The Territory Labor Government is delivering two new Child and Family Centres, one in the Northern Suburbs of Darwin and the other in Kalkarindji, bringing the total number of Child and Family Centres in the NT to 10.
The centres will assist families to access quality and culturally responsive programs and services to ensure that they get the help they need.
The CAAPS Aboriginal Corporation will receive $2.7 million over five years to establish and operate the Northern Suburbs Child and Family Centre at the Malak Shopping Centre.
The Kalkarindji Child and Family Centre will commence operations at the Kalkarindji School and will be run by Gurindji Aboriginal Corporation. Gurindji Aboriginal Corporation will receive $2.4 million over five years to establish and run the centre.
The five-year contracts with the local Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations will ensure that they can effective establish and operate the centres with certainty of funding.
Following the Royal Commission into the Protection and Detention of Children in the Northern Territory, the Territory Government is investing $11.4 million over four years to establish 11 additional Aboriginal Community Controlled Child and Family Centres expanding the network of centres to 17 (six already existed).
In addition, $17.3 million from the Territory Labor Government’s Early Childhood Strategy Starting Early for a Better Future will be invested to focus on the needs of children 0-5 years and their families in locations across the NT with Child and Family Centres.
The services and programs at each centre will be driven by the local community, as part of Local Decision Making principles, and are designed to help families and communities strengthen their capacity to raise happy and healthy children.
The Kalkarindji centre is expected to begin supporting families by September this year and the Northern Suburbs centre is scheduled to welcome families before the end of 2020.
As stated by Minister for Territory Families, Dale Wakefield
“The Territory Labor Government has made significant changes to improve the lives of vulnerable children and their families.
“Child and Family Centres support at-risk children, young people and their families. It’s a prevention service that ensures families get the support they need – well before a crisis.
“Each centre will be unique and driven by the local-decision making process.”
As stated by Member for Karama, Ngaree Ah Kit
“I’ve advocated for a Northern Suburbs Child and Family Centre to be in Malak and I’m very proud to be part of a Government that is delivering this for families in the northern suburbs of Darwin.
“The Territory Labor Government has delivered and will always invest in Territory children and families.”
As stated by CAAPS Board Chair, Darren Johnson
“CAAPS Aboriginal Corporation are excited for the opportunity to establish the Child and Family Centre in the Northern Suburbs.
“We look forward to strengthening our partnerships with organisations as we all work together for the children, young people and families of the Northern Suburbs of Darwin.”
As stated by the Gurindji Aboriginal Corporation, Rob Roy
“We are excited to establish and operate the new Kalkarindji Child and Family Centre.
“This is an opportunity for our community to make decisions and support our young people and families for a brighter future. We thank the Northern Territory Government for helping us realise this long-term vision. Yapakayi-nginyi Jangkarnik – From little things big things grow.”
