12 July 2023
Member Update
Dear Families ACT members,
In this update: our commentary on the 2023-24 ACT budget, a welcomed pre-budget announcement, information about a consultation on the changes to the Children and Young People Act, the ACTCOSS’s 2023 Cost of Living report, the PERKS parenting seminars and HEARTFELT, support for children who have experienced domestic & family violence!
Families ACT commentary on 2023-24 ACT budget
Families ACT welcomes the 2023-24 ACT Budget which delivers much needed funding across a wide range of areas including community services, health care, education, homelessness services, public housing and public transport. We are pleased that most of our recommendations from our 2023-24 ACT budget submission were taken up by the ACT Government. For more information, please read our brief commentary on the 2023-24 ACT budget.
Interim Funding announced for Child and Youth Mental Health Programs in the ACT
In our 2023 -24 ACT budget submission we recommended the funding of the WOKE mental health program. Families ACT thanks Minister Emma Davidson and the ACT Government following the pre-budget announcement of a one-year funding extension for local mental health programs WOKE, UC; and Stepping Stones, CatholicCare in mid June.
Both of these programs were at risk of closure at the end of June, under their current Commonwealth funding. The ACT Government's interim funding for these programs provides an opportunity to explore opportunities for longer-term funding.
ACTCOSS releases 2023 ACT Cost of Living Report
The report by ACTCOSS released on 22 June 2023 shows particularly high increases in the costs of fuel, energy and housing over the past five years. It tracks the changes in the cost of living for low-income households in the ACT, highlights the gendered nature of the cost of living crisis and calls on the ACT Government to implement measures in the upcoming ACT Budget to alleviate cost of living pressures and address income inequality. You can find more information on ACTCOSS’s website.
Commissioning
Mental Health Subsector Commissioning
Families ACT made a submission to the Mental Health Blueprint document presenting the ACTHD’s vision for the NGO funded mental health sector. The initial consultation period was extended and closed on 27 June 2023.
Active Commissioning cycles
There are currently 34 active sub-sector commissioning cycles across the human service system. Each cycle moves along the commissioning phases of discover, strategise, design, invest, deliver & integrate.
Regular updates on each cycle are provided
on the Commissioning website.
Consultation on changes to Children and Young People Act 2008
End of June, Yvonne attended a face-to-face briefing regarding the proposed stage 1 amendments to the Children and Young People Act 2008 (CYP Act) as Families ACT is drafting a submission to this consultation. The ACT Government has made a commitment to establish a responsive, high-functioning legal framework for the ACT's child protection and family support system. The reform of the CYP Act aligns with Next Steps for Our Kids 2022–2030. It will also address recommendations from key reviews and reports regarding the ACT's child protection and family support system requiring legislative change. Due to the complexity of this reform, legislative amendments will occur over 2 stages.
Stage 1 is now open for consultation via ACT Government’s Your Say website – The Children and Young People Amendment Bill 1 2023. Stage 2 opens in the second half of 2023.
The consultation closes on Thursday 27 July 2023.
Register now for our next Joint Case Review (JCR)
Our next JCR will take place on Monday 31 July 2023 at 9.30am - 11.30am at our offices in O’Connor. Registrations are now open. We look forward to seeing you there.
Registrations now open via our Eventbrite account!
PERKS Parenting Seminars - 4 Week Course: Starts 24 July 2023
Parenting adolescents and pre-teens with mental health concerns - four free seminars over four weeks. Topics covered are adolescent development, anxiety, depression, self harm, family conflict, school refusal, safety planning. Parents will be provided with information, practical tips and tricks on all topics.
Dates: Monday 24 July to Monday 14 August 2023
Time: 4.00pm - 6.00pm
Location: Westfield Woden Keltie Street Phillip, ACT 2606
To register visit: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/perks-parenting-seminars-tickets-641700221637
HEARTFELT: Support for children who have experienced domestic & family violence
The Australian Childhood Foundation (ACF) is piloting a support group in Canberra for children aged 5- 12 years who have experienced domestic and family violence. They will be running two groups (North and South Canberra) in terms two and three 2023. The ages of children in each group will be kept within a developmentally comparable age range
(e.g. 5-7, 8-10 and 11-12).
This group program will support the children to:
Share their experiences with peers in a supported, validating and nurturing environment.
Experience a space in which they and their mother can share comforting and playful activities.
Actively participate in relational connection with their mother enabling a joint experience of safety and healing.
The Heartfelt children’s group incorporates an Australian Childhood Foundation therapeutic resource The Big Tree Dolls. These playful resources and related stories will accompany children through their experience with both peers and their mothers.
For further information or to discuss a referral, please contact Ariel or Elise at referralsact@childhood.org.au or call 0438 415 650.
Best wishes,
Yvonne Gritschneder
comms@familiesact.org.au
Policy | Media | Research
