June 4, 2015
South Burnett CTC is celebrating being selected as the provider for two new State Government programs aimed at supporting families in the South Burnett.
The programs – “Family and Child Connect” and “Intensive Family Support” – will begin on July 27 and will be staffed by eight CTC employees with offices in Nanango, Kingaroy and Murgon.
CTC is believed to be the only agency in Queensland selected by the State Government to deliver both of these programs in the same area.
Member for Nanango Deb Frecklington said she was pleased the Labor Government had decided to continue on with programs developed under the former LNP government.
She said the the decision to award the contracts to South Burnett CTC was “fantastic”.
Mrs Frecklington said the former Child Safety Minister, Tracy Davis, during her time in office had been instrumental in ensuring the services would be delivered locally in the South Burnett rather than being included in the broader Wide Bay region.
CTC Youth and Community Services manager Kirsten Firman said “Family and Child Connect” was designed to help families under pressure.
“It is a local community-based intake and referral service that provides a pathway for families under pressure to access the support they need as early as possible without going through the child protection system,” Kirsten said.
“The aim of this program is to reduce the number of unnecessary referrals to Child Safety when the family needs assistance rather than a statutory intervention.”
She said it would support families in need with children under 18 years in their care, and pregnant women.
“Organisations and individuals will be able to contact the Family and Child Connect Service through a 1300 phone line, by email, through an online referral form and, of course, can just drop in to one of the CTC offices,” she said.
“A Local Level Alliance, including government and non-government services, will meet regularly to ensure that families are receiving the right sort of support at the right time and from the right people.”
She said the “Intensive Family Support” program would work with families who need some help and have children under 18 living with them.
“The service will work with families towards developing skills, routines and structure to take care of their children,” Kirsten said.
“Support will include immediate assistance, practical hands-on assistance, linking families to other specialist help and advocating with the family to get the help they need.
“This will allow families to work on a single case plan which includes all the support which will help them be safe, resilient and thrive as a family unit.”
