SA families can self-refer to Strong Families Strong Communities early intervention 

Families will be able to self-refer into a new  $8.4 million Strong Families Strong Communities program which sees 16 non-government organisations across metropolitan Adelaide, rural and regional South Australia partner with the non-government sector to provide services to keep more children safe and well within their families.

 

“Strong Families Strong Communities is designed to address intergenerational disadvantage by delivering targeted services that promote safety and wellbeing for families needing some extra support,” said Nat Cook, SA Minister for Human Services.

 

“Parenting isn’t easy, even without added intergenerational trauma and lack of resources. Early intervention services are essential in our efforts to strengthen families and keep children and young people out of the child protection system.”

The program will provide early intervention services including: tailored therapeutic supports, case management, and group programs. It is expected to support around 500 families each year.

Early intervention services target the issues posing family challenges including:  

 

• Parenting stress 
• Caring for children with significant disability 
• Poverty 
• Domestic and family violence 
• Mental health 
• Substance abuse.

 

The program also provides specific supports for Aboriginal families and culturally and linguistically diverse families.

Priority will be given to families at critical life stages, including young parents, families with an infant at risk, adolescents with complex trauma, and Aboriginal families with multiple and complex needs.

 

“One of the special things about this new program is that it harnesses the resources of both government and our NGOs to back families, provide them with supports and skills to disrupt the progression of emerging problems and to foster positive child development,” Ms Cook added.

Service partners – appointed through an open tender process are:

 

*ac.care – Murray and Mallee, Limestone Coast and Adelaide Hills
*Anglicare SA – northern and southern Adelaide
*Centacare Catholic Country partnering with KWY – Eyre and Western Region
*City of Victor Harbor – Fleurieu and Kangaroo Island
*Life Without Barriers – Far North, eastern Adelaide
*Northern Area Community and Youth Services – Barossa, Light and Lower North Region
*Uniting Care Wesley Bowden partnering with InComPro – northern and western Adelaide
*Uniting Country SA – Yorke and Mid North Peninsula
*West Coast Youth and Community Support – Eyre and Western Peninsula

 

Aboriginal service providers:  

 

*Aboriginal Family Support Services – Murray and Mallee, Yorke and Mid North Region
*KWY with The Australian Centre for Social Innovation (TACSI) – northern and western Adelaide, Limestone Coast
*KWY with Centacare – Far North Region
*Nunkuwarrin Yunti – southern Adelaide

 

CALD service providers:

 

*Australian Refugee Association – northern Adelaide
*Multicultural Youth SA – western Adelaide
*Survivors of Torture and Trauma Assistance and Rehabilitation Service (STARRS) – northern Adelaide.

 

More information about the program is available at Adults Supporting Kids.