Family and Community Programs

Family Action Centre

Hunter Family Outreach Project

The Hunter Family Outreach Project (HFOP) is a support service for families in the lower Hunter area. The project offers services which build on existing community strengths and foster positive relationships within families. The service is available to any family with at least one child 0 to 17 years of age. All activities are offered free of charge. Referrals are accepted from individuals and support services. We cover the local government areas of Newcastle, Cessnock, Lake Macquarie, Maitland and Port Stephens.

HFOP grew out of the Caravan Project which gave rise to the work and identity of The Family Action Centre and its outreach activities. HFOP receives funding from the NSW Department of Communities and Justice.

SNUG

SNUG is funded by the Steve Waugh Foundation (SWF) and provides residential retreats for families with children with rare conditions. Students from a range of health disciplines contribute as volunteers and students on placement. The whole family attends the retreat together and a program of activities is designed so that every attendee can participate.

Deadly Streaming

The Deadly Streaming Project provides school based activities to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (ATSI) students to improve school attendance, to support connection to culture, and to encourage cultural sensitivity in schools. The main objective of this project is to support ATSI students to culturally identify and promote a sense of cultural competence and to support schools to become more culturally sensitive thereby leading to improved educational outcomes for ATSI students.

Our Health Rules!

The Our Health Rules! Project is provided with the support of The Smith Family’s Communities for Children Raymond Terrace and Karuah. The project supports healthier lifestyles through community workshops which are delivered by expert Accredited Practicing Dietitians. It provides innovative activities to promote and improve the health and wellbeing of families living in areas of Port Stephens and Tea Gardens/Hawks Nest.

Students on Placement

The Family Action Centre provides placement opportunities for UON students from various disciplines and provides opportunities for student volunteers to participate in our programs.