Background
Communities for Children is funded by the Australian Government under the Stronger Families and Communities Strategy. Under this strategy, 45 sites across Australia have received funding to run a Communities for Children project.
Raymond Terrace and Karuah are together one of these sites and has been allocated $2 million. The majority of this funding will be distributed to local service providers and community initiatives for early intervention and prevention programs.
The Australian Government has selected The Smith Family and The Family Action Centre as the Facilitating Partner to implement the Communities for Children Project in Raymond Terrace and Karuah. The Smith Family and The Family Action Centre have formed a consortium and are working in partnership to manage this project, and to facilitate community engagement and collaboration.
The Facilitating Partner has the responsibility for the overall management and evaluation of the project.
The Facilitating Partner takes a strengths-based community development approach to engaging and consulting with the community. They facilitate processes and establish frameworks that build on the existing strengths of Raymond Terrace and Karuah, and enhance relationships with and between different stakeholder groups.
The Facilitating Partner chairs the Communities for Children Committee (CCC) and ensures the voice of all relevant stakeholders groups is represented in the committee.
The Facilitating Partner is responsible for disbursing the funds to other non-government organisations and community initiatives according to the objectives of the project and the strategic plans developed by the CCC.
How will the funds be disbursed?
Based on the Community Strategic Plan developed in consultation with the local community from March-September 2005 and the annual Service Delivery Plans, the Facilitating Partner will disburse funds to other non-government organisations and community groups selected to deliver the services and activities outlined in the plans.