Funding for Catherine McAuley Family Centre, Wembley

11/7/97

The Catherine McAuley Family Centre in Wembley has been guaranteed funding until mid-1998, Family and Children's Services Minister Rhonda Parker and Federal Family Services Minister Judi Moylan announced today.

This means the centre can continue to provide crisis accommodation and support for up to 31 homeless young people, aged between 15 and 18, at a time.

Family and Children's Services has granted the centre $365,623 a year until June 30, 1998 under the Supported Accommodation Assistance Program (SAAP).

SAAP is a joint State and Commonwealth Government program, which provides more than 100 accommodation and support services for homeless people in Western Australia.

"The Catherine McAuley Family Centre operates a youth hostel for six young people at a time with an around-the-clock youth worker who helps prepare them to live independently," Mrs Parker said.

"The centre also provides a transitional accommodation service which is designed to help four young women develop their confidence in living independently.

"There is also an early intervention outreach service which offers mediation, therapy, information and education designed to prevent family breakdown while an outreach support service helps young people secure, establish and maintain independent accommodation."

Mrs Moylan said the community had a responsibility to provide accommodation and support for young people in crisis or at risk of a crisis.

"This agreement demonstrates the Commonwealth and State Governments' commitment to supporting young people," she said.

Media contact: Kaye Hopkins 9481 7810 or Sandi Logan (06) 277 7240