Royalties for Regions would provide $2.8million in funding for 2010-11 with a further $24.9million over the next three years to establish and expand the Department for Child Protection’s Responsible Parenting Services in regional areas.
Mrs McSweeney said expansion of the program meant more accessible support for parents of children exhibiting, or at risk of developing, anti-social or truanting behaviours.
“Responsible Parenting comprises home visiting services to at-risk families and can help reduce the likelihood and ultimately prevent children from entering the department’s care,” she said.
“In 2011-12, the $2.8million service will be expanded with an additional $3.7million for the Pilbara and Goldfields regions, taking the annual allocation of funds to $6.5million.
“The scheme will be further expanded to the Wheatbelt and South-West with $2.9million funding in 2012-13 and it is planned to continue this funding in the following financial year, taking the total of new and recurrent funding to almost $28million across four years.”
Mr Grylls said the expansion would see two key programs, the Parent Support Service and Best Beginnings, established in 17 areas State-wide, including nine regional locations.
“Both programs have been successfully operating in the metropolitan area since 2004 and recently were introduced to the Kimberley region,” he said.
“The programs provide early intervention into child protection and are designed to support families in raising their children.”
Mrs McSweeney said the expansion represented 15 new full-time employees in the Murchison region alone in 2010-11 and access to a specialist service where methods used to work with families are culturally appropriate to the region.
She said a recent evaluation of the program had clearly identified the success of the service, particularly in the areas of improved parent-child relationships, increased confidence and the development of parenting skills.
Child Protection Minister’s office - 9222 8950
Regional Development Minister’s office - 9213 7000