July 2005

Boost for families in Casey

Vulnerable families in the City of Casey will benefit from a $4.19 million support program to reduce child abuse and neglect.

Minister for Children Sherryl Garbutt, said the Government would provide funding over four years to establish a new Family Support Innovations Project in the state’s largest and fastest growing municipality.

‘The aim of this project is to provide greater support to families under pressure and reduce child protection notification rates in the area,‘ Ms Garbutt said.

‘Families will now receive earlier, more intensive welfare support to address their problems before they escalate and require child protection involvement.

‘Family Support Innovations Projects have been operating across Victoria since 2002 and have contributed to Victoria defying increasing child protection notification rates across the nation.

‘Research makes it very clear that getting services to families earlier can prevent abuse and neglect.’

The Casey project, which began in February, is being delivered by Connections—Child, Youth and Family Services.

‘The program tailors support to meet the individual needs of families and this can range from counselling and parenting classes to practical assistance with childcare arrangements and housekeeping,’ Ms Garbutt said.

‘The Government is reaching out to at-risk families and delivering more intensive services to stop the cycle of family breakdown, child abuse and neglect.’

The Casey project is one of 15 new project sites across 21 local government areas.

Other new project sites include metropolitan projects in the Yarra Ranges and regional projects in Bendigo and Wodonga.