Funding to strengthen Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families across Queensland

Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander families are set to benefit from the opening of a new round of Queensland Government funding.

Child Safety Minister Di Farmer said the second round of the Empowering Families Innovation Grants (EFIG) aimed at achieving better outcomes for Indigenous children. 

The grants, along with the First 1000 Days Australia initiative and Early Childhood Development Coordinators, are enabled through the $6M Empowering Families Innovation Fund.

“We need to ensure everyone is thinking outside the box and looking at new and innovative ways to reduce the overrepresentation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in the child protection system,” she said.

“We know we need new ways of working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families if we want better outcomes than we have been getting for decades.

“The second grants round is designed to strengthen Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander families with initiatives focused on home support, family reunification, foster care recruitment, family finder services as well as innovative approaches to enable the voices of children and families to be heard.”

The Empowering Families Innovation Grants aim to encourage organisations to build on what we know works as well as seek out new ways of working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families within communities.

Nearly $270,000 in funding has been allocated in the first round of EFIG grants - shared between seven Queensland organisations to help them implement innovative ideas to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families keep their children safe at home.

Minister Farmer congratulated applicants from the first round on their success, and said she looked forward to seeing the results of their work.

Projects to receive funding under the first round of the EFIG include:

• North Coast Aboriginal Corporation for Community Health - ‘Kalang Jarjums’ - Sunshine Coast, Gympie - $15,000
• Northern Peninsula Area Family and Community Services Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Corporation – ‘Protecting our Children Media Project’ – Northern Peninsula Area - $10,954
• Early Learning Schools Australia – ‘Early Years Culture Time’ – Townsville - $13,300
• Footsteps to Freedom – ‘Empowering Families’ - Ipswich and close surrounding areas - $15,000
• Puuya Foundation – ‘Women's Leadership Program’ - Lockhart River $100,000
• Gundala Kindergarten Association – ‘The Gundala Jarjums and Family Hub’ – Wynnum, Manly, Lota, Capalaba, Hemmant, Tingalpa, Alexandra Hills -  $100,000

Expressions of Interests are now sought for the second round of EFIG grants. Visit www.qld.gov.au/empoweringfamiliesfund for details on how to apply.

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Media Contact:         Ron Goodman       0427 781 920