Ms Darcy’s role is to help families navigate the healthcare system, providing information and linking them up with the supports they need so that Seymour children will be ready to make the most of their kindergarten and school experience.
The Healthy Beginnings Nurse is an Omnia Community Health role, based at the Seymour Family and Children’s Centre as part of the Our Place approach.
This is a partnership of Seymour College, Kids First Australia, Omnia Community Health, FamilyCare, the Colman Education Foundation, the Victorian Department of Education and the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing.
Philanthropic partner the William Buckland Foundation has funded the role for four years to support Seymour families.
Ms Darcy’s role focuses on ensuring families are connected with the services they need.
“My job will be to help families to bridge the gap and access more services for their younger kids,” she said.
Ms Darcy will work with families who have children up to eight years old, supporting their health, wellbeing and development.
At its crux, the role is about collaboration, with the nurse working alongside kindergartens, schools and Our Place partners.
“It’s the result of people coming together — Seymour College, shire council, Kids First, the kindergarten, maternal and child health — everybody collaborating,” Our Place partnerships manager Liz Tregenza said.
While Ms Darcy is herself a qualified practitioner with a background in midwifery and complex care co-ordination, her job is mainly about helping families to navigate the healthcare system.
“I can provide guidance within my scope, but it’s about listening to parents and helping them to access the healthcare system,” Ms Darcy said.
The free service will see families referred to Ms Darcy through organisations or education providers, or families approaching her directly, and involves ongoing support and working collaboratively between services.
For more information, contact Ms Darcy at Tara.Darcy@omniach.org.au
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