New service for people from multi-cultural backgrounds

11/11/96

Services for families from multicultural backgrounds will improve as a result of a new training and support service for vital community organisations, Family and Children's Services Minister Cheryl Edwardes said today.

The service will give training and support to staff of community centres and neighbourhood centres in the needs of families from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

Mrs Edwardes said Family and Children's Services would provide $50,000 a year to a non-profit organisation or local authority to develop the service.

"It is very important that people be given appropriate support when they attend community centres and neighbourhood centres," she said.

"People are more likely to approach or revisit an organisation when they know they will receive appropriate service there.

"Supporting staff and training them to be sensitive to the needs of people from a wide range of backgrounds will improve support services and benefit the whole community."

Mrs Edwardes said the service would provide training and support for two centres in each year of the funding contract, which was expected to run until December 31, 1999.

The department was seeking proposals from organisations to establish and run the service and the closing date for applications was December 2, 1996.

Expressions of interest could be directed to industry services at Family and Children's Services on (09) 222 2618.

Media contact: Diana Russell Coote 421 7777