngala received the funding through grant applications across five Regional Development Commissions.
Ngala is a Western Australian not-for-profit provider of early parenting services for families with babies and young children and the new on-line services are to address the changing communication needs of modern day parents.
It also extends the reach of its services to more families in rural and remote locations.
Mr Grylls said the first development of the project was to establish a website at http://www.ngala.com.au/
“The internet is increasingly becoming a more important source of information and is available to families at any time of day from anywhere access is available,” he said
“This website has a family information section entitled ‘You and your Family’, which includes tips and strategies on a range of parenting issues including Brain Development, Feeding, Sleep, Nutrition, the Importance of Play and many more.
“The next stage of development will be the introduction of webcam consultations which will allow families to hold face to face consultations with a Ngala representative from anywhere in the state with internet access and a webcam.
“These consultations are designed to provide a quick response to families who require assistance with individual concerns.”
To assist families in rural and remote locations, where the penetration of internet access to households isn’t as common, the Online Project includes the establishment of links between Ngala and many of the State's network of Telecentres, or Community Resource Centres.
These links will provide families with internet and webcam access via the centres, the distribution of parenting ‘Tip Sheet’ information, the promotion of Ngala’s services to the local community and assist in identifying the needs of local families.
Ngala Head of Corporate Services, Estelle Dawes said the project will help many remote families use new technology and communications to obtain education and information.
“Certainly the internet system plays an important role in modern day parenting and this service will assist families in accessing that information from remote and regional centres across the State,” Ms Dawes said.
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