Family support programs to close in June following funding cuts, prompting fears for children's safety

Extract from ABC News

By the National Reporting Team's Josie Taylor

Posted 11 minutes ago

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Thousands of families are set to lose critical parenting and family crisis help because of federal government funding cuts.

A raft of programs across the country, some that have been running for decades, will cease in June, promoting fears for the safety of thousands of children.
One service, FamilyCare in Shepparton, Victoria, teaches new parents how to care for newborns.
It also plays a vital role for families in crisis.
The centre will close its doors in three months after having its grant terminated.
"I think without this service, where do these people go, what are they going to use?" said Rosemary Rutledge, who established the FamilyCare program 20 years ago.

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Shepparton FamilyCare has proved to be a critical program in the region, which has a teenage pregnancy rate two and a half times higher than the Victorian state average.
It has just lost its grant of $120,000 a year, meaning it will be forced to close.

'What's happening when you're not coping as a mum impacts on the whole family.

Mandy Wallace, FamilyCare participant'

"The safety of children is going to be paramount ... I am really extremely worried and concerned and it's not just me it's other professionals out there," Ms Rutledge said.
"If we haven't got the parent-child program what are we going to do with these women?"
The free service is available to everyone, but is often used for families in crisis who would otherwise have to travel two hours to Melbourne.
Parents are referred to FamilyCare by local hospitals and the Victorian Department of Human Services, for issues including drug and alcohol addiction and family violence.

FamilyCare provided relief for struggling parents

Four mothers from around Shepparton have told the ABC they urgently needed help and were struggling with motherhood when they came to the FamilyCare program.
Mandy Wallace said she suffered from anxiety and received life changing support after having her first two children, and then again, after her third child was still born.
"What's happening when you're not coping as a mum impacts on the whole family," she said.
Kilmore mother Sara Kyte used the service after being hospitalised with mastitis.
Her son Tanner, who is now six moths old, was not sleeping for any longer than 40 minutes at a time.
"Me and my husband were almost at war by the time we got there," she said.
"So Brad [Ms Kyte's husband] came along to the day stay with me and heard it all, and it all made sense to him as well, and from then on we were a team."
FamilyCare chief executive David Tennant said he was extremely fearful of the impact the service closure would have on the region.
"There are estimates of in excess of 100 new child protection notifications in Shepparton which would be devastating if that were to occur," Mr Tennant said.

Programs for parents who abuse drugs, alcohol to close in June

Anglicare Western Australia's principal clinician, Jennie Hannan, told the ABC the organisation's Young Parents Support Unit, which helps vulnerable new parents in Perth, will also stop running in June after losing federal funding.
"It shows incredibly good outcomes, and yet there was no consultation and this program is going to be wound up, so it's a real tragedy," she said.
Two other national parenting programs run by Family Relationship Services Australia will also end in June after losing $2.5 million in combined funding.
Kids in Focus, for parents with drug and alcohol problems, and Family Relationship Services for Humanitarian Entrants have catered for 2,600 families.
In a statement, Social Services Minister Scott Morrison said: "The Government is investing over $110 million into children and parenting support programs nationwide.
"Last year the Government undertook a competitive tender for organisations seeking funding under an $800 million Department of Social Services grants round to support a broad range of vital frontline services that support communities.
"My first priority is ensuring there are no gaps in critical frontline services while we work through the transition of services to the new funding arrangements.

"My department is working with new and existing providers to ensure that clients are referred to new services where required, and to identify any critical service gaps."