$2 million windfall for Kwinana families

 The Howard Government will deliver $2 million in funding over three years for projects in Kwinana, Western Australia, under the $142 million Communities for Childreninitiative.

The Minister for Family and Communities Services, Senator Kay Patterson, today officially launched the Kwinana Communities for Children site, which will improve the lives of children and their families in the community.

“The Smith Family will manage the site by working in collaboration with the community and stakeholders to develop and implement a plan tailored to the needs of the Kwinana community,” Senator Patterson said.

“This will include services aimed at improving ante and post natal health care for children, as well as using child care centres as community hubs, allowing services to be accessible to young children and their families.

“The project will also include the establishment of ‘Community Connection with Schools’, a locally developed project which will build relationships between schools and parents through school-based playgroups, home visiting and school readiness programs.

“The Kwinana Communities for Children project is also working with Alcoa Research Centre for Stronger Communities and Curtin University to develop strategies and activities for Kwinana’s Indigenous community.

“As part of the project, researchers have conducted surveys with members of the Indigenous community about their cultural and spiritual needs to ensure local services and projects address these needs.

“This Communities for Children funding is part of the Howard Government’s $490 million Stronger Families and Communities Strategy, designed to build on the strengths of the community and the existing infrastructure of organisations, networks and resources.

“Providing the Kwinana community with the necessary support and funding needed to develop early childhood initiatives will ultimately create a more stronger and resilient community for all,” Senator Patterson said.