The Brimbank Communities for Children program, facilitated by The Smith Family, has received an extension of funding of $97 300 from the Australian Government. 

Federal Member for Gorton Brendan O’Connor today welcomed the announcement by the Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs Jenny Macklin.

 “This funding extension is great news for our local community, because it means that some vital services for families with young children, such as breastfeeding support and assistance for newly arrived migrant families, will be able to continue,” Mr O’Connor said. 

Mr O’Connor said that Brimbank Communities for Children works with community partners, such as Isis Primary Care and Tweddle Child and Family Health Service, to develop projects and services to improve the health and wellbeing of children under 5 years of age. 

“It provides a range of local, flexible and innovative programs that are designed to support the development of strong, healthy children and assist families in the very challenging task of parenting young children. 

“We know that what happens in the early years of life is crucial for the future of every child. The Brimbank Communities for Children program is designed to give our local children the best possible start in life.” 

Mr O’Connor said that the Brimbank Communities for Children initiative covers the suburbs of Ardeer, Albion, Sunshine North, Sunshine West and Sunshine. 

“The help and support that this program provides to many, many families in our local area is very important and I’m pleased that this extension of funding will allow these services to continue,” he said. 

Brimbank Communities for Children is one of 12 services around Australia to have its funding extended as part of a $1.7 million boost by the Government.  

The Rudd Government is currently finalising a review of all community and children’s programs to ensure that services are delivered to those areas that need it most. The outcome of that review and the future of communities and children’s programs after June 2009 will be announced shortly.