Community HUGS

This project aims to provide vulnerable mothers with a unique program to support their capacity to provide parenting to their infants and develop secure attachment, which is correlated with better outcomes for infants.
An innovative program, CommunityHUGS has been developed for women recovering from depression and anxiety and piloted with Local Answers Funding and subsequet FaHCSIA funding.The program translates research in the attachment field into practice through a manualized program that community workers can run.
3 strategies to promote engagement will be trialed, motivational interviewing, providing toys and lunch

This project will address risk factors for parenting, improve access to early support and intervention for mothers so that they can provide the best care possible to their infants. The strategies in the CommunityHUGS therapeutic program explore what children need from their mothers for optimal development as well as the barriers for mothers providing this nurturing. The playgroup model allows for positive experiences with infants and learning new skills that mothers may not have gained from their own upbringing. The 3 strategies to improve engagement address access to intervention