Tyrol services support 6,800 families

Around 6,800 families in Tyrol used the provincial parent counselling service or the Early Support programme of Gesund ins Leben, a network affiliated with the Red Cross, last year, ORF reported on Wednesday.

Pregnancy and the first years of a child’s life can be challenging for families. The free Early Support programme is available from pregnancy and is aimed particularly at families facing difficult circumstances or needing additional support.

The Tyrol parent counselling service has 91 centres across the province and supports families with children aged one to four. Its services include advice on medical check-ups, breastfeeding, age-appropriate nutrition, baby care, motor development, sleep problems, development, support and parenting.

The service also offers courses and workshops on preparing for childbirth and caring for infants, as well as home visits. Last year, it made 370 home visits and provided 460 telephone consultations. It supported around 6,600 families across Tyrol.

“Our aim is to support parents in an accessible, competent and local way,” said Petra Welskop, head of Parent Counselling Tyrol.

The Early Support programme provided family support to around 190 families last year. Sandra Aufhammer, head of Gesund ins Leben in Tyrol, said families sought help because of stress and anxiety, psychological or social difficulties, and organisational, administrative or financial issues.

Home visits are a key part of the programme, allowing families to receive support in familiar surroundings and develop practical solutions together. Telephone and face-to-face consultations are also available. The team includes psychologists, midwives, early intervention specialists and social workers, and provides free support across Tyrol.