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Media Releases My electorate office distributes information which is important to the Southport electorate in particular, and the Gold Coast in general. This information goes to the print and electronic media, however due to space or time constraints it doesn’t always get printed or broadcast. Through my website however, you can access all news stories which emanate from my office and thus keep up-to-date with State Government issues relating to Southport.
Alternative Care Boost for Children and Young People on the Gold Coast |
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| Posted by Administrator (admin) on Sep 14 2004 |
| Media Releases >> |
An additional 12 new alternative care places will be provided for children and young people on the Gold Coast whose needs are so complex or extreme that they do not fit into traditional foster families.
The Member for Southport Peter Lawlor today announced that two services Gold Coast Family Support Group Inc. and Life Without Barriers would receive more than $1.013 million in State Government funding annually to provide out-of-home care options for children and young people in need.
Gold Coast Family Support Group Inc. will receive $360,772 annually to provide specialist foster care for five young people, aged 12 to 15 years with a disability and complex to extreme support needs and Life Without Barriers will receive $651,768 annually to provide specialist foster care placements for seven young people and outreach support for two young people, aged 12 to 18 years with complex to extreme support needs
Mr Lawlor said the funding was part of $12.8 million shared between 29 services throughout Queensland.
He said this funding was the first in a series of alternative care funding recommended in the Blueprint and was part of a $58.4 million package over three years to provide additional care places for more than 360 young people.
"Funding will also provide assessment and intervention services for an additional 32 children and young people to achieve more appropriate placements.
"This ensures better matches between the child's needs and the type of placements available, and also enhances the stability of the placement for the child."
Mr Lawlor said in addition, the funding would provide outreach support for a further 32 children and young people.
"This type of support is aimed at increasing placement stability for children and young people who have transited out of more intensive forms of care," he said.
"The State Government knows foster care isn't the answer to every vulnerable child's needs - some young people and in particular some adolescents need an alternative and the Department of Child Safety is helping to make that a reality," Mr Lawlor said.
"This funding will assist existing and prospective service providers find suitable care for children in protective care who need intensive support, either with a specially supported family or through other options such as small group homes," he said.
"Currently, only about eight percent of these children are cared for outside the traditional foster family setting, whereas the foster care audit conducted by Gwenn Murray late last year recommended this figure be lifted to 17 percent.
"Regrettably, Queensland has had a low level of alternative's to foster care when compared to other parts of Australia, but this is changing because the Beattie Government is committed to addressing the issue."
The Minister for Child Safety Mike Reynolds said that as well as providing alternative care places, the funding will provide improved coordination across a network of providers, and an extension of services currently available to care providers by easing resource limitations.
"Approximately 24 percent of the total new placements are specifically designed for children and young people from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander backgrounds.
"Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people represent less than 3% of all Australians, however 24 percent of all children in protective care in Queensland are of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent," Mr Reynolds said.
"The Alternative Care funding package is the first of several initiatives which will occur both within the new Department of Child Safety and in conjunction with our community sector partners to build the best child protection system in Australia.
"I look forward to working in collaboration with funded services to deliver alternative care services for young Queenslanders."
"Regrettably, Queensland has had a low level of alternative's to foster care when compared to other parts of Australia, but this is changing because the Beattie Government is committed to addressing the issue."
The Minister for Child Safety Mike Reynolds said that as well as providing alternative care places, the funding will provide improved coordination across a network of providers, and an extension of services currently available to care providers by easing resource limitations.
"Approximately 24 percent of the total new placements are specifically designed for children and young people from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander backgrounds.
"Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people represent less than 3% of all Australians, however 24 percent of all children in protective care in Queensland are of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent," Mr Reynolds said.
"The Alternative Care funding package is the first of several initiatives which will occur both within the new Department of Child Safety and in conjunction with our community sector partners to build the best child protection system in Australia.
"I look forward to working in collaboration with funded services to deliver alternative care services for young Queenslanders."
Last changed: [PUBLISHED_DATE] at 12:00 AM
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