pdf [5.3MB] - Department of Families, Housing, Community Services

100 ratings of ‘Very positive change’When asked who changes were affecting:107 stated themselves/their organisation132 stated other service providers119 stated children131 stated families116 stated the wider communityOverall, it was stated that committee members who responded were pleased with theprogress of the program and reported many changes/benefits for the community, with nonegative change reported.Breaking Cycles by building neighbourhood hubsThis CfC project aimed to develop community hubs where children’s services could worktogether to achieve better outcomes for young children and their families in Hume in theBroadmeadows area in Melbourne. The project commenced in July 2006.The project targeted families with young children in the 0-5 age group, particularly those fromculturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. This area was targeted due to high levels ofdisadvantage and poverty, with limited access to early childhood education programs andaffordable childcare.The project was backed by research indicating that (references were cited by theCommunities and Families Clearinghouse Australia, Australian Institute of Family Studies,AIFS 2009a): Families generally receive more comprehensive support from integrated service due tothe ‘one-stop-shop’ nature of the centres (Bruner, 1991). Children are prevented from falling through the cracks of service provision especially ifthey experience multiple disadvantage and social exclusion (Bruner, 1991). Environmental risks in a given community that affect children, such as family violenceand poverty, reduce when there are sustained interventions by integrated services(Bruner, 1991). Children are more likely to be socially connected – and stay connected – when they areinvolved with integrated services throughout their early childhood and into furthereducation (Bertram et al., 2003).The specific outcome measures used through the projects followed the CfC Strategic Plan2005 and included (Communities and Families Clearinghouse Australia, Australian Instituteof Family Studies, AIFS 2009a) improved child language and literacy; established and/or strengthened community hubs; increased awareness of where to go for help with children; increased social connectedness and support; community members taking an active interest in developing hubs; and shared learning as the model develops66