Published Wednesday, 29 October, 2008 at 10:00 AM
JOINT STATEMENT
Minister for Child Safety and Minister for Women
The Honourable Margaret Keech
Minister for Communities, Disability Services, ATSIP, Multicultural Affairs, Seniors and Youth
The Honourable Lindy Nelson-Carr
Safety net grows for vulnerable Far North children and young people
Child Safety Minister Margaret Keech and Communities and Youth Minister Lindy Nelson-Carr today visited ACT for Kids – formerly the Abused Child Trust – which is rolling out almost $15 million in new and expanded services for at-risk children and young people across Far North Queensland.
During the visit Mrs Keech announced an implementation timetable for Safe Houses and Family Intervention Services (FIS) in four Indigenous communities.
Mrs Keech said the four $18.4 million (total: infrastructure and services) Safe Houses and FIS will be up and running in 2009.
“I am delighted to announce the Bligh Government is providing $10.5 million over three years for ACT for Kids to provide services for four Safe Houses in partnership with the Aboriginal Corporation of the West Cape York Peninsula Traditional Owners,” she said.
“Six family intervention workers will be based at the Safe Houses in Aurukun (2), Kowanyama (2), Napranum (1), and Pormpuraaw (1).
“They will support the 24/7 live in workers by working intensively with children and their families to help address child protection issues and improve relationships on the ground.
“The Safe Houses allow at risk children to remain in the communities and keep important cultural connections while their child protection needs are assessed.
“These workers help families with practical advice and support in relation to safe parenting and by working with other government and non-government partners in the community.
“The ACT for Kids FIS services will begin early next year and then operate within the Safe Houses when they come on-line later in the year.
“It is terrific today to meet the people directly involved and to see the work of ACT for Kids first hand.”
During the visit Minister Nelson-Carr congratulated ACT for Kids for delivering another State Government-funded program which was aimed at reducing youth crime.
“More than 100 young people have gone through the Youth Opportunity Program which works with young offenders and at-risk youth to help them break the cycle of crime,” Ms Nelson-Carr said.
“The program is operating in Cairns, Mossman, Yarrabah, Weipa, Napranum and Mapoon and also now includes a Bail Support Service,” she said.
“The program has also started working with offenders’ younger siblings who, without intervention, may follow offending behaviours and a future in the youth justice system.”
ACT for Kids was allocated $4.1 million in Queensland Government funding earlier this year to establish the Youth Opportunity Program over three years.
Ms Nelson-Carr said the initiative was providing important holistic and therapeutic interventions for young offenders and their families to tackle the underlying causes of youth crime.
“There are many factors which contribute to offending, from family dysfunction and poor social skills to a lack of access to training and education,” said the Minister.
“The Bligh Government is responding, with interventions provided through ACT for Kids tailored for particular needs, including getting them back into school or training, linking them to a local sports team, or even providing specialist counselling services.
“Families are also supported with parenting skills programs, practical financial support and family therapy.”
ACT for Kids also runs the new Bail Support Service, Ms Nelson-Carr said, which helps young people maintain suitable accommodation and provides their families with information, advice and referrals.
Ms Nelson-Carr said ACT for Kids worked in close partnership with Far North Queensland Youth Justice Service Centres to establish the Cairns-based Bail Support Service.
“These programs provide young people with opportunities to grow and learn, realise there’s a great future ahead if they choose to go after it and, of course, keep young people and their communities safe by reducing crime,” she said.
“Another long-term goal of this new service will be reducing the over-representation of Indigenous young people in the criminal justice system.”
Ms Nelson-Carr said ACT for Kids had a proven track record in providing high quality services to children and families and it was well-placed to develop effective local solutions.
Media contacts: Minister Nelson-Carr’s office on 3235 4280
Minister Keech’s office on 3224 7477
During the visit Mrs Keech announced an implementation timetable for Safe Houses and Family Intervention Services (FIS) in four Indigenous communities.
Mrs Keech said the four $18.4 million (total: infrastructure and services) Safe Houses and FIS will be up and running in 2009.
“I am delighted to announce the Bligh Government is providing $10.5 million over three years for ACT for Kids to provide services for four Safe Houses in partnership with the Aboriginal Corporation of the West Cape York Peninsula Traditional Owners,” she said.
“Six family intervention workers will be based at the Safe Houses in Aurukun (2), Kowanyama (2), Napranum (1), and Pormpuraaw (1).
“They will support the 24/7 live in workers by working intensively with children and their families to help address child protection issues and improve relationships on the ground.
“The Safe Houses allow at risk children to remain in the communities and keep important cultural connections while their child protection needs are assessed.
“These workers help families with practical advice and support in relation to safe parenting and by working with other government and non-government partners in the community.
“The ACT for Kids FIS services will begin early next year and then operate within the Safe Houses when they come on-line later in the year.
“It is terrific today to meet the people directly involved and to see the work of ACT for Kids first hand.”
During the visit Minister Nelson-Carr congratulated ACT for Kids for delivering another State Government-funded program which was aimed at reducing youth crime.
“More than 100 young people have gone through the Youth Opportunity Program which works with young offenders and at-risk youth to help them break the cycle of crime,” Ms Nelson-Carr said.
“The program is operating in Cairns, Mossman, Yarrabah, Weipa, Napranum and Mapoon and also now includes a Bail Support Service,” she said.
“The program has also started working with offenders’ younger siblings who, without intervention, may follow offending behaviours and a future in the youth justice system.”
ACT for Kids was allocated $4.1 million in Queensland Government funding earlier this year to establish the Youth Opportunity Program over three years.
Ms Nelson-Carr said the initiative was providing important holistic and therapeutic interventions for young offenders and their families to tackle the underlying causes of youth crime.
“There are many factors which contribute to offending, from family dysfunction and poor social skills to a lack of access to training and education,” said the Minister.
“The Bligh Government is responding, with interventions provided through ACT for Kids tailored for particular needs, including getting them back into school or training, linking them to a local sports team, or even providing specialist counselling services.
“Families are also supported with parenting skills programs, practical financial support and family therapy.”
ACT for Kids also runs the new Bail Support Service, Ms Nelson-Carr said, which helps young people maintain suitable accommodation and provides their families with information, advice and referrals.
Ms Nelson-Carr said ACT for Kids worked in close partnership with Far North Queensland Youth Justice Service Centres to establish the Cairns-based Bail Support Service.
“These programs provide young people with opportunities to grow and learn, realise there’s a great future ahead if they choose to go after it and, of course, keep young people and their communities safe by reducing crime,” she said.
“Another long-term goal of this new service will be reducing the over-representation of Indigenous young people in the criminal justice system.”
Ms Nelson-Carr said ACT for Kids had a proven track record in providing high quality services to children and families and it was well-placed to develop effective local solutions.
Media contacts: Minister Nelson-Carr’s office on 3235 4280
Minister Keech’s office on 3224 7477