Communities for Children Funding Extension for six Round One sites
In April 2008, Minister Jenny Macklin MP advised local MPs that she approved the extension of six Round One Communities for Children sites, with a total funding of $5.8 million, and funding for a three year extension of four early childhood activities in the Lismore area.
The one year extension is for Communities for Children sites in:
- Lismore and Murwillumbah, NSW
- Mirrabooka, WA
- Miller, NSW
- North West Adelaide, SA
- Launceston, Tas
- East Gippsland, Vic.
The completion date for the six Round One sites is now aligned with the other Communities for Children sites so all sites will finish in June 2009. This will allow time to evaluate all of the sites together while the Government considers the longer term direction of its early childhood investments.
The four activities being funded in the Lismore area are:
- Aboriginal Parent Mentoring Project - supporting Aboriginal Families to develop parenting skills (YWCA)
- Strengthening Attachment and Bonding - supporting families to cope with a new child (Lismore Family Support Network)
- Breastfeeding Support - supporting parents, and providing professional development to midwives (Northern Rivers Division of General Practice)
- Ready Steady School program - supporting children to attend childcare or preschool (Children's Services Communication and Social Support)
These projects will continue to be delivered through the Lismore Communities for Children site during 2008-09 until the Communities for Children Initiative ceases. The community agencies listed above will continue to deliver the projects after this period until June 2011.
The Minister has also announced funding to Community Health Action Group Inc (CHEGS) to continue delivery of the Goonellabah Transition to School Program for an additional three years. The program supports children in the North Coast area of New South Wales during the transition from home and preschool to primary school.