The HeartKids Families Program is launching in 2021
Caring for a child with congenital or acquired heart disease can impact the entire family unit. The effects on parents and siblings may be emotional, financial, developmental or a combination. We developed the Families Support Program to help families adjust to and manage these impacts.
About the Program
The Families Program is a one-day workshop for parents. It was developed to provide practical support and coping strategies for families impacted by childhood heart disease. When a baby or a child is diagnosed, a family is forced to adjust their lifestyle and learn to navigate their new normal.
The workshop is designed to provide a safe and welcoming space for parents, to help them understand their feelings are normal, meet other families on similar journeys and provide practical support and coping strategies.
Areas covered in the program include:
- Receiving a new diagnosis
- Managing family, siblings and others
- Coping strategies for learning to accept why, managing grief and chronic sorrow and ways to reduce isolation
- Navigating transitions and new beginnings, including child care and school
- Emotional wellbeing and listening well
- Early intervention and NDIS
- Dealing with medical professionals
- Navigating social media
- Balancing work and finances while caregiving
By the end of the workshop, families feel connected, less isolated and empowered to navigate their journey.
Need more information?
To find out more or register your interest for the Families Program in 2021, you can call the HeartKids Helpline on 1800 432 785 (business hours) or send our support team an email.
Call or email us to find out more about the HeartKids Families Program.
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