More support for vulnerable children in Central Australia

Vulnerable families in Alice Springs will have extra help to provide a safe, happy and healthy environment for their children.

The Federal Minister for Families, Jenny Macklin and the Northern Territory Minister for Central Australia, Karl Hampton today launched the Alice Springs Communities for Children program.

There are now 45 Communities for Children sites funded throughout Australia, including four in the Northern Territory.

In Alice Springs, Anglicare NT, in cooperation with other local providers, will deliver early intervention and prevention services to improve the health and wellbeing of vulnerable children and their parents.

Ms Macklin said some families in Central Australia, including many Indigenous Australians, face significant disadvantage and need extra support.

“The protection of vulnerable children is one of the greatest responsibilities of all Governments,” Ms Macklin said.

“The early intervention and prevention services provided by Communities for Children help to prevent child neglect and abuse before they occur.

“Communities for Children will provide a range of services to families in Alice Springs, including mobile and outreach playgroups, early learning and literacy programs, parenting and family support programs, child nutrition, and child friendly community events.”

Mr Hampton said Communities for Children was a locally driven initiative, where the provider forms partnerships with other local organisations to support families with children at risk of disadvantage.

“This helps to ensure that the services being provided meet local needs,” he said.

Tangentyere Council, Akeyulerre Aboriginal Healing Centre and Lutheran Community Care have formed a partnership with Anglicare NT to deliver these services.

The Member for Lingiari and Minister for Indigenous Health, Warren Snowdon said the $3 million program in Alice Springs builds on the partnership between the Australian and Northern Territory governments through the Alice Springs Transformation Plan to improve the lives of the people of the town, particularly the residents of the Alice Springs town camps.

“It also reflects the Australian Government’s commitment to children’s wellbeing and safety,” Mr Snowdon said.

The Australian Government is working with the states and territories and non-government sector to implement the National Framework for Protecting Australia’s Children 2009-2020, an ambitious and long-term agenda to improve the safety and wellbeing of Australia’s children.