South Australian families receive funding boost

Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Larry Anthony, today said South Australia 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.

“Families in the north western suburbs of Adelaide will benefit from the $3.4 million funding made under the Communities For Children initiative. UnitingCare Wesley,
Port Adelaide will coordinate the funding for a range of services which provide early childhood support.

“UnitingCare Wesley will consult across the community to develop a Community Action Plan that responds to needs of the 2,760 children under the age of five who live in the area. Programs that might be developed include parenting courses, setting up day care services, or improving the coordination of services. This funding will make a real difference to the lives of these children and families.

“Two local projects under the Local Answers initiative have also been funded. Enfield Primary School’s Café (Children and Families Everywhere) project will receive $200,000 funding to extend it for the next two years. Cystic Fibrosis SA will also receive funds of almost $12,000 to develop a statewide network that supports families who are dealing with this terrible illness.
“South Australia will also share the benefits of the $13.6 million for six projects funded under the Early Childhood – Invest To Grow initiative. Funding of $4 million has been allocated to the Secretariat for National Aboriginal and Islander Child Care (SNAICC) to set up and manage a national resource service.

“SNAICC will directly help communities and services that are involved in the development and implementation of early childhood programs for Indigenous children across Australia.

“South Australian families will also greatly benefit from the development of a Parenting Information Website. $4 million has been allocated to the website to give parents and professionals high quality information on early childhood development, the health and wellbeing 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 South Australia,” Mr Anthony said.

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