Published Wednesday, 04 June, 2008 at 10:55 AM
Minister for Communities, Disability Services, ATSIP, Multicultural Affairs, Seniors and Youth
The Honourable Lindy Nelson-Carr
Mackay and Ipswich families benefit from Best Start initiative
The first two centres to receive funding under the Queensland Government’s $1.44 million Best Start initiative were announced in Parliament today by Communities Minister Lindy Nelson-Carr.
Ms Nelson-Carr said Early Years Health and Wellbeing teams will be based in Ipswich and Mackay to facilitate the referral of identified prep year children to targeted health and wellbeing services.
“The early intervention project will work to improve the health and wellbeing of prep year children at selected state schools in Mackay and Ipswich so our young people get the best start in life,” Ms Nelson-Carr said.
“Mackay’s George Street Neighbourhood Association Inc. and the Australian Red Cross in Ipswich; will each receive $180,000 per year over three years, to employ a facilitator and community liaison worker.
“The workers will direct parents to services for young children and their families, through a school facilitated referral service.
“Employing community liaison workers is a proven strategy for supporting successful engagement with indigenous children and families, and families from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
“Additionally, the Mackay service will receive one-off funding of $85,000 while the Ipswich service will receive $75,000 in one-off funding, to assist with set-up costs.”
Ms Nelson-Carr said the project would support parents wanting to access a range of information, including advice on nutrition, parenting skills, and physical education activities.
“We know how important the early years are for our children and this vision to improve access to prevention and early intervention services will ensure the best start for future generations”.
The project involves collaboration between the Department of Communities, Queensland Health, and the Department of Education, Training and the Arts.
Media Contact: Minister Nelson-Carr’s office 3235 4280
Ms Nelson-Carr said Early Years Health and Wellbeing teams will be based in Ipswich and Mackay to facilitate the referral of identified prep year children to targeted health and wellbeing services.
“The early intervention project will work to improve the health and wellbeing of prep year children at selected state schools in Mackay and Ipswich so our young people get the best start in life,” Ms Nelson-Carr said.
“Mackay’s George Street Neighbourhood Association Inc. and the Australian Red Cross in Ipswich; will each receive $180,000 per year over three years, to employ a facilitator and community liaison worker.
“The workers will direct parents to services for young children and their families, through a school facilitated referral service.
“Employing community liaison workers is a proven strategy for supporting successful engagement with indigenous children and families, and families from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
“Additionally, the Mackay service will receive one-off funding of $85,000 while the Ipswich service will receive $75,000 in one-off funding, to assist with set-up costs.”
Ms Nelson-Carr said the project would support parents wanting to access a range of information, including advice on nutrition, parenting skills, and physical education activities.
“We know how important the early years are for our children and this vision to improve access to prevention and early intervention services will ensure the best start for future generations”.
The project involves collaboration between the Department of Communities, Queensland Health, and the Department of Education, Training and the Arts.
Media Contact: Minister Nelson-Carr’s office 3235 4280