In an Australian first for Local Government, the City of Casey has appointed a Men’s Program’s Officer to boost the range and accessibility of targeted men’s programs, complementing the existing family and children’s services strategies. Rob Koch’s appointment to this new position uses his expertise in family support and men’s workshops, and enables him to develop and trial a variety of programs to address the many issues experienced by men, their families and the broader community.
Part of this innovative role also includes advocating the specific needs and concerns affecting fathers. Emerging research is demonstrating that fathers have a significant impact on child development outcomes for both boys and girls, particularly in relation to the capacity for building children’s emotional wellbeing, resilience and general social health.
Casey’s Chief Executive Officer, Mike Tyler, said that the challenging role of fathering is now receiving increased focus and support. “It is crucial that all services become increasingly aware of the important role that fathers play in the family and in society,” he said.
“The isolation and stigma some men encounter in their parenting role can lead to reluctance in being actively involved in their family, and increased difficulty in accessing a range of family services.”
