Funding boost for Gold Coast early childhood program

The fight against child abuse will be strengthened at the Gold Coast thanks to Queensland Government funding.

Communities Minister Warren Pitt said the National Association for Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect (NAPCAN) had been allocated funding to boost early childhood programs in four locations.

Mr Pitt said NAPCAN Queensland had been allocated a one-off grant of $19,200 to help establish the programs and $333,074 each year for three years to conduct the community programs.

“This funding will enable NAPCAN Queensland to implement its new Play a Part program at the Gold Coast, Springfield Lakes, Toowoomba and Chermside,” he said.

“The program will involve community education seminars to promote child abuse prevention.

“Local communities will also be encouraged to identify and implement strategies to help create child friendly communities.”

Mr Pitt said NAPCAN Queensland would work in conjunction with community groups in the region to develop integrated child abuse prevention strategies.

“These funds are part of a $6 million, three-year funding program to boost existing prevention and early intervention services for young children and their families,” he said.

“These extra services will help to ensure that Queensland children are nurtured, healthy and safe, and the families of young children are supported.”

Mr Pitt said the Department of Communities funding initiative was based on extensive research highlighting several positive long-term outcomes of investing in early years services for children and their families.

“These benefits include reducing the need for more intensive and sustained intervention for children and their families later in life”, he said.

Media contact: Peter Nibbs 3235 4280