Funding for Aboriginal family services in Tom Price

1/4/96

Family and Children's Services Minister Mrs Cheryl Edwardes announced today that the department had agreed to provide more than $150,000 to fund youth and Aboriginal family services in Tom Price.

Mrs Edwardes said the department had signed agreements which guaranteed $110,182 to Nintirri Centre Inc Family Support Programs and $50,933 to Paraburdoo/Tom Price Youth Support until June 30, 1998.

This would enable the organisations to make a valuable contribution to the community.

The Minister said the Paraburdoo/Tom Price Youth Service is mainly for young people aged between 12 and 18 who were at risk.

"Young people need to develop self-esteem and confidence and they will be helped to do this in various ways such as informal counselling and assistance with improving their relationship with peers and family," Mrs Edwardes said.

"They will be given support to help them deal with problems, such as learning skills to deal with substance abuse and truancy.

"There will be assistance in finding jobs, with further education and training.  They will also be given the means to prevent or deal with crises.

"As well, they will be given recreational and leisure opportunities and given information on the positive things available for them in the community.  All of which will help their self-esteem to grow.

"The Nintirri Centre's Neighbourhood House is for the general community and in particular parents and groups who are isolated and disadvantaged with specific problems.

"Isolated people, particularly those with children, will be given information about community groups, helped to deal with or avoid crises so they can manage their lives effectively.

"There will be courses and informal counselling so families can cope with the daily challenges of life in a positive way.

"The Nintirri Centre's Pilbara Mobile Counselling Service will be of assistance to isolated people and anyone who is having problems or facing difficult situations.

"Families will be helped in a variety of ways, through informal counselling and advice; by improving their life and parenting skills with practical courses; by arranging group activities and with information on community resources."

Mrs Edwardes said she believed the agreement marked the start of a good relationship which would benefit the community.

"These agreements for funding of services would enable the agencies to provide valuable programs and courses," she said.

Funding is as follows:

·       Paraburdoo/Tom Price Youth Support - $50,933 for young people aged between 12 and 18 who are at risk.

·       Nintirri Centre's Family Support Program, Tom Price - $42,091 for the general population, families with dependent children and those who are isolated or disadvantaged or facing special problems.

·       Nintirri Centre's 'The Pilbara Mobile Counselling Service', Tom Price - $68,091 for the general population and in particular isolated people, families with dependent  children and groups who have specific problems.

Media contact: Diana Russell Coote 421 7777