$3.3 million for family support services in Midland

Local families in the Midland area will be given additional support to help them provide a safe, happy and healthy environment for their children.

The Federal Minister for Families, Jenny Macklin, and the Member for Hasluck, Sharryn Jackson, today announced that the Midland local community would receive up to $3.3 million over three years from July 2010 to support local families and help reduce child abuse and neglect.

“The Communities for Children Plus site in Midland is one of only eight across the country,” Ms Macklin said.

“Communities for Children Plus will deliver a more coordinated approach between child and family services, state child protection authorities and adult services for parents where there may be a higher risk of child abuse and neglect,” Ms Macklin said.

“For example, in other Communities for Children Plus sites this coordinated approach to preventing child abuse and neglect has included case management, intensive parenting services, breakfast and homework clubs, peer support for children with drug addicted parents, and home visiting services.

Communities for Children Plus targets children under the age of 12 who need extra support to reach their full potential. This model allows the local community to develop and tailor the service to ensure it meets the needs of local children and their families.

Ms Jackson welcomed the announcement of Midland as the Western Australian Communities for Children Plus site.

“This is major win for the local community,” Ms Jackson said.
“This new site will provide Midland families with the services and support they need to provide a happy and healthy life for their children.

As with the Communities for Children model, a lead non-government organisation in each site will be funded to contract other local service providers. A selection process will begin shortly to select a suitable non-government organisation to work with Government agencies to provide the Communities for Children Plus service.

The Australian Government is providing almost $20 million over four years to establish eight Communities for Children Plus sites in communities of high disadvantage. Midland is the fifth site to be identified, adding to Playford in South Australia, Launceston in Tasmania, Cardinia in Victoria and Ipswich in Queensland.

Communities for Children Plus is a key initiative under the National Framework for Protecting Australia’s Children 2009-2020.