Funding for Lockridge Family Support and Development Service

8/7/96

Family and Children's Services Minister Cheryl Edwardes announced today that an agreement had been signed with the Lockridge Community Group to provide a Family Support and Development Service which guaranteed it $49,041 a year until June 30, 1998.

Mrs Edwardes said the service would give support to families with dependent children by increasing their skills and giving them a variety of opportunities to improve their quality of life.

"Families who are socially or culturally isolated or who want to learn more about parenting will be able to learn a variety of skills," she said.

"There will be opportunities for parents to learn about health and how to play and communicate with their children positively.

"They will be helped to deal with or prevent crises and given skills that will help them make positive choices and decisions.

"This will ease the challenging stresses of daily living which will in turn benefit individuals, families and the community."

Mrs Edwardes said she believed the agreement marked a continuing good relationship and would enable the agency to continue to provide programs and courses to meet the needs of local residents.

Media contact: Diana Russell Coote 421 7777