New EPC Expansion Role to help Strengthen Services for Babies, Toddlers and Families

By Kerrie Gottliebsen

Kim Porter has recently rejoined the Tweddle family as the Early Parenting Centre Expansion Project Manager. Kim started her career in male prisons 18 years ago where she enjoyed the work so much, she went back to university to study community development and welfare.

Her career has seen Kim work across family services, alcohol and other drugs services, community development, foster care, schools, mental health, suicide prevention and response.

Kim has a great passion for mental health, education, parenting and supporting the training of current and new staff into the industry.  A period of work as a clinician at Tweddle 13 years ago helped spark an interest in the first 1000 days of a child’s life and the support of families experiencing adversity.

“The expansion of services to families in the west of Melbourne while forging and sharing knowledge with Tweddle partners Barwon and Bendigo Health will help improve access to vital services for babies, toddlers and families.” she said.

The role, with a particular focus on Tweddle’s new Early Parenting Centre in Wyndham, will be focused on the expansion of services for families.

The EPC expansion project is part of the Andrews Labor Government $135 million initiative to build seven new early parenting centres and upgrade EPCs at Footscray and Noble Park.