Escare to operate new support service in Esperance

24/10/96

Escare will operate a new family support and development service in Esperance, Family and Children's Services Minister Cheryl Edwardes announced today.

Mrs Edwardes said Escare would run a new service to help people with children up to 12 years of age who needed advice on how to manage their children, or on the community services available to families.

Once an agreement had been signed, Family and Children's Services would provide the organisation with $27,500 in funding for the project.

"This service will provide support in a variety of ways to families who are finding it hard to manage their children," Mrs Edwardes said.

"Counsellors will give informal counselling and advice on parenting so parents will be able to work out strategies for dealing with family crises, or avoiding them altogether.

"The service will also offer practical parenting skills and group activities so parents can practise their skills in an informal setting.

"People will be able to obtain information on other services and resources in the area which will help them carry out their parenting responsibilities effectively.

"They will be able to develop skills that will help them manage the family successfully. This will ease the stress of daily living and help them avoid crises in the future."

Mrs Edwardes said she believed the agreement marked the start of a good relationship which would enable the centre to provide services to meet the needs of local residents.

Media contact: Diana Russell Coote 421 7777