'Parent Hub Donegal' website offers directory of services and supports

A newly designed and updated ‘Parent Hub Donegal’ website is up and running.

This ‘One Stop Shop’ website is a directory of services and support for parents and families and was developed following extensive consultation with parents in Donegal and all relevant agencies working with young people, parents and families in County Donegal.

It was one of the many items highlighted at the Donegal Children and Young People's Services Committee (CYPSC) achievement event which was held in An Grianan Hotel.

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The event also coincided with the launch of the Children and Young People’s Plan 2021-2023.

Chloe Mc Ginty, Donegal Parent & Family Support Service and Mary Walker Callaghan Lifestart Services introduced the 115 attendees to the newly designed and updated ‘Parent Hub Donegal Website’, www.parenthubdonegal.ie

This event brought a host of CYPSC partner agencies together to celebrate their successful inter-agency cooperation and collaboration over the last three very challenging years.

Bernard Gloster, CEO Tusla Child and Family Agency, said the Children and Young People’s Plan “is one which is already in action and making a significant difference to so many children and young people in Donegal. The collective effort of all organisations means Donegal has a collective focus on its children, their families and communities. This is the most important investment we can make in the future.”

Morning session speakers at the Children & Young People service Committee (CYPSC)Donegal Celebrating Achievement Event in An Grianan Hotel, Burt. Seated from left are Anne McGowan, CEO ETB, Bernard Gloster, CEO Tusla Child & Family Agency, Gerry Hone, CYPSC Chair 2018 – 2021, Acting Service Director Tusla Child & Family Agency and Anee Timoney Meehan, CYPSC Coordinator. Back from left are Chloe Mc Ginty, Donegal Parent & Family Support Service , Mary Walker Callaghan Lifestart Services, Trish McLaughlin, Donegal County Childcare Committee presenting the ‘Parents Own Plan’ App, (POP App) and Dr. Marie Hainsworth, Manager Donegal Domestic Violence Services. Photo Clive Wasson

Gerry Hone, CYPSC Chair 2018 – 2021, Acting Service Director Tusla Child and Family Agency said that the focus on child and parental participation within the plan regardless of

background, means young people, their carers and young adults are actually shaping the services provided to be more meaningful and relevant in their everyday lives. 

Dr. Marie Hainsworth, Manager Donegal Domestic Violence Services launched the ‘Donegal Domestic Abuse Resource Pack’, developed by the CYPSC Safe and Secure Subcommittee. 

This resource provides frontline staff across agencies with the understanding and resources they need to better support clients experiencing, or traumatised by domestic abuse.

Photo: Some of the invited audience at the event

Trish McLaughlin, Donegal County Childcare Committee presented the ‘Parents Own Plan’ app, and went through the features of the multi-lingual diary app. Appointments are organised per child or dependant, ensuring that the parent or Guardian is never double booked, reminders can be scheduled and a verbal reminder is also

available. The POP app also links the user to the Parent Hub Donegal website directory of services.

Martin Gallen, Senior Educational Psychologist Donegal ETB and Lynn Bovaird, Education Welfare Officer Tusla, launched the ‘Promoting Positive School Attendance in Donegal’ Brochure. 

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Wendy McCarry, CEO of the Bluestack Special Needs Foundation described the range of services and supports provided under the Bluestack Model of Alternative Care for Children with a disability or additional needs. 

Staff members Emer McMullan and Lenka Valkova presented the ‘Brain Food for Good Mood’ project. This Community resilience project was developed and rolled out across five hubs in Donegal in response to heighted needs of young people as a result of Covid restrictions.

Contact anne.timonymeehan@tusla.ie for more detail or go to the www.cypsc.ie Donegal page.

All the resources launched are available from the Donegal CYPSC Office