786. Hon ALISON XAMON to the Leader of the House representing the Minister for Child Protection:
I refer to support for young Aboriginal mothers.
(1) Does the Western Australian government fund any programs that provide regular support, such as playgroups or yarning circles, for young Aboriginal mothers?
(2) If yes to (1)—
(a) which organisations deliver the programs; and
(b) where are the programs delivered?
(3) If no to (1), why not?
Hon SUE ELLERY replied:
I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question.
(1) Yes. The program areas are as follows. Aboriginal intensive support services provide intensive in-home practical support to Aboriginal families. Parenting services provide universal, early intervention services to Western Australian parents of children aged zero to 18 years of age. All organisations funded through this program are required to adapt their approach to best meet the identified local need, having regard to the following areas of focus: Aboriginal families, culturally and linguistically diverse families, fathers and male caregivers, and young parents. The family support network includes an FSN lead agency and partner agencies, which provide integrated and coordinated secondary family support services to improve outcomes for vulnerable children, young people and families, and prevent the need for tertiary child protection intervention. Intensive family support services provide intensive in-home practical support to parents and families to enhance the safety of their children so they can remain safe at home and/or support families who are working through a reunification process.
(2) I table the attached information, which is, indeed, in a table.
[See paper 4120 - State Government funded programs for Aboriginal mothers .]
(3) Not applicable.