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- 31 October 2002
Families First Program
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Page: 6299
The Hon. PETER PRIMROSE: My question without notice is addressed to the Minister for Community Services. What action is the Government taking to expand the Families First Program throughout New South Wales?
The Hon. Jennifer Gardiner: You asked that question two days ago.
The Hon. CARMEL TEBBUTT: The Families First initiative was introduced in 1998. It is obvious that the Opposition knows nothing about it, because they confuse Families First with the Community Solutions Program. Nonetheless, Families First has gained recognition as one of the most significant and effective social policy developments of recent times. There is a range of participating departments, including the Department of Community Services, the departments of Ageing, Disability and Home Care, Education and Training, Housing, and the area health services.
Families First targets families with young children aged up to eight years. It is based on the principle that early help for children can prevent more serious problems emerging. I am pleased to advise the House that two days ago I announced the final expansion of the Families First Program to the Illawarra, the Riverina, Murray, Cumberland, Prospect, North Sydney and south-east Sydney areas. It means that consultations will now begin with local communities and families in those areas to determine what sort of programs are appropriate.
The resulting programs for those areas are expected to be up and running by the end of 2003. Families First will give thousands of children in those areas the best possible start in life, as well as supporting parents in the demanding job of raising young children. Parenting is a tough job. It is a most rewarding job, but it can be difficult. Sometimes parents need extra support, a sympathetic ear or a helping hand, particularly if they face other stresses such as financial hardship or isolation. Families First is a universal service, but it also provides the added benefit of being able to identify families that may be at risk and may well need extra support over and above what can be provided by the particular Families First services. It can then act as a referral agency to other support services.
There is no doubt that families have changed over the last few decades. Thee are more social and economic pressures, and many families can no longer rely on extended family networks for support. That is where Families First comes in. Its programs include home visitors, school-based community centres, family workers, supported playgroups, mobile early childhood services and community workers. I advise the House that the Department of Community Services is now recruiting community programs officers in Wagga Wagga, Wollongong, Orange, Parramatta, Redfern and Epping. They will liaise with other government agencies to develop area plans, in consultation with families and local child and family services. They will also focus on better co-ordination of existing family support networks to ensure that services are being delivered efficiently to those who need them. The Government is spending $117 million on Families First in the four years up to 2006. That is money well spent, because research shows that early intervention works.
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