$3.3 million for family support services in Midland

The Parliamentary Secretary for Community Services, Julie Collins, today officially launched the Midland Communities for Children Plus service.

Families in Midland will benefit from the new Communities for Children Plus site that will help protect Western Australian children from abuse and neglect.

The Communities for Children Plus service will be delivered by Swan Alliance who will receive $3.3 million over three years to offer a range of services for local Midland families including playgroups, after school and school holiday activities, and events to encourage social interaction between parents from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

“The aim of this local service is to provide a safe, happy and healthy environment for Western Australian children,” Ms Collins said.

“By working closely with local child and family service providers and locating services in the one place, staff can identify problems and intervene early before they escalate.

“With strong links to child protection authorities and adult services, families and children at risk from mental health issues, drug and alcohol misuse and domestic violence will be assisted through the Communities for Children Plus site.”

The Swan Alliance comprises Anglicare WA, Mission Australia and the parenting service Ngala and it will deliver services across Beechboro, Bullsbrook, Caversham, Ellenbrook, Kiara, Koongamia, Lockridge, Middle Swan, Midland, Stratton and Midvale.

The Midland Communities for Children Plus service targets children under the age of 12 who need extra support to reach their full potential.

“The benefit of this model is that it allows local communities to adapt their services to meet the needs of local families and their children,” Ms Collins said.

The Gillard Government is providing $20 million over four years to establish eight Communities for Children Plus sites in communities of high disadvantage across Australia – Midland in Western Australia, Kempsey and Campbelltown in New South Wales, Playford in South Australia, Launceston in Tasmania, Ipswich in Queensland Cardinia in Victoria, and East Arnhem in the Northern Territory.

Communities for Children Plus is a key initiative under the Australian Government’s National Framework for Protecting Australia’s Children 2009-2020.