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Bringing together the family services in Mt Druitt |
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| 12 Mar 2009 |
 Mission Australia will today launch a new Mt Druitt Child and Family Services Directory to improve the links between local practitioners and help prevent families in need from falling through the cracks.The Directory, which will be launched at the Early Childhood Forum at the Rooty Hill RSL from 3.30 – 7.30pm this evening (Thurs 12 March), will create greater continuity between the agencies who work with young children in the area and help give local families a seamless service as they move from one agency to another... It’s a practical guide that provides details and descriptions of what services are on offer in Mt Druitt, the criteria for becoming involved and who to contact for more information. Internationally recognised researcher and author on early childhood health, Professor Frank Oberklaid from the Centre for Community Child Health in Melbourne, is the keynote speaker at the Forum. Professor Oberklaid is also a recipient of a Centenary Medal for outstanding leadership in community health research and in early intervention approaches. “Parents in Mt Druitt often find it difficult to know what services are available to them and where to go when they need help or support,” said Angela Power, Mission Australia Service Manager for Communities for Children, Blacktown. “Linking them to local services is critical to strengthening families and promoting the well-being of young children. That’s the reason behind having both the Directory and the Forum – to give families and children better quality, more holistic support when they need it most. “Providing greater integration between the services will also reduce the likelihood of parents finding themselves overcome by that horrible feeling of helplessness when they don’t know who to approach for assistance or where to start looking.” For the first time the Forum will also bring together the range of organisations that work with Mt Druitt’s young children and their families including: preschools, schools, family support services, health and child protection services. (The Forum will also see the launch of the new Child Protection and Family Support Interagency which will meet regularly and strengthen the capacity of services to work together). Both the Directory and the Forum have been organised and funded through Mission Australia’s Communities for Children service which provides free programs for children aged five years or younger and their families including: playgroups supported by a speech pathologist and early childhood teacher; parenting courses; living skills programs such as basic cooking; first aid; house and garden hints; budget counselling; and a gym for kids. When required, parents can access free childcare through Communities for Children so they can take part in the activities. Anyone with children five and under can participate and parents wishing to get involved can call (02) 9832 8649. The Communities for Children program is funded by the Commonwealth Government.
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