Published Friday, 13 July, 2007 at 09:38 AM

Minister for Child Safety
The Honourable Desley Boyle
New funding boosts Atherton’s family reunification services
Extra State Government funding will see the Atherton Neighbourhood Centre expand its services and help motivate more parents whose children have been removed because of concerns about abuse or neglect.
Child Safety Minster Desley Boyle said she had approved the centre’s funding for another three years and increased the amount it would receive.
The Atherton Neighbourhood Centre Family Support Program will receive $206,500 a year for three years, which is an increase in funding of $125,400. It will also receive a one-off grant of $3400 for computers and setup costs.
“The Atherton Neighborhood Centre does a fantastic job working with families where children have been taken into care,” Ms Boyle said.
"Sometimes people have never had decent role models themselves and just need some help to develop parenting skills. They need to learn how to set a routine, have regular meals, set guidelines for their kids, and how to resolve conflicts without violence.
“Whatever the background, when children have been abused and taken into care, the message to parents has to be strong and direct. We will help you to sort out your problems, but if you don’t get your act together then an alternative, permanent home will be found for your children.
"Staff from the Atherton Neighbourhood Centre work with parents who genuinely want their children back and know they need guidance and some better skills so they can care for them properly,” Ms Boyle said.
Atherton Neighbourhood Centre Family Support House co-ordinator Jacqui Philippa said the funding would improve existing family reunification services.
“It’s about family connection and reunification, so we work very intensively with a small number of families at a time for between 12-18 months to provide a quality connection between family members,” Ms Philippa said.
She said the current level of funding enabled them to work with eight to ten families at a time, which could equate to 50-60 people, depending on the number of people in the family.
The new funding means they would be able to work with an extra 20 families.
“What is unique about our family reunification services is that we work in collaboration with other non-government organisations such as WuChopperen (the Recognised Entity in the region), Centacare (who offer a counselling service), Lifeline and Cooktown Family Resource Centre,” she said.
Ms Boyle said the Department of Child Safety valued its community partners, including the Atherton Neighbourhood Centre.
“Protecting children is everyone’s business and is not something that one department can do alone,” Ms Boyle said.
“More than half the Department of Child Safety’s annual Budget goes to our partners,” she said.
In 2007-08, $287.7 million is allocated to Child Safety partners, including community agencies, foster carers, and other Government departments.
Ends
Media contact:
Minister Boyle: 3224 7477
Atherton Family Support House: 4091 3850
13 July 2007
Child Safety Minster Desley Boyle said she had approved the centre’s funding for another three years and increased the amount it would receive.
The Atherton Neighbourhood Centre Family Support Program will receive $206,500 a year for three years, which is an increase in funding of $125,400. It will also receive a one-off grant of $3400 for computers and setup costs.
“The Atherton Neighborhood Centre does a fantastic job working with families where children have been taken into care,” Ms Boyle said.
"Sometimes people have never had decent role models themselves and just need some help to develop parenting skills. They need to learn how to set a routine, have regular meals, set guidelines for their kids, and how to resolve conflicts without violence.
“Whatever the background, when children have been abused and taken into care, the message to parents has to be strong and direct. We will help you to sort out your problems, but if you don’t get your act together then an alternative, permanent home will be found for your children.
"Staff from the Atherton Neighbourhood Centre work with parents who genuinely want their children back and know they need guidance and some better skills so they can care for them properly,” Ms Boyle said.
Atherton Neighbourhood Centre Family Support House co-ordinator Jacqui Philippa said the funding would improve existing family reunification services.
“It’s about family connection and reunification, so we work very intensively with a small number of families at a time for between 12-18 months to provide a quality connection between family members,” Ms Philippa said.
She said the current level of funding enabled them to work with eight to ten families at a time, which could equate to 50-60 people, depending on the number of people in the family.
The new funding means they would be able to work with an extra 20 families.
“What is unique about our family reunification services is that we work in collaboration with other non-government organisations such as WuChopperen (the Recognised Entity in the region), Centacare (who offer a counselling service), Lifeline and Cooktown Family Resource Centre,” she said.
Ms Boyle said the Department of Child Safety valued its community partners, including the Atherton Neighbourhood Centre.
“Protecting children is everyone’s business and is not something that one department can do alone,” Ms Boyle said.
“More than half the Department of Child Safety’s annual Budget goes to our partners,” she said.
In 2007-08, $287.7 million is allocated to Child Safety partners, including community agencies, foster carers, and other Government departments.
Ends
Media contact:
Minister Boyle: 3224 7477
Atherton Family Support House: 4091 3850
13 July 2007