Stronger Families and Communities Strategy (SFCS) 2004-2008  Communities for Children
 The Smith Family - Girrawheen, Koondoola, Balga and Mirrabooka, Western Australia

$3.8 million over four years

The Smith Family is one of the first seven community organisations to give effect to the Government's new Communities for Children initiative under the Stronger Families and Communities Strategy.

Since 1922, The Smith Family has focused on providing opportunities to assist families and their children by identifying where the priority needs are and developing appropriate responses. Since 1999, The Smith Family has increased its work with other community organisations and focused on key life transition points such as healthy pregnancy/birth and starting school.

The Smith Family will work on this initiative with the communities in the four northern metropolitan suburbs of Perth - Girrawheen, Koondoola, Balga and Mirrabooka. The Smith Family will build on the consultative work undertaken in the area in 2002 with the support of Rio Tinto (Australia).

The Government has allocated $3.8 million for early childhood support and assistance in these communities.

Actual funding will be based on what the communities identify as being needed to respond to local issues. The Smith Family will facilitate the allocation of funds across a range of services in the community.

The Smith Family, in implementing this initiative, will work in partnership with local stakeholders including community leaders, family service providers, business and all levels of government. Through consultation they will identify community needs and develop an agreed Community Action Plan that responds to those needs.

This plan might include, for example, establishing parent groups, delivering parenting courses, improving coordination between family, health and other services such as schools, or setting up day care services.

Together, The Smith Family and the community of Perth will aim to ensure the best possible start in life for some 3,250 children under the age of five in the area. If you are interested in taking part and want to find out more, please contact Craig or Laurel or Jessica... See main site for contact details...