Families to benefit from $4 million for Playgroups
Thirteen communities across Australia will share in over $4 million in Australian Government funding to deliver specialised playgroups to families in need.
Minister for Families and Community Services, Mal Brough said the funding was made up of $3.2 million to eight new communities and $830,000 to fund five existing mobile playgroups through the Intensive Support Playgroup service.
"Eight new communities will benefit from funding of $3.2 million over three years for the delivery of the highly successful Intensive Support Playgroup service," Mr Brough said.
"We will also provide $830,000 in funding to five existing Intensive Support Playgroups to continue the great work they are doing engaging with children and their families. The mobile playgroups set up in areas such as caravan parks and housing estates where families would not usually access a playgroup.
"These are families needing additional support and the playgroups provide the necessary assistance to address parents needs, while giving their children the opportunity to learn and develop through play.
"The work of mobile playgroups shows that all Australian children, no matter where they live or what their circumstances, can participate in playgroups to encourage their future learning.
"Qualified early childhood workers provide age appropriate activities for the children and work with their parents to help them learn more about their child’s development needs as well as build their confidence in their parenting skills.
"A family support worker is also on hand to work with the parents and local services such as Centrelink, housing, health and schools, assisting them to improve the health and wellbeing of their children.
"Intensive Support Playgroups fill an important need in our communities, they enable both parents and children to develop relationships and learn new skills and the Howard Government will continue its support and funding for these services," Mr Brough said.
Funding for Additional Intensive Support Playgroup Site
| State | Sites | Service Providers |
|---|---|---|
| NSW | Bega Valley/Wallaga Lake | Consortium lead by Eurobodalla Family Support Service Inc. |
| NSW | Macquarie Fields | UnitingCare Burnside |
| NSW | Wentworth Shire | Mallee Family Care |
| QLD | Cooktown | Cooktown District Community Centre |
| SA | Ceduna/Yalata | Minya Bunhii Inc |
| VIC | Mildura | Mildura Aboriginal Corporation |
| VIC | Greater Dandenong | Consortium lead by Playgroup Victoria |
| WA | East Pilbara | Consortium lead by Resource Unit for Children with Special Needs Inc. |
Extension of Funding to Existing Intensive Support Playgroup Sites
| State/ Territory | Sites | Service Providers |
|---|---|---|
| NSW/QLD | Tweed Heads/Gold Coast | Save the Children Fund, Queensland |
| NT | Alice Springs Town Camps | Tangentyere Council |
| NT | Darwin | Save the Children Fund, Queensland |
| QLD | Brisbane | Save the Children Fund, Queensland |
| SA | Adelaide | Centacare Catholic Family Services |