“Disappointing”: Mount Waverley’s sleepless parents left in a daze after $100,000 funding cut

Monash Council has demanded the State Government urgently reconsider its decision to cut $100,000 in funding from a program designed to support new parents.

The announcement comes only months after the opening of the Dorrington Child and Family Hub in Mount Waverley, which focuses on providing sleep and settling services, and would impact council’s broader Maternal Child Health (MCH) service provision.

The backstory

Monash Council officially opened the Dorrington facility, an early years support and guidance centre, in May.

Located at 7 Dorrington Drive in Mount Waverley, Dorrington was the result of a partnership between the council and the Victorian Government through the Building Blocks Partnership, with the Victorian Government contributing $4.5 million and council $2.4 million.

With a parents' lounge, four new baby rooms and an outdoor space, the hub is also home to the Monash lactation support and sleep and settling services, where new parents can get tips and on-hand help on how to calm children before and during sleep.

Monash Council currently contributes more than 65 percent of the total cost to deliver the MCH service, with Victorian Government funding covering the remaining costs.

These sleep and settling services are now facing defunding, despite calls from councillors and the deputy mayor to reconsider.

What’s happened and why?

As of Tuesday July 1, the Victorian Government has stopped funding for the group information session component of the Victorian Sleep and Settling program, with anyone currently participating to be connected with alternative support options to assist with sleep and settling.

The cut will see a funding reduction of about $102,000 over the 2025/26 financial year to Monash Council’s MCH service.

According to a letter received by local MCH providers, the decision was part of a “broader effort to streamline program delivery and ensure the MCH workforce is focused on core service provision”.

While group information sessions will cease, Maternal and Child Health services across the state will continue to offer tailored in-home support via the outreach sleep and settling service for families.

All parents and carers can also access free advice on sleep and settling via the Maternal and Child Health Line (13 22 29).

A Victorian Government spokesperson told the Eastern Melburnian the existing network will aim to fill in any gaps left after the funding reduction.

“Sleep and settling can be some of the toughest aspects of parenting and that’s why we continue to offer comprehensive support through our free statewide Maternal and Child Health services across Victoria,” the spokesperson said.

“We’re also making sure families that need extra support have options to turn to, whether that’s through tailored in-home outreach support or via our expanded Early Parenting Centre network.”

How has Monash Council reacted to the news?

Monash Council passed a motion during a meeting late last month, requesting the State Government urgently reinstate the funding and partner with the Municipal Association of Victoria in further advocating for action.

Monash councillor Rebecca Paterson said it was a “disappointing” outcome for families who have found the service a valuable resource.

“As a mum of four, I think sleep settling services are an absolutely vital service for families,” she said.

“There aren’t enough of them and they’re expensive.

“They can change a family’s life around.”

Deputy mayor Brian Little said the Victorian Government’s decision to cut the vital funds was “troubling, to say the least” and “beggars belief” considering the funding cut came not long after they celebrated the opening of the Dorrington facility.

“We have a waiting list of people who are trying to get into it,” he said.

“I’m hoping this is just a mistake.”