New support services for Indigenous parents in Galiwin’ku

Indigenous parents with young children in Galiwin’ku will be able to continue to access vital support services through Communities for Children-Indigenous Parenting Service funded by the Australian Government.

The Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, Jenny Macklin, today announced the Government has appointed the Australian Red Cross as the new service delivery provider for Communities for Children in Galiwin’ku. The Government will provide the Australian Red Cross with almost $350,000 funding to run the service in Galiwin’ku to June 2014.

Ms Macklin said the service will continue to provide services and support to families with children aged up to 12 years and who are at risk of disadvantage.

“The Communities for Children-Indigenous Parenting Service in Galiwin’ku gives local Indigenous families access to three culturally appropriate specialists in early childhood development,” Ms Macklin said.

“This helps parents to support their children’s development, learning and wellbeing.

“The Australian Red Cross will develop resource materials in the local language about early childhood development, incorporating traditional cultural bush food and family support networks. These resources will also be shared with other organisations and groups working with families in the community,” Ms Macklin said.

The Minister for Indigenous Health and Member for Lingiari, Warren Snowdon, said the Australian Red Cross team will also run informal and formal support sessions with young mothers, men and families in local language.

“Regular bush camps and bush trips with families will allow for discussions and mediations in a culturally appropriate context and location,” Mr Snowdon said.

“In partnership with local provider Yalu Health and Education Centre, the Australian Red Cross will run activities with parents such as hunting, collecting bush medicines and cooking healthy food for infants.”

The Australian Government’s Family Support Program provides more than $1 billion over three years for families and children’s services and family law services to ensure that families across Australia, especially those living in disadvantaged locations, have access to more integrated services to support them during critical life events.

Communities for Children-Indigenous Parenting Services take a proactive approach to help vulnerable families tackle underlying issues which can present barriers to effective parenting.