BUDGET SUPPORTS NEW TUGGERANONG
CHILD AND FAMILY CENTRE

The Stanhope Government is to provide a further $1.58 million to resource the Child and Family Centre in Tuggeranong.

This builds on funding of  $11.4 million provided over four years in the 2004–05 Budget for the construction of two purpose-built Child and Family Centres, one in Gungahlin and one in Tuggeranong, along with recurrent funding for the Gungahlin Centre.

The Minister for Children, Youth and Family Support, Ms Katy Gallagher said the Gungahlin Child and Family Centre is now delivering a full range of services from temporary facilities.  She said construction on a permanent centre in Gungahlin is scheduled for completion by December 2005.

“In Gungahlin the Child and Family Centre is proving to be an outstanding success, assisting families with parenting, child health and a range of issues important to their overall wellbeing,” Ms Gallagher said.

“Many families and their children have received assistance from the team of highly skilled professionals.

“The assistance provided ranges from health advice and referral, through to providing parents with guidance on nutrition or issues regarding child behaviour.”

“In both Gungahlin and Tuggeranong, we have many young families and first time parents.  It makes good sense to provide professional services such as speech pathology, social workers, maternal and child health nurses.”

“A number of parenting and community development programs have also been implemented in partnership with a wide range of community based organisations and local businesses.”

“For example, at the Gungahlin Centre Dr John Irving, one of Australia’s leading Child Psychologists, has addressed more than 100 local parents at each of a number of evening forums on the topics of Fathering Boys, Starting School and Parenthood – The First 12 Months.  

“Other programs currently being offered include ‘Over the Trolley’, held fortnightly at the Marketplace shopping Centre.  It offers parents and young people information and advice on specific topics such as Babies, Toddlers, Teenagers, Safe Partying, Domestic Violence and Health Promotion.

“The aim of the Gungahlin and Tuggeranong Centres is quite simply to engage individuals or families on health, parenting and other wellbeing issues before they experience any crisis.”  

“At all times, the Centre staff work closely with the individuals or families who approach them, to establish their particular needs and determine whether additional assistance is required and the best way this can be provided.”

“These Centres are at the leading edge of health and early intervention services, bringing together professionals from health and human service delivery agencies across Government, as well as many community-based organisations it funds or otherwise supports,” the Minister concluded.

In January of this year, a small team commenced work on planning around the implementation of the new Tuggeranong Child and Family Centre.  Services in Tuggeranong will commence in mid 2005.
Statement ends