Creation of 13 new family support services

12/1/96

Family and Children's Services Minister Cheryl Edwardes today announced the creation of 13 new support services to assist families in Western Australia.

The range of new services in Perth and country areas will include family support, a community centre, counselling and financial counselling services, youth services and education support.

Mrs Edwardes said Family and Children's Services would provide $564,447 to non-profit organisations and local authorities to develop the services. The department would seek expressions of interest from organisations to establish and run the services.

 "The services will provide valuable support to families and young people to improve the quality of their lives and relationships," Mrs Edwardes said.

"Families and young people face a range of stresses in their daily lives which may seem to become more complex.

"Any support that can make the task of bringing children up easier will enhance the quality of community life.

"Young people in particular find teenage years can be challenging and need support to help manage and make life decisions."

The new funded services are:

·       Family Support Service, Mirrabooka ($42,500) - the service will be culturally appropriate for Aboriginal and non-English-speaking families in the areas of child abuse and neglect, grief, loss, substance abuse and family violence.

·       Community Volunteer Service, East Pilbara ($25,144) - a pool of trained volunteers to support families in their parent role.

·       Family Counselling Service, East Pilbara ($62,440) - includes an outreach service for people with relationship problems.

·       Counselling Service, Kununurra/Wyndham ($60,000).

·       East Kimberley Youth Service ($80,311) - for young people aged 12 to 18 years at risk of family breakdown, homelessness or crisis.

·       Financial Counselling Service, Narrogin ($20,395).

·       Goldfields Family Counselling Service, Kalgoorlie/Boulder ($45,000) - counselling, treatment and skills development for families.

·       Service for Young People, Kalgoorlie/Boulder ($33,000) - for people aged 12 to 15 years who are at risk of crisis because of family conflict or substance abuse.

·       Family Support Service, Exmouth ($50,000) - information, support and counselling to parents to improve parenting skills; counselling to children and family members affected by violence and abuse.

·       Services for Youth, Bunbury ($12,116) - for people aged 12 to 18 years who are at risk of substance abuse, truancy, juvenile crime and family crisis.

·       Yanchep Community Centre ($49,041) - family support services and activities to enhance the wellbeing of families and children.

·       Youth and Family Education Support Service, Mirrabooka ($42,000) - to support young people in alternative education programs.

·       Youth Family Support Service, Mirrabooka ($42,500) - mediation service for young people aged 12 to 16 years and their families where conflict has resulted, or could result, in young people leaving home.

Media contact: Diana Russell Coote 421 7777