VPN - Parentline's multilingual interpreter service

Parentline's multilingual interpreter service

Parentline - a 24-hour, seven-day-a-week, confidential help service for parents of children of all ages - has access to a multilingual interpreter service to help parents of non-English speaking backgrounds.

Parentline staff are drawn from professional human services fields such as psychology, social work and nursing and undergo intensive pre-service training to refine their knowledge and adapt their skills to the telephone medium.

Whether the problem is big or small, whether it is about a toddler having a tantrum, a teenager staying out all night, or a suspicion of drug use, Parentline can provide help.

Parentline joins a range of other services for parents provided by the Victorian Government.

Under a $1.2 million three-year funding umbrella, the Government has created a research, training and information service for professionals called the Victorian Parenting Centre.

The $4.8 million Regional Parenting Resource Service is a three year program that will provide specialist parenting help and education services in each of Victoria's Department of Human Services nine regions.

The $6.5 million Strengthening Families project is aimed at offering timely intervention and support to families that are already experiencing some strain, and the $500,000 Family Intervention Service offers more targeted and intensive help to families that find themselves in difficulty.

The 24 hour Parentline contact number is 13 22 89.

(News Release, Minister for Youth and Community Services, 31 August, 1998)