Under the Australian Constitution, child protection intervention services are the responsibility of the community services department in each State and Territory.
The Australian Government, through the Department of Families, Housing Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA), promotes best practice nationally in the areas of child abuse prevention and early intervention and prevention.
Across FaHCSIA, funding is provided for a range of programs, projects and/or measures that directly or indirectly assist in the prevention of child abuse.
Currently program funds are committed and there are no new funding opportunities planned in the near future. FaHCSIA funding in this area is usually directed to time-limited projects that support and strengthen parenting roles, contribute to the development and wellbeing of children in the early years and assist in the prevention of child abuse. The projects may increase awareness or provide practical advice, resources or strategies to deal with particular issues.
When new funding becomes available it is usually allocated through a tendering process where the final approval is at the relevant Minister's discretion. Funding opportunities are listed on the FaHCSIA web pages and advertised in the national press.
The REACh program is intended to improve the capacity of families and caregivers to respond appropriately to children's needs for care, development and safety through timely access to community resources that can support them in their parenting role. REACh has an emphasis on ensuring the best possible start and promoting successful transitions for children in vulnerable families.
REACh aims to improve access to support services and will encourage families to engage with their community through partnership approaches. The program is about child-centred, family focused and community connected responses. There are 43 REACh funded projects across Australia.
The National Child Protection Clearinghouse is based in the Australian Institute of Family Studies.
FaHCSIA funds the Clearinghouse to disseminate information on child protection activities and research to professionals and organisations in this field. Among the clients of the Clearinghouse are policy makers including State and Territory government departments responsible for family and community services, service providers, professionals in child abuse prevention, researchers and students.
The Grandparents Raising Grandchildren report is the result of a series of forums and a survey facilitated by COTA National Seniors Partnership. The focus of the project was grandparents raising grandchildren full-time or as primary carers for extended periods.
The Mirabel Foundation "When the children arrive" resource book for carers was launched on 28 April 2004.
On 28 July 2004, the National Plan for Foster Children, Young People and their Carers was endorsed and released at the Community and Disability Services Ministers' Conference. The Plan aims to improve outcomes for children and young people in foster care. It focuses on establishing national standards, sharing information on good practice and improving cross-jurisdictional collaboration in areas of training, research, uniform data collection and support.
Implementation of the National Plan will occur over a two-year period (2004-2006). It is being co-ordinated by a working group with representatives from all governments, led by the ACT. There will be opportunities for key stakeholders to be further involved during the implementation of the Plan.
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