Please note: The application closing date for Funding for Kids in Focus-Family Drug Support has been extended from 15 December 2009 to 2 February 2010 following a decision by FaHCSIA to expand the list of legal entities eligible to apply for kids in Focus funding.
For a full list of eligible entities please see Section 2 – Statement of Requirements at page 7 of the Kids in Focus Application Guidelines and the Kids in Focus Application Form.
All other documentation, including the Selection Criteria remains unchanged.
Introduction
Family Support Program’s (FSP) Kids in Focus – Family Drug Support (Kids in Focus) is an early intervention, family focused component of the wider National Drug Strategy. Kids in Focus is specifically directed towards family support rather than the health, education or criminal aspects of the wider Strategy. Kids in Focus aims to assist families including parents, grandparents, kinship carers and children of substance using parents, by taking an early intervention and family focused approach to dealing with the impacts of substance misuse on families.
Kids in Focus is linked to two important initiatives of the Australian Government – the new Family Support Program and the National Framework for Protecting Australia’s Children.
Funding Amounts
Funding will be offered to one service provider in each State or Territory to deliver Kids in Focus. Amounts for each State/Territory are:
| New South Wales |
$1.8 million at $600,000 per annum |
| Victoria |
$1.8 million at $600,000 per annum |
| Queensland |
$1.35 million at $450,000 per annum |
| South Australia |
$1.2 million at $400,000 per annum |
| Western Australia |
$1.2 million at $400,000 per annum |
| Northern Territory |
$1.050 million at $350,000 per annum |
| Tasmania |
$600,000 at $200,000 per annum |
| ACT |
$300,000 at $100,000 per annum |
Call for Applications
FaHCSIA is seeking to fund one suitably qualified organisation in a disadvantaged location in each State and Territory to provide specialist intensive support services for at risk children in families where parents have substance misuse problems. Services can apply as consortia, however, the funding agreement is signed with the lead provider and consortia arrangements are the responsibility of the consortia.
Successful organisations will be expected to work in collaboration with mainstream alcohol and other drug services, child protection agencies, child and family services and other FSP providers. A telephone advice service to support FSP providers to identify and respond to children at risk or harm and long-term disadvantage is also a requirement of the new Initiative.
Applications close 2pm local Canberra time, Tuesday 2 February 2010.
Application documentation
Kids in Focus Information Sessions
FaHCSIA conducted information sessions on Kids in Focus in Melbourne, on 16 November, Sydney on 17 November and Adelaide on 18 November 2009.
The information sessions presented information on the Kids in Focus model, the selection process and an opportunity for interested organisations in applying for funding from May 2010 to June 2013 to find out more about the Initiative.
Please send an email to KidsInFocusFamilyDrugSupport@fahcsia.gov.au if you would like a copy of the presentation.
Kids in Focus Selection Process – Questions and Answers
A list of frequently asked questions is available and may be updated during the application period. Answers to questions will only be placed on the website and will not be responded to individually.
Please note questions will not be taken or responded to after Wednesday 27 January 2010.