Published Monday, 02 April, 2007 at 09:50 AM
Minister for Child Safety
The Honourable Desley Boyle
Funding for community to boost parenting skills on the Gold Coast
A service that helps Gold Coast parents who are struggling to provide a safe home for their children has received renewed funding from the Beattie Government.
Child Safety Minister Desley Boyle and Member for Southport Peter Lawlor today announced $196,600 each year for three years for Griffith University for its School of Psychology’s Family Interaction Program.
“With the pressures of modern life, it’s understandable that families can get stressed,” Ms Boyle said.
“Previous generations had extended family networks to help out. But now many families are disjointed with no relations nearby to fall back on for support. There’s shift work, single parents or young parents who, through no fault of their own, just don’t know how to do the job,” she said.
“In these situations children often bear the brunt of the frustrations parents feel.”
Mr Lawlor said: “The funding means parents will continue to receive practical, commonsense assistance to help them develop the sorts of skills that relieve stress, family conflict and anxiety.
“This includes everything from how to meet the needs of their children, how to establish routines in the home, how to communicate more effectively and even how to manage anger.
“Griffith will be helping the full range of families who come into contact with the Child Safety Department.
“In some cases a child has been removed from their family, in other cases they are still at home but the parents have acknowledged they need a hand.
“This sort of practical help can get parents back on track,” Mr Lawlor said.
Just over half of the department’s $506 million budget goes to its community partners, including foster and kinship carers and service providers.
Ms Boyle said community organisations and government could not protect children alone.
“Only when parents face up to their responsibilities will our children be truly protected. After all, our children only get one chance at childhood,” Ms Boyle said.
Ends
Media contact: 3224 7477
2 April 2007
Child Safety Minister Desley Boyle and Member for Southport Peter Lawlor today announced $196,600 each year for three years for Griffith University for its School of Psychology’s Family Interaction Program.
“With the pressures of modern life, it’s understandable that families can get stressed,” Ms Boyle said.
“Previous generations had extended family networks to help out. But now many families are disjointed with no relations nearby to fall back on for support. There’s shift work, single parents or young parents who, through no fault of their own, just don’t know how to do the job,” she said.
“In these situations children often bear the brunt of the frustrations parents feel.”
Mr Lawlor said: “The funding means parents will continue to receive practical, commonsense assistance to help them develop the sorts of skills that relieve stress, family conflict and anxiety.
“This includes everything from how to meet the needs of their children, how to establish routines in the home, how to communicate more effectively and even how to manage anger.
“Griffith will be helping the full range of families who come into contact with the Child Safety Department.
“In some cases a child has been removed from their family, in other cases they are still at home but the parents have acknowledged they need a hand.
“This sort of practical help can get parents back on track,” Mr Lawlor said.
Just over half of the department’s $506 million budget goes to its community partners, including foster and kinship carers and service providers.
Ms Boyle said community organisations and government could not protect children alone.
“Only when parents face up to their responsibilities will our children be truly protected. After all, our children only get one chance at childhood,” Ms Boyle said.
Ends
Media contact: 3224 7477
2 April 2007