Local children, young people and families in Cobar will benefit from a recent State Government funding announcement by Member for Barwon, Kevin Humphries.
Mr Humphries said his electorate would receive an extension of $5.8 million in funding for targeted early intervention and intensive programs until mid-2017.
Of the $5.8 million allocated, Cobar Shire Council will receive $17,381 to subsidise the salary of a HomeStart Cobar Community Worker while Cobar families will also indirectly benefit from funding granted to other services across the electorate including Barnados ($898,240) and Home-Start Western Area ($115,279).
Mr Humphries said the funding is part of the NSW Government’s $233 million commitment to intervening early-to-address issues in families which put children at risk of harm and increase the likelihood of entering the child protection system.
“These services work with their clients to help them before they reach crisis points in their lives and to avoid the need for involvement by the statutory child protection system,” Mr Humphries said.
“Extending funding to mid-2017 will provide certainty for our community partners that provide important services like case management, parenting programs and domestic violence support.”
Mr Humphries said between now and 2017 the NSW Government through the Department of Family and Community Services (FACS) will work closely with these service providers to co-design an improved targeted earlier intervention service system in NSW.
“It is important that the reach and impact of earlier intervention programs is maximised so families and communities have better outcomes,” Mr Humphries said.
