The Acting Minister for Family and Community Services Andrew Constance today reaffirmed the NSW Government’s commitment to ensuring Aboriginal children get the best start in life, announcing the appointment of service providers to run six Aboriginal Child and Family Centres across NSW.
Mr Constance said the new Aboriginal Child and Family Centres will bring together a range of early childhood, health and family support services to improve the overall health and wellbeing of children and support for their families, such as supported playgroups, parenting programs and adult education opportunities.
"When children’s early years are healthy and happy, they are set up for a productive adulthood. These centres will provide essential services that will make a big difference to families and children in those first five years," Mr Constance said.
"The centres will consult local Aboriginal families to ensure services are improved and aligned to local priorities and needs. The centres will also work in partnership with existing local services and programs to avoid duplication and ensure integrated and efficient service delivery.
The successful partnerships are:
"Today’s announcement demonstrates this Government’s commitment to accountable, transparent and integrated service delivery. A commitment which will see improved outcomes for Aboriginal children and families and a closing of the gap on Aboriginal disadvantage," Mr Constance said.
Community Services will be responsible for establishing the centres across NSW which will begin operating this year in temporary facilities while new purpose-built buildings are constructed.
More than $74 million has been allocated by the Commonwealth Government to fund the centres as part of the Indigenous Early Childhood Development National Partnership.
The successful service providers were selected through an open tender process by NSW Public Works, Community Services and representatives of the local Aboriginal community in each location. Public Works NSW managed the tendering process with an independent probity advisor.
Service providers for the first Aboriginal Child and Family Centres have already started improving services for Aboriginal children and families in Mt Druitt and Ballina, while Campbeltown’s services will soon be underway.
MEDIA CONTACTS
Dominic Cuschieri - 0467 741 503 (Minister Constance)
Simon Fontana - 0467 738 139 (Minister Goward)
To view the PDF version of this media release you can access it here.