Published Friday, 13 July, 2007 at 09:41 AM
Minister for Child Safety
The Honourable Desley Boyle
Boost for family services on Brisbane’s northside and the Sunshine Coast
Extra State Government funding will see St Vincent de Paul expand its services to Brisbane’s northside and the Sunshine Coast and help motivate more parents whose children at risk of being removed because of concerns about abuse or neglect.
Child Safety Minster Desley Boyle has approved over half a million dollars in funding to expand the St Vincent de Paul Society’s services to the region. It will receive $181,100 a year for three years and a one-off grant of $24,500 in 2006–07 to buy assets and to cover setup costs.
“St Vincent de Paul does a fantastic job working with families where children are at risk of being 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,” she said.
"Staff from St Vincent de Paul work with parents who genuinely want to do a better job with their kids and know they need guidance and some better skills so they can care for them properly.”
St Vincent de Paul Society Queensland Human Services Manager David Worsnop said the new funding would extend their reach to families in need.
“We have 8500 volunteers and 280 staff in Queensland who work together to provide early intervention and reunification services and family support,” Mr Worsnop said.
“Our Healthy Families program is an intensive intervention program designed to help parents and children make lasting, positive changes in their home.
“This new funding will allow us to ensure children are safe, that families are united and functioning at an improved level so that they are exiting the child protection system. Our program also seeks to stop them from entering it in the first place.”
Mr Worsnop said he expects the new funding would extend their reach to 70–80 families in Brisbane North and the Sunshine Coast.
Ms Boyle said the Department of Child Safety valued its community partners, including the St Vincent de Paul Society.
“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
St Vincent de Paul Society communications manager Ted Slack: 3010 1000
13 July 2007
Child Safety Minster Desley Boyle has approved over half a million dollars in funding to expand the St Vincent de Paul Society’s services to the region. It will receive $181,100 a year for three years and a one-off grant of $24,500 in 2006–07 to buy assets and to cover setup costs.
“St Vincent de Paul does a fantastic job working with families where children are at risk of being 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,” she said.
"Staff from St Vincent de Paul work with parents who genuinely want to do a better job with their kids and know they need guidance and some better skills so they can care for them properly.”
St Vincent de Paul Society Queensland Human Services Manager David Worsnop said the new funding would extend their reach to families in need.
“We have 8500 volunteers and 280 staff in Queensland who work together to provide early intervention and reunification services and family support,” Mr Worsnop said.
“Our Healthy Families program is an intensive intervention program designed to help parents and children make lasting, positive changes in their home.
“This new funding will allow us to ensure children are safe, that families are united and functioning at an improved level so that they are exiting the child protection system. Our program also seeks to stop them from entering it in the first place.”
Mr Worsnop said he expects the new funding would extend their reach to 70–80 families in Brisbane North and the Sunshine Coast.
Ms Boyle said the Department of Child Safety valued its community partners, including the St Vincent de Paul Society.
“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
St Vincent de Paul Society communications manager Ted Slack: 3010 1000
13 July 2007