Media Release by Senator the Hon Kay Patterson

$3.3 million windfall for children in the Katherine Region

Children and families in the Katherine region will have greater access to early intervention programs with the help of $3.3 million in funding over four years under the Howard Government’s Communities for Children initiative.

The Minister for Family and Community Services, Senator Kay Patterson, today announced that The Smith Family and Good Beginnings Australia will together provide services, which will help improve outcomes for young children in the Katherine community.

“The funding is part of the $490 million Stronger Families and Communities Strategy’s Communities for Children initiative, which is designed to engage community organisations to develop local early childhood initiatives to improve outcomes for young children,” Senator Patterson said.

“The Smith Family, in partnership with Good Beginnings Australia, will manage and facilitate the Communities for Children initiative in the Katherine region.

“The Smith Family and Good Beginnings Australia will work with the Katherine community to establish a Communities for Children Committee with broad representation from across the local region.

“Their first job will be to develop a four year community strategic plan that will identify the range of services and strategies needed to improve the health and well being of children and families.

“The Smith Family has a strong commitment and track record in assisting children, families and communities across Australia for many year. Good Beginnngs Australia is a specialist early childhood organisation delivering early intervention programs to families with young children.

“Good Beginnings Australia has been supporting and assisting the Katherine community for the past eight years, working with agencies, hospital, health and legal services, children’s services and playgroups.

“Providing communities, such as the Katherine region, with the necessary support and funding needed to develop early childhood initiatives is a key priority of the Howard Government,” Senator Patterson said.