Strengthening Communities – Empowering People - Lifeline Darling ...

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ruraL FamILY suPPort Program - DaLBY
Throughout 2008, the Dalby Rural Family Support Program has continued to provide support and assistance to
families residing in the following areas:- Dalby, Warwick, Cooyar, Tara and Chinchilla. The program continues to
provide advice, information and a referral service for families to further meet their needs. The program refers families
to the following services:-
➢ Child and Youth Mental Health – Warwick, Dalby, Toowoomba, Chinchilla.
➢ Adult Mental Health – Warwick, Dalby, Toowoomba, Chinchilla.
➢ Dalby and Warwick Base Hospitals – Social Worker/Psychologists – Counselling Service
➢ Drug and Alcohol Service Toowoomba
➢ Legal Aid – Toowoomba
➢ Centrelink – Dalby Warwick Toowoomba
➢ Domestic Violence Service – Toowoomba.
2008 has seen an increase in the number of families seeking a counseling service. Counseling services in rural
shires are limited with these families being referred on to Dalby Base Hospital. Depending on their financial situation,
families are referred to Toowoomba Lifeline Darling Downs.
The service has received a total of thirty (30) referrals, five (5) referrals being classified as inappropriate. The
program is currently working with 11 families. These referrals have been received from the following services:
➢ Dalby Base Hospital,
➢ Toowoomba and Roma Department of Child Safety,
➢ Disability Services Queensland,
➢ Carers Queensland,
➢ Department of Education.
The highest number of referrals received were from Department of Child Safety. A high number of referrals received
are in relation to families experiencing financial problems and parenting issues. Families residing in rural isolated
areas remain disadvantaged with difficulty having the finances to access appropriate formal services to meet their
needs. The price rise in fuel has added to the financial pressures most of the families are already experiencing.
There are limited services available in rural shires, therefore these families are required to travel to Toowoomba
should they require specialized services.
Dalby staff currently consists of one (1) fulltime Family Support Worker, Mr David Fenton, and one (1) Line Manager.
The Dalby office has no administration staff. In June 2008, part time administration officer Maryanne Wolfe resigned
from her position, which currently remains vacant. The Family Support Worker attends the Dalby Interagency
Meetings held monthly, to discuss the overall progress of the service, SWAN meetings held throughout the south
west region and Lifeline Darling Downs and South West Region rural team meetings both held quarterly.
Karen Casey
Line Manager
Dalby Rural Family Support Program
ruraL
family support