$20.5 million boost for Gold Coast children in care

Media release

December, 3 2007.

$20.5 million boost for Gold Coast children in care

Children at risk of harm in the South Brisbane and Gold Coast regions are set to benefit from more than $20.5 million in new and renewed funding from the Department of Child Safety over the next three years.

Child Safety Minister Margaret Keech announced the $20.59 million funding for 12 out-of-home care placement services to children and young people in the child protection system.

“This money means there will be another 74 places available for children who most desperately need our care and support, including 20 new places for Indigenous children,” Mrs Keech said.

“These funds are part of the second largest funding round announced by the department, and I know they’ll make a positive difference in the lives of many young people.

“Right now we are building a world class child protection system.

“That means our number one priority is giving children and young people at risk of harm a safe, loving and nurturing environment.

“The Queensland Government values the work our community partners, including foster carers and kinship carers, do with children who are victims of abuse or neglect at home

“Thanks to them, these children will sleep safer tonight and have the prospect of better life into the future.

“We try to keep families together, but if parents cannot or will not protect their children, then we must ensure the safety and wellbeing of the children.

Mrs Keech said funded services would provide a range of out-of-home care options including specialist foster care, residential care and foster and kinship care.

“The funding process focussed on finding better ways of caring for Indigenous children and young people who are significantly over represented in the child protection system,” she said.

“We sought and received submissions from a number of Indigenous organisations to meet the specific cultural needs of vulnerable Indigenous children and young people.

“The funding will also support our efforts to recruit more Indigenous carers and ensure the child’s cultural identity is maintained.”

Funding has been allocated to the following placement services in the South Brisbane and Gold Coast regions:

• Burleigh Heads
• Kalwun Development Corporation - Kalwun Foster and Kinship Care
• Labrador
• FSG Australia - FSG Australia Child Safety Program
• Mermaid Beach
• Lifestyle Solutions (Aust) Ltd - Specialist Foster Care Services
• Nerang
• Corporation of the Synod of the Diocese of Brisbane - Tufnell Residential and Community Care (TRACC) Gold Coast Foster Care
• Corporation of the Synod of the Diocese of Brisbane - Tufnell Residential and Community Care (TRACC) Gold Coast Specialist Care
• Lifeline Community Care - Families Plus Gold Coast Nerang Residential
• Robina
• Lifestyle Solutions (Aust) Ltd - Residential Care
• Southport
• Lifeline Community Care - Families Plus Gold Coast Harrison House Residential
• Sunnybank
• Kyabra Community Association Inc - Residential Care
• Manly West
• Save the Children Australia Queensland Division - WRICSI Silky Oaks STEP Program, Alexander Cottage
• Wynnum
• Corporation of the Synod of the Diocese of Brisbane - Tufnell Residential and Community Care (TRACC) South (Foster and Kinship Care)
• Save the Children Australia Queensland Division - Tufnell Residential and Community Care (TRACC) South

ENDS

Media Contact: Jo Crompton 3224 7081