Published Friday, 13 July, 2007 at 09:39 AM
Minister for Child Safety
The Honourable Desley Boyle
New partnership and $1M helps families in Logan and in Brisbane’s west
A new partnership between the First Contact Aboriginal Corporation for Youth and the Queensland Government will help motivate more parents whose children are at risk of being removed because of concerns about abuse or neglect.
Child Safety Minister Desley Boyle has approved more than $1million for the First Contact Aboriginal Corporation for Youth to work with families referred by the Department of Child Safety. The corporation will receive $340,000 a year for three years and a one-off grant of $37,900 in 2006–07 to buy assets and to cover setup costs.
“I am told that First Contact does really good work within the local community and this funding will help them to provide more help to families,” 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,” she said.
“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.
"Workers from First Contact will work with parents who genuinely want to learn how to do a better job with their kids, but know they need guidance and some better skills so they can care for them properly.”
First Contact Aboriginal Corporation for Youth chairman Robbie Williams said the funding would extend their reach to families in need.
“This funding will help us to provide intensive family intervention services to 70-85 families Logan and Brisbane West area each year,” Mr Williams said.
“We are a very multi-purpose organisation and this funding will allow us to continue to support Indigenous families, both in and out of their homes.”
Mr Williams said First Contact would offer counselling, family support with a view to reunification, and work to improve family environments.
“We work with a lot of different families – not just Indigenous. We also work with non-Indigenous people who have custody of Indigenous kids and need our support to raise our kids in respect of their culture.
“This funding will help us to form partnerships in order to make family intervention services accessible to everyone,” Mr Williams said.
Ms Boyle said the Department of Child Safety valued its community partners, including First Contact.
“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 contacts
Minister Boyle: 3224 7477
First Contact Aboriginal Corporation for Youth: 3420 4291
13 July 2007
Child Safety Minister Desley Boyle has approved more than $1million for the First Contact Aboriginal Corporation for Youth to work with families referred by the Department of Child Safety. The corporation will receive $340,000 a year for three years and a one-off grant of $37,900 in 2006–07 to buy assets and to cover setup costs.
“I am told that First Contact does really good work within the local community and this funding will help them to provide more help to families,” 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,” she said.
“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.
"Workers from First Contact will work with parents who genuinely want to learn how to do a better job with their kids, but know they need guidance and some better skills so they can care for them properly.”
First Contact Aboriginal Corporation for Youth chairman Robbie Williams said the funding would extend their reach to families in need.
“This funding will help us to provide intensive family intervention services to 70-85 families Logan and Brisbane West area each year,” Mr Williams said.
“We are a very multi-purpose organisation and this funding will allow us to continue to support Indigenous families, both in and out of their homes.”
Mr Williams said First Contact would offer counselling, family support with a view to reunification, and work to improve family environments.
“We work with a lot of different families – not just Indigenous. We also work with non-Indigenous people who have custody of Indigenous kids and need our support to raise our kids in respect of their culture.
“This funding will help us to form partnerships in order to make family intervention services accessible to everyone,” Mr Williams said.
Ms Boyle said the Department of Child Safety valued its community partners, including First Contact.
“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 contacts
Minister Boyle: 3224 7477
First Contact Aboriginal Corporation for Youth: 3420 4291
13 July 2007