Funding for children’s wellbeing and prevention of child abuse
Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Larry Anthony, today announced more than $9.8 million in Australian Government funding for 32 services across the country to provide leadership in early intervention and prevention of child abuse.
“This funding comes under the REACH (Responding Early Assisting Children) program, and replaces the Early Intervention Parenting Program. The focus of the funding is to support programs that help vulnerable families meet their child’s wellbeing and developmental needs.
“The programs offer a range of support such as parenting education, home visits by counsellors, family support, playgroups, mentoring and community development.
Some of the services and programs to be funded include:
- The Sing and Grow Program in Queensland is an innovative music program that helps to build parenting skills and provides parents with the knowledge and capacity to use community resources.
- The Flying Start Program in Mt Gambier will build strong and positive family relationships helping to nuture happy children. The service is delivered through home-based and group sessions providing referral services, counselling, parenting skills training, mentoring, personal support and research and evaluation.
- The National Association for the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect (NAPCAN) will receive funding to increase the awareness of child protection issues and early childhood development in the lead up to Child Protection Week in September.
“This funding recognises the valuable work already undertaken by these services in improving parents and families’ abilities to respond appropriately to children’s needs for care, safety and development through timely access to community resources.
“The Australian Government is committed to ensuring children get the best possible start in life and builds on receive initiatives such as the refocused Stronger Families and Communities Strategy and development of a National Agenda for Early Childhood.
“Focusing national effort on prevention and early intervention during the early years, including supporting the vital role of parents as the primary carers and educators of young children is essential,” Mr Anthony said.
Attached is a list of details for the 32 services.
| State/Territory | Organisation | Service | Funding over 3 years(GST excl.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| National | NAPCAN | Child Protection Week | $690 000 |
| ACT | Belconnen Community Service Inc | Good Beginnings | $210 000 |
| NSW | Good Beginnings Australia Ltd | Good Beginnings Inner Western Sydney | $333 486 |
| Deniliquin Council- Regional Social Development Group | Parenting Programs | $162 000 | |
| Shoalhaven Division of General Practice | Young Parents Early Intervention Parenting | $162 000 | |
| Byron Shire Council | CARE Parent Support Program | $279 000 | |
| Tresillian Family Care Centres | Home Visiting Intervention Program | $378 000 | |
| UnitingCare Burnside – Macarthur Family Services | The Family Centre’s Access Program | $240 000 | |
| KU Children’s Services | Parenting Program | $345 000 | |
| Lower Mountains Family Support Service | Family Links Program | $162 000 | |
| Coffs Harbour Aboriginal Family Community Care Centre | Parents as Partners | $357 000 | |
| NT | Good Beginnings Australia Ltd | Good Beginnings Katherine | $360 432 |
| YWCA of Darwin Inc | Palmerston and Rural Parenting Support Service | $360 000 | |
| Qld | Northern Peninsula Area Women’s Shelter ATSI | NPA Intensive Family Support Program | $354 000 |
| Sisters Inside Inc | PEEK – Programs to Enable the Empowerment of Kids | $375 000 | |
| Save the Children Fund – Queensland Division | Mobile Playscheme | $225 705 | |
| George Street Neighbourhood Centre Association Inc | Good Beginnings | $162 000 | |
| Nambour Community Centre | Good Beginnings | $216 000 | |
| Playgroup Association of Queensland Inc | Sing and Grow | $390 000 | |
| SA | UnitingCare Wesley Port Adelaide | Takikurtinna Wiltarnendi – Families Becoming Stronger | $300 000 |
| Anglican Community Care Inc Mt Gambier | Flying Start | $319 500 | |
| Alexandria Council | Families First Volunteer Home Visiting | $162 000 | |
| University of South Australia – Centre for Rural and Regional Development | Rural and Remote Early Intervention | $276 000 | |
| TAS | Good Beginnings Hobart | Good Beginnings | $405 363 |
| Anglicare Devonport | Good Beginnings | $330 000 | |
| VIC | Abercare Family Services | Home-Start | $345 000 |
| Goulburn Valley Family Care Inc | Parent-Child Day Stay | $297 069 | |
| Parenting Australia (Jesuit Social Services) | Conversation Starters | $396 000 | |
| The Queen Elizabeth Centre | Parenting Plus | $345 339 | |
| Migrant Resource Centre North East Inc | Parenting in a New Culture | $285 255 | |
| WA | Mofflyn (Uniting Church in Australia Property Trust) | Early Intervention | $319 125 |
| Agencies for South West Accommodation Inc | Parents Plus | $327 726 | |
| TOTAL | $9 870 000 |