The Federal Member for Page Kevin Hogan today announced funding of $1.47 million for two community support programmes operated by Grafton-based Cranes Community Support.
Mr Hogan said Cranes’ Family Relationship Skills Programme (FRSP) will receive $929,725 over five years to support families, strengthen relationships, improve the well-being of children and young people and increase the participation of people in community life.
In addition, Mr Hogan has secured a $538,000 grant to provide 8200 hours of respite care under the National Respite Carers Programme (NRCP).
“Crane is a terrific organisation and I am proud to have lobbied for funding for both of these programs,” he said.
“Continued funding for FRSP means Cranes can continue to offer programs to help build the resilience of families to respond to life’s challenges by strengthening the relationships within families and improving the well-being of children.”
Last financial year Cranes held 36 workshops involving 243 parents from Grafton, south to Macksville, west to Bellingen and north to Yamba.
Cranes’ acting chief executive Russell Begg said in line with the Government’s Closing the Gap objectives, his organisation also focused on increasing Aboriginal participation and was successful in establishing strong links with the community resulting in 18 per cent Aboriginal participation.
The main Parenting courses will be presented in each school term include Confident Parenting, Understanding Your Child’s Brain, Responding not Reacting and Standing Strong.
Mr Begg said Cranes has also trialed a new program developed by The Early Childhood Foundation ‘ Bringing up Great Kids’ which was runs over six weeks and is a reflective program aimed at promoting positive and respectful parent/ child relationships.
“This program was very well received and will now be offered each term,” he said.
Mr Hogan said funding for the Carers programme will provide much needed ‘time-out’ for carers in Clarence Valley, Kyogle and Richmond Valley.
“It is important that we care for the carers,” he said. “They carry a heavy emotional and physical load looking after their loved ones. As a society, and as a government, we must give them support and respite.”
