LOCAL support service providers for vulnerable children and their families will be able to access a new $5 million Federal Government funding program.
Federal Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs Minister Jenny Macklin said organisations working in communities , across Australia would be able to apply for a one-off grant of up to $200,000 to “help them better manage the impact of child abuse and neglect and deliver more targeted services for children”.
“The protection and safeguarding of children is our number one priority and is the responsibility of all governments,” Ms Macklin said.
She said the funding was also aimed at improving “community understanding of child abuse and neglect”.
Federal ministers recently praised the success of the First Action Plan of the National Framework for Protecting Australia’s Children, “in building firm foundations for the future actions to protect families at risk”.
They also agreed the Second Action Plan should focus on “strengthening partnerships between government and the community sector to improve access to services for vulnerable children and their families.”
Under the plan, governments are expected to develop and implement strategies to reduce risk factors for child abuse and neglect, particularly for indigenous children.
Services eligible for assistance would include those working with women’s safety, mental health, substance abuse and family and children’s support organisations.
For more information, visit
www.fahcsia.gov.au
