How much?
Approximately $5 million has been allocated for the Child Aware Approaches initiative one-off grants in 2011-2012. Grants of up to $200,000 will be made to eligible not for-profit organisations.
Apply when?
Applications open on Monday 23 April 2012 and close at 2.00pm AEST on 18 May 2012.
It is anticipated that applicants will be notified of the outcome in June 2012, and that projects will be completed during 2012.
Who to contact?
Email childawareapproaches@fahcsia.gov.au
How to apply?
Applicants must complete the application form for Child Aware Approaches.
Application forms and guidelines are available from this website.
Questions regarding the application form and assessment process will be accepted through an email to childawareapproaches@fahcsia.gov.au
The Department will only respond to requests for information that seek clarification of issues to allow a better understand the requirements of the Application Form and Program Guidelines.
Applications will only be accepted by emailing the completed Application Form to childawareapproaches@fahcsia.gov.au
On 30 March 2012, the Hon Jenny Macklin MP, Minister for Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, and the Hon Julie Collins MP, Minister for Community Services and Minister for the Status of Women, announced Child Aware Approaches. Child Aware Approaches is a one-off funding initiative to promote better understanding of the relationship between child abuse and neglect and:
- domestic/family violence;
- mental illness; and
- sexual abuse,
recognising that substance abuse issues may intersect with these risks.
The National Framework for Protecting Australia’s Children, the National Plan to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children, and National Mental Health Reform, all recognise the need to intervene early, respond to risk factors, build protective factors, and to ensure better outcomes for children and young people. The Child Aware Approaches initiative draws together efforts under these three key national reforms.
Objectives
This program has two objectives:
- To identify good practice and/or research various approaches that have been taken in community services to meet the needs of children and young people experiencing, exposed to or at risk of exposure to domestic/family violence, mental illness and sexual abuse, recognising that substance abuse issues may intersect with these risks and to document what has proven effective (including formal evaluation).
- To improve or enhance the service response for children and young people experiencing, exposed to or at risk of exposure to domestic/family violence, mental illness and sexual abuse, recognising that substance abuse issues may intersect with these risks.
The Department may develop mechanisms to promote or share information about the evidence, research, resources or outcomes from funded projects. Successful applicants may be required to participate in any such process. The Department will negotiate with the successful applicants to determine what this will entail.
Grants are available up to $200,000 and, as one-off funding, it cannot fund the creation of new services, or be used for ongoing or expansion funding for existing services, core organisation funding, or projects which are already funded from other sources. Projects must be of a one-off and short-term nature. Applicants must demonstrate in their applications how they are able to complete the project by 31 December 2012.
Selection Process
Applications for grant funding the Child Aware Approaches program will be assessed against the eligibility and selection criteria outlined in Part C information for applicants.
Submitting Applications
Applications can be made by downloading the Application Form. They will only be accepted by emailing the completed Application Form to: childawareapproaches@fahcsia.gov.au
Successful Applications
Following assessment process, recommendations for funding will be made to the Minister for Communities and the Status of Women. Announcement of successful applications is expected to occur mid June 2012.
Documents Available
The Australian Government Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA or the Department) has a suite of documents (the Program Guideline Suite) which provide information relating to the program. They provide the key starting point for parties considering whether to participate in the program and form the basis for the business relationship between FaHCSIA and the funding recipient.
They are:
- Part A: Program Guidelines which provides an overview of Program and the Activities relating to the program. As Child Aware Approaches is a cross program initiative, Program Guidelines for three programs area available:
- Part B: Information for Applicants which provides information on the Application, Assessment, Eligibility, Selection and Complaints processes; Financial and Funding Agreement arrangements.
- Part C: Application Information provides specific information on the Activity Selection Criteria, Performance Management and Reporting. This part should be read in conjunction with Standard Terms and Conditions.
- The Application Form which is completed by applicants applying for funding during a selection process.
- Child Aware Approaches Questions and Answers: The Questions & Answers will be updated until 14 May 2012. Applicants are encouraged to read this section before sending an email.
General Funding information and Standard Terms and Conditions
General information about Funding can be found here
To ensure best practice and continuous improvement Terms and Conditions for FaHCSIA Standard Funding Agreements has been developed and apply to any new funding agreements from 11 May 2011 or any existing agreement that is extended through a letter of variation for 12 months or more past 11 May 2011.
Contact Details
Questions regarding the application form and assessment process will be accepted through an email to childawareapproaches@fahcsia.gov.au