New intensive support program for vulnerable children

The Palaszczuk Government will invest more than $2.5 million in a new Intensive Early Childhood Development Support program to support vulnerable children aged from birth to five years. 

Education Minister Kate Jones and Communities Minister Shannon Fentiman today announced the program to help Queensland families most in need of support. 

Minister Jones said the pilot program would fund six Queensland service providers in Townsville, Ipswich, Toowoomba, Cairns, South Brisbane and Bundaberg. 

“The funding will enable community organisations to support the learning, social and emotional development of children affected by complex issues such as domestic violence, abuse or neglect,” Ms Jones said. 

“These services could include therapeutic early childhood education and care focussing on social or language development, intensive supported playgroups, and programs for parents and children such as home visits that engage families in familiar environments.”

Organisations to receive the funding are the Townsville Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Corporation for Health Services, the Kummara Association in Ipswich, Uniting Care Community in Toowoomba, Act for Kids in Cairns, Micah Projects Inc. in South Brisbane and Phoenix House Association Inc. in Bundaberg.

Communities Minister Shannon Fentiman said the program was a joint effort between the Department of Education and Training and the Department of Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services.

“These organisations will receive around $400,000 each to build on their existing services that support families in need,” Ms Fentiman said.

“This funding will allow service providers to offer new, evidence-based programs to help our state’s most vulnerable children.

“Over the next 18 months, from 1 July 2015 to 31 December 2016, service providers will be able to develop and deliver the program and examine its outcomes for families”

Media contact: Minister Jones’ Office 3719 7530

                       Minister Fentiman’s Office 3719 7500