Victoria wins early families funding

Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Larry Anthony, today said Victoria was an early winner from the $365 million funding announced by the Prime Minister today for the Australian Government’s Stronger Families and Communities Strategy.

“Victorian families living in the Shire of East Gippsland will benefit from more than $3.3 million to Kilmany UnitingCare under the Communities For Children initiative.

“Kilmany UnitingCare has worked in the East Gippsland area for more than 25 years and will work closely under this initiative with local organisations, community leaders and government to provide support and assistance to the 2,450 children under the age of five years in the area.

“The Australian Government has approved two new in-home care services in Victoria as part of its commitment to give families greater choice and more flexibility to choose the best type of child care that suits their needs.

“Funded under the Choice and Flexibility in Child Care initiative, the Kids In-Home Care in North Fitzroy and the Portland Community In-Home Care will share in new places to help support those families who, because of their specific needs, do not have access to other child care options.

“Jesuit Social Services in Richmond will receive $75,000 to continue the Collingwood Community Information Centre for another 18 months. The Centre provides an information and a drop-in service for low-income families in the area and is a great example of projects funded under the Local Answers initiative.

“Victoria will also share the benefits of the $13.6 million for six projects funded under the Early Childhood – Invest To Grow initiative such as the development of the $4 million Parenting Information Website. The website will give parents and professionals high quality information on early childhood development, the health and well-being of children and positive parenting.

“This new look Stronger Families and Communities Strategy focuses even more on children’s development during their formative years will provide great support for families in Victoria,” Mr Anthony said.

More information can be found on the Stronger Families and Communities Strategy website at www.facs.gov.au.