Descriptions of projects funded for 2009

Amount
$40,000

Funding for the Early Learning through Play will assist children from refugee backgrounds in Western Sydney to be better prepared for school. The program will introduce children to developmentally appropriate learning activities and classroom conventions, preparing both children and parents for the experience of formal schooling. The early learning through play sessions will take place in partnerships with participating primary schools in Western Sydney. Parents/carers will also benefit through an understanding of what learning involves and as well through links with other parents, reducing the isolation felt by many refugee women. It is anticipated that the majority of participants will be of African background. This is a pilot project.

Amount
$42,000

Based in Melbourne, Ardoch Youth Foundation has an integrated approach in responding to the needs of communities and this grant will support the Early Childhood Support Program. Ardoch’s work is focused on early intervention and prevention in enhancing preparedness for learning. There is a particular emphasis on extending access to preschool and/or structured playgroups to as many children as possible, especially disadvantaged and vulnerable children. Ardoch also facilitates a wide range of corporate and community support for its programs and is well organised to act in providing and coordinating services and support at various levels to families. The model that Ardoch has developed is efficient and flexible and works with other services and agencies in the community.

Amount
$46,000

The program supported by this grant uses the supported playgroup model to provide preschool age children and their parents with access to learning through play. The playgroup context also enables children to socialise with their peer group and develop appropriate behaviours which will be expected in formal classrooms at school. Parents/carers are given information about child development and through the family support worker gain access to appropriate services and family support agencies as necessary. The playgroups are conducted in partnership with three local schools, familiarising families with the school environment and easing the transition to school for the older children entering infants school.

Amount
$30,000

This grant will enable Bethany to continue to operate a network of playgroups for pre-school children and their parents.The playgroups offer focused support and structure for these families and encourage greater community connectedness and access to different services. By providing strong foundation experiences for children and parents, the program is designed to build stronger communities. The supported playgroup model that this program offers is also an introduction to the child’s early learning and assists in the child’s transition to formal schooling.

Amount
$32,000

The funding will continue support for the Centre in its work in the Dee Why area of Sydney through an expansion of the Dalwood Volunteer Home Support Program. The grant will  provide a part-time social worker to train and supervise the volunteers. The expansion of the volunteer home visiting program will further enhance the quality and effectiveness of the already existing services for families. The Dalwood/Spilstead Early Intervention services provide a range of sevices for children and families in the Manly/Northern Beaches area.

Descriptions of projects funded for 2008

Amount
$50,000

This program continues the support for Good Beginnings which operates a number of early interventions programs in Sydney based on a community development model. This funding will enable a Play and Learn supported playgroup to continue to operate in the Gladesville/Ryde area. Set up on school premises, the Play and Learn services use a supported playgroup model that encourages cross cultural links and promotes the interests of the individual community, offering appropriate and structured activities for young children. Parents are given support and information and a home visiting program is available for follow up if necessary. An introduction to school program takes place in Term 4 in which parents and children are familiarised with the school classrooms and routines. This grant extends the previous year’s funding by Sabemo Trust.

Amount
$45,000

Based in Melbourne, Ardoch Youth Foundation has an integrated approach in responding to the needs of communities and this grant will support the Early Childhood Family Support Program. Ardoch’s work is focused on early intervention and prevention in enhancing preparedness for learning. There is a particular emphasis on extending access to preschool and/or structured playgroups to as many children as possible, especially disadvantaged and vulnerable children. Ardoch also facilitates a wide range of corporate and community support for its programs and is well organised to act in providing and coordinating services and support at various levels to families. The model that Ardoch has developed is efficient and flexible and works with other services and agencies in the community.

Amount
$54,000

This grant will support Mission Australia’s Pathways to Prevention Project in the community of Miller, New South Wales. This program is an early intervention program which takes a holistic approach to working with children, families and the local community, concentrating on improving a child’s social, communication and behavioural skills. Extending and developing parenting skills of parents and caregivers is also an important component of the program. Sabemo Trust will support a component of the total program, a multi cultural playgroup. Overall, the program works collaboratively with a number of key stakeholders in the community. The long term goal of Pathways to Prevention is a reduction of antisocial behaviour and juvenile crime. This grant continues previous support by Sabemo Trust to the program.

Amount
$30,000

Bethany operates a network of playgroups for vulnerable pre-school children and their parents. The playgroups offer focused support and structure for these families and encourage greater community connectedness and access to different services. The supported playgroup model that this program offers is also a introduction to the child’s early learning and assists in the child’s transition to formal schooling.

Amount
$35,000

The funding will continue support for the Centre to continue work in the Dee Why area of Sydney. The grant will support the Dalwood Early Intervention Play Program which provides a holistic approach to the needs of vulnerable families and at risk children. The program provides four service components; Family Services (counselling, parent support, and case management); Parent Education and Parent/Child interaction playgroup programs; Volunteer home support service; and early childhood education and specialist services such as speech pathology. This grant will specifically provide specialist services at the Centre.

Amount
$30,000

This project is designed for children below school age. The grant will continue to support a pilot and research project based at the South Coast Children’s and Family Centre. It will be evaluated by Macquarie University. The program seeks to address the issues of poor educational outcomes for severely abused and neglected children who come into contact with the out of home care system. The program seeks to achieve this through intensive casework focusing on rapid resolution of the family crisis, resolution of immediate safety concerns and return of the child to the family unit. Once this restoration has been achieved the child will return home with the continued paid support of the Family Day Care Services which the child will attend via transport provided by Barnardos. The Family Day Care Services will include a family day carer specifically trained in the attachment process and who will provide ongoing support from early childhood education staff.

Amount
$50,000

Good Beginnings operates a number of early interventions programs in Sydney based on a community development model. This funding will enable a Play and Learn supported playgroup to operate, in the Gladesville/Ryde area. Set up on school premises, the Play and Learn services use a supported playgroup model that encourages cross cultural links and promotes the interests of the individual community, offering appropriate and structured activities for young children. Parents are given support and information and a home visiting program is available for follow up if necessary. An introduction to school program takes place in Term 4 in which parents and children are familiarised with the school classrooms and routines. This grant extends the previous year’s funding by Sabemo Trust.

Amount
$45,000

Based in Melbourne, Ardoch Youth Foundation has an integrated approach in responding to the needs of communities and this grant will support the Early Childhood Family Support Program. Ardoch’s work is focussed on early intervention and prevention in enhancing preparedness for learning. There is a particular emphasis on extending access to preschool and/or structured playgroups to as many children as possible, especially disadvantaged and vulnerable children. Ardoch also facilitates a wide range of corporate and community support for its programs and is well organised to act in providing and coordinating services and support at various levels to families. The model that Ardoch has developed is efficient and flexible and works with other services and agencies in the community. This grant is an increase on previous support by Sabemo Trust to the program.

Amount
$55,000

This grant will support Mission Australia’s Pathways to Prevention Project in the community of Miller, New South Wales. This program is an early intervention program which takes a holistic approach to working with children, families and the local community concentrating on improving a child’s social, communication and behavioural skills. Extending and developing parenting skills of parents and caregivers is also an important component of the program. Sabemo Trust will support a component of the total program, a multi cultural playgroup. Overall, the program works collaboratively with a number of key stakeholders in the community. The long term goal of Pathways to Prevention is a reduction of antisocial behaviour and juvenile crime. This grant continues previous support by Sabemo Trust to the program.

Amount
$9,000

The Brotherhood of St Laurence is conducting a 1 year pre-school education program Home Instruction Program for Pre-School Youngsters (HIPPY) for families of the Sudanese community families and their 4 year old children in Fitzroy and Collingwood, Victoria. HIPPY prepares young children for school aiming to build self esteem and linguistic confidence for parent and child. The parent is supported to undertake a teaching role in the home environment resulting in improved interactions between parent and child. Parents will be given demonstrations beforehand of the role play methods using the HIPPY materials. The HIPPY model is a well developed model previously funded and evaluated by Sabemo and judged effective.

Amount
$50,000

This grant will support the Dalwood Early Intervention Play Program which provides a holistic approach to the needs of vulnerable families and at risk children. The program provides four service components; Family Services (counselling, parent support, and case management); Parent Education and Parent/Child interaction playgroup programs; Volunteer home support service; and early childhood education and specialist services such as speech pathology. The funding will enable the Centre to expand its operations into the Dee Why area of Sydney.

Amount
$30,000

This grant will support a pilot and research project based at the South Coast Children’s and Family Centre and evaluated by the University of South Australia. The program seeks to address the issues of poor educational outcomes for severely abused and neglected children who come into contact with the out of home care system. The program seeks to achieve this through intensive casework to work towards rapid resolution of the family crisis, resolution of immediate safety concerns and return of the child to the family unit. Once this restoration has been achieved the child will return home with the continued paid support of the Family Day Care Services which will the child will attend via transport provided by Barnardos. The Family Day Carer Services will include a family day carer specifically trained in the attachment process who provides ongoing support and early childhood education staff.

Good Beginnings (for Holroyd Parramatta Migrant Services)

Amount
$46,000

This grant funds a supported playgroup using the Play and Learn model developed by Good Beginnings. The playgroup attracts a large number of parents and children from the Sudanese community and is held in the grounds of the Pendle Hill Public School. The playgroup is an opportunity for parents to meet other families in a relaxed and fun environment in which the focus is on the children. Appropriate developmental activities are provided for the children in order to encourage foundational skills which will be necessary for a smooth transition to school. The program also includes a transition to school program and there is a home visiting program.The excursions, which take place outside term time, are popular events with the parents and children.

Descriptions of projects funded for 2006

Amount
$69,500

Good Beginnings operates a number of early interventions programs in Sydney based on a community development model. This funding will enable two new Play and Learn supported playgroups to open, one in the inner west and the other in the Gladesville/Ryde area. Set up on school premises, the Play and Learn services use a supported playgroup model that encourages cross cultural links and promotes the interests of the individual community, offering appropriate and structured activities for young children. Parents are given support and information and a home visiting program is available for follow up if necessary. An introduction to school program takes place in Term 4 in which parents and children are familiarised with the school classrooms and routines. This grant extends the previous year’s funding by Sabemo Trust.

Amount
$35,000

Based in Melbourne, Ardoch Youth Foundation has an integrated approach in responding to the needs of communities and this grant will support the Early Childhood Family Support Program. Ardoch’s work is focussed on early intervention and prevention in enhancing preparedness for learning. There is a particular emphasis on extending access to preschool and/or structured playgroups to as many children as possible, especially disadvantaged and vulnerable children. Ardoch also facilitates a wide range of corporate and community support for its programs and is well organised to act in providing and coordinating services and support at various levels to families. The model that Ardoch has developed is efficient and flexible and works with other services and agencies in the community. This grant continues previous support by Sabemo Trust to the program.

Organisation
Mission Australia

Amount
$44,550

This grant will support Mission Australia’s Pathways to Prevention Project in the community of Miller, New South Wales. This program is an early intervention program which takes a holistic approach to working with children, families and the local community concentrating on improving a child’s social, communication and behavioural skills. Extending and developing parenting skills of parents and caregivers is also an important component of the program. Sabemo Trust will support a component of the total program, a multi cultural playgroup. Overall, the program works collaboratively with a number of key stakeholders in the community. The long term goal of Pathways to Prevention is a reduction of antisocial behaviour and juvenile crime.

Organisation
Circular Head Rural Health Services

Amount
$19,500

This grant will support Circular Head Rural Health Services in conducting a 1 year pre-school education program Home Instruction Program for Pre-School Youngsters (HIPPY) for families and their 4 year old children in North West Tasmania. HIPPY prepares young children for school aiming to build self esteem and linguistic confidence for parent and child. The programme empowers the parent to undertake a teaching role in the home environment resulting in improved interactions between parent and child. Parents will be given demonstrations beforehand of the role play methods using the HIPPY materials. The HIPPY model is a well developed model previously funded and evaluated by Sabemo and judged effective.

Organisation
HPMS/Good Beginnings

Amount
$48,000

Sabemo Trust has funded the Good Beginnings Play and Learn playgroup model which Good Beginnings has introduced and run through the Holroyd Migrant Centre. Through a supported playgroup parents and children are engaged in an environment in which parents are able to develop greater skills in assisting the healthy development of their children, relationships are strengthened between parents and child and community resources are made available as needed. Children are given developmentally appropriate activities and parents are visited by speakers who can inform and answer parents’ questions. Excursions are organized so families can experience activities that are popular with all cultures.

A home visiting program is incorporated into the Play and Learn model so that the needs of families can be met.

Organisation
Barnardos Australia

Amount
$15,000

The project’s specific aim is the prevention of adverse developmental and behavioural outcomes in children resulting from excessive alcohol and drug usage during pregnancy. The project will test over a 12 month period an approach known as the Substance Use in Pregnancy and Parenting Service (SUPPS) and Sabemo Trust will contribute by supplementing the existing program with funding for a specific focus on developing ante and post natal services to mothers.

Descriptions of projects funded in 2005

Organisation
The Spilstead Centre

Amount
$55,000

This grant will support the Child’s Play Project, part of the Dalwood Early Intervention Play Program. The Spilstead Early Intervention Centre provides a range of services to at risk pre-school age children. By providing support and stimulation to young children, the Centre gives young children the opportunity to develop and learn. The funding will enable the Centre to employ a part-time speech therapist and a psychologist to give children access to these therapies when necessary.

Organisation
Good Beginnings

Amount
$65,000

Good Beginnings operates a number of early interventions programs in Sydney based on a community development model. This funding will enable two new Play and Learn supported playgroups to open, one in the inner west and the other in the Gladesville/Ryde area. Set up on school premises, the Play and Learn services use a supported playgroup model that encourages cross cultural links and promotes the interests of the individual community, offering appropriate and structured activities for young children. Parents are given support and information and a home visiting program is available for follow up if necessary. An introduction to school program takes place in Term 4 in which parents and children are familiarised with the school classrooms and routines. This grant extends the previous year’s funding by Sabemo Trust.

Organisation
Ardoch Youth Foundation

Amount
$35,000

Based in Melbourne, Ardoch Youth Foundation has an integrated approach in responding to the needs of communities and this grant will support the Early Childhood Family Support Program. Ardoch’s work is focussed on early intervention and prevention in enhancing preparedness for learning. There is a particular emphasis on extending access to preschool and/or structured playgroups to as many children as possible, especially disadvantaged and vulnerable children. Ardoch also facilitates a wide range of corporate and community support for its programs and is well organised to act in providing and coordinating services and support at various levels to families. The model that Ardoch has developed is efficient and flexible and works with other services and agencies in the community. This grant continues previous support by Sabemo Trust to the program.

Organisation
Mission Australia

Amount
$50,000

This grant will support Mission Australia’s Pathways to Prevention Project in the community of Miller, New South Wales. This program is an early intervention program which takes a holistic approach to working with children, families and the local community concentrating on improving a child’s social, communication and behavioural skills. Extending and developing parenting skills of parents and caregivers is also an important component of the program. Sabemo Trust will support a component of the total program, a multi cultural playgroup. Overall, the program works collaboratively with a number of key stakeholders in the community. The long term goal of Pathways to Prevention is a reduction of antisocial behaviour and juvenile crime.

Organisation
The Infants’ Home

Amount
$33,570

The Infants’ Home provides an early intervention service for children and parents, part of which is the Sydney Hope Family Cottage Program which conducts home visits to infants aged 0-12 months and their families. Parents and carers needing assistance with feeding or sleeping issues are referred to the program and a home visit by a qualified staff member can last for a full day. The program can offer critical access to at risk and socially isolated families enabling positive relationships to develop and supporting and empowering parents in their roles. After the home visit, the program also offers phone contact follow up to parents. Sabemo Trust is extending funding from the previous year. This year, the grant will support a clinical nurse specialist/midwife in the home visiting program.

Organisation
Baby Dreamers, Inverell TAFE

Amount
$20,000

This is a program designed for young parents (15-24 years) with pre school aged children. Using materials produced by New England TAFE, young parents are given classes in literacy, cooking, budgetting, nutrition, child development and health as well as skills in interpersonal communication. Agencies working in the area are involved in referring clients and monitoring the progress of families on a regular basis and the program has full support of the community as a whole. While parents are involved in class work, children are occupied in a range of developmentally appropriate activities in a structured play group.

Descriptions of projects funded in 2004

Organisation
Good Beginnings

Amount
$65,000

Good Beginnings operates a number of Play and Learn early interventions programs in Sydney based on a community development model. Operating on school premises, the Play and Learn model uses a supported playgroup model that encourages cross cultural links and promotes the interests of the individual community, offering appropriate and structured activities for young children. Parents are given support and information and a home visiting program is available for follow up if necessary. An “introduction to school” program takes place in Term 4 in which parents and children are familiarised with the school classrooms and routines.

Organisation
Ardoch Youth Foundation

Amount
$35,000

Based in Melbourne, Ardoch Youth Foundation has an integrated approach in responding to the needs of communities and this grant will support the Early Childhood Family Support Program. Ardoch’s work is focussed on early intervention and prevention in enhancing preparedness for learning. There is a particular emphasis on extending access to preschool and/or structured playgroups to as many children as possible, especially disadvantaged and vulnerable children. Ardoch also facilitates a wide range of corporate and community support for its programs and is well organised to act in providing and coordinating services and support at various levels to families. The model that Ardoch has developed is efficient and flexible and works with other services and agencies in the community.

Organisation
The Infants’ Home

Amount
$33,570

The Infants’ Home provides an early intervention service for children and parents, part of which is the Sydney Hope Family Cottage program which conducts home visits to infants aged 0-12 months and their families. Parents and carers needing assistance with feeding or sleeping issues are referred to the program and a home visit by a qualified staff member can extend for a full day. The program can offer critical access to at risk and socially isolated families enabling positive relationships to develop and supporting and empowering parents in their roles. After the home visit, the program also offers phone contact follow up to parents. Sabemo Trust is extending and increasing funding from the previous year.

Organisation
Brotherhood of St Laurence

Amount
$13,500

The Brotherhood of St Laurence is conducting a 2 year pre-school education program Home Instruction Program for Pre-School Youngsters (HIPPY) for members of 9 disadvantaged (culturally and linguistically) Vietnamese families and their 4 year old children in Richmond, Victoria. HIPPY prepares young children for school aiming to build self esteem and linguistic confidence for parent and child. The parent is supported to undertake a teaching role in the home environment resulting in improved interactions between parent and child. Parents will be given demonstrations beforehand of the role play methods using the HIPPY materials.

Organisation
Baby Dreamers, New England TAFE

Amount
$20,000

This is a pilot program targeting young parents (15-24 years) with pre school aged children. Using materials produced by New England TAFE, young parents are given classes in literacy, cooking, budgetting, nutrition, child development and health as well as skills in interpersonal communication. Agencies working in the area are involved in referring clients and monitoring the progress of families on a regular basis and the program has full support of the community as a whole. While parents are involved in class work, children are occupied in a range of developmentally appropriate activities in a structured play group.

Amount
$9,300

NAPCAN is sponsoring the 15th International Congress on Child Abuse and Neglect to be held in Brisbane from September 19th to the 22nd, 2004. It will be held by the International Society for the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect (ISPCAN). The overall theme of the conference is Working Together for a Child Safe World covering early intervention programs, health, legal and social policy issues and cross sectoral approaches in dealing with child abuse.

Amount
$56,071

The Benevolent Society wants to expand its First Five Years Program Central Sydney which assists vulnerable children in Redfern and Waterloo. Sabemo Trust has enabled the Benevolent Society to establish and grow the First Five Years program in Macarthur for the last two years and the same model will now be replicated in some of Sydney’s high need communities. The volunteer home visiting program in the area will be expanded by developing Connections, a group for mothers and babies. As well, partnerships with childcare centres in the area will be made, facilitating a working relationship with children, parents and staff to provide a community culture that will help nurture well adjusted children.

Year Ending 30th June 2003

Organisation
Ardoch Youth Foundation

Amount
$30,000

The Ardoch Early Childhood Family Support Program is a broadly based intervention program that aims to prevent social problems such as homelessness, early school leaving and family breakdown. The program is based in schools and early childhood centres and offers support to children 0-5 years and their families. The focus is to enable children to maximise their opportunities for learning. Tutor/mentoring and basic needs programs are some of the activities that make up Ardoch's work as well as a breakfast program. Ardoch's work is assisted by volunteers from the community.

Organisation
The Benevolent Society

Amount
$55,500

This project supports high-need families in the South Western Sydney region who have young children. As an early intervention program, the project aims to address major difficulties in the development of satisfactory child/parent relationships and also to facilitate antenatal groups. The project is community focussed, promoting stability and achievement in children and developing peer support networks. Complementing the work with single mothers and parents, there is also a focus on young men who are parents. A male early intervention worker will help young fathers build self esteem and support them in building strong relationships and active participation in their children's lives.

Organisation
Good Beginnings

Amount
$60,000

This grant is for the Good Beginnings Inner West Connect program which is expanding into a number of public schools in Inner Western Sydney. The focus of this work is the building of capacity in individual families and the community. This will be achieved through the integration of a number of different strands: support for families with preschool age children through supported play groups; a Ready for School program which links parents and children into the school environment and the strengthening of social networks and partnerships in the communities of the inner West so that the needs of families are more readily supported.

Organisation
Karinya House

Amount
$13,500

Karinya House is a community based facility for mothers and babies based in the Australian Capital Territory. It supports an accommodation facility and outreach service for women who are pregnant and without appropriate accommodation and support. The grant will enable Karinya House to provide extra services to its outreach work which is expanding as the client base from Karinya House increases.

Organisation
Mission Australia

Amount
$20,000 (Miller Preschool)

The Pre-school offers an early education program for 3-5 year olds and works in partnership with families, community and service agencies. Children with special needs and disabilities are integrated into the routines of the pre-school. Miller Pre-school and Early Intervention Support have established a range of partnerships with other service providers and also offer support for children with learning difficulties and Autism Spectrum Disorder. Parents of special needs children are encouraged to facilitate their own child's development in consultation with staff.

Organisation
The Infants' Home

Amount
$16,000

The Infants' Home works in the early intervention area providing services to children and families. The grant will be used in the Sydney Hope Cottage day stay program where parents are able to meet with staff on a 1:1 basis and work through issues related to feeding, sleeping and settling of newborn babies. The centre also provides assistance in post-natal difficulties experienced by new mothers. A home visiting program is also available.

Organisation
Uniting Care Burnside

Amount
$6,300

The program which this grant supports is the Early Childhood Language Program, a partnership between the Northern Lakes Family Centre and the Linguistics Department of the University of Newcastle. Using a play based early childhood program, speech pathology students from the university assess the children's language and speech development and provide an ongoing language program. By choosing an outreach model of service delivery, more children are seen each week than is possible in the traditional clinical model of speech pathology. The program also reaches children while they are waiting for assessment with the Area Health Services and gives staff the opportunity to provide access for families to parenting education programs and other services. The grant will provide the part-time services of a clinical speech pathology supervisor.

Year Ending 30th June 2002

Organisation
Abercare Family Services

Amount
$8,225

This program provides a support service for children who have a sibling with a disability. The long term goal of the program is to build and create friendships among children who share a family background in which a sibling has a disability. By providing a safe environment children will have a chance to gain support from their peers in a context where their concerns are understood. The funds will be used to target younger children in compliance with the Trust's guidelines.
Funding period - 1 year

Organisation
SHELLS (Support at Home for Early Language and Literacies)

Amount
$55,000

This grant supports one stage of an ongoing, implemented project that provides data for research into early literacy development in young children (0-3years). The program is being conducted by the Children and Education Research Centre at The University of Newcastle, NSW and has been implemented in a number of urban and rural areas of NSW. It provides intensive support to participating parents/carers so that they can influence their child's development in the emerging literacy skills. The program shows parents how they play an important role in their child's development and that they do this from the very earliest moments in a child's life. The focus of this concept is on the various naturally occurring interactive experiences the parent and child share; for example, games, "conversations", songs and the reading of story books. When the outcomes of this project are collated and analysed, the significance of the home setting in emerging literacy will be better understood with potential implications for all communities.

Organisation
Karinya House Home for Mothers and Babies Incorporated

Amount
$10,730

Karinya House Home for Mothers and Babies is a community based organisation which provides a supported accommodation facility and outreach service for women who are pregnant or with a young baby and without appropriate accommodation and support. The purpose of this grant is to provide a pilot outreach service to support the re-integration of young mothers and babies into the community. Establishing appropriate networks, liaising with employment/educational training services, maintaining health/welfare contacts etc will be the focus of the service and a manual will be produced detailing the essential processes.
Period of funding - 1 year

Organisation
Save the Children Fund

Amount
$50,000

Save the Children Fund currently provides services to children and families in the Blacktown area. One area of need in this community is the number of families with limited access to community services. Save the Children currently operates a mobile playgroup to these families targetting children 0-5 years and the current grant will extend this service. Young children will have the opportunity with this program to socialise and interact with other children and their parents can share experiences with others while being informed about the broader community.
Period of funding - 1 year

Organisation
Sisters of Charity Outreach

Amount
$10,000

The Sisters of Charity Outreach operates a Parent Support Program in Casula for young mothers and their young children. With the assistance of trained volunteers, mothers participate in programs which develop parenting skills while the children play under supervision. This grant will support the Parent Support Program and will cover a period of 1 year.

Organisation
The Benevolent Society

Amount
$58,000

This grant will support the Benevolent Society's Early Intervention Program in the South Western Sydney region by providing a program worker who will support the Home-Start program as well as the Young Mothers and Domestic Violence teams. In this area of Sydney, the Benevolent Society aims to work with young children and families before a critical intervention point is reached. This program will provide professional support to families so that they can provide a nurturing environment for young children.
Period of funding - 1 year

Organisation
Mission Australia Miller Pre-school and Early Intervention Program

Amount
$55,000

Miller Pre-school and Early Intervention Support is a family centred, community based program. The early intervention programs are integrated into a community pre-school program where children with special needs and developmental delays are included into the program. The program is a model for inclusive practices in early intervention and has recently been recognised as a "model service" by a new national initiative, the National Investment for the Early Years (NIFTeY). A recent expansion of the program has meant that Miller Pre-school and Early Intervention Support can provide a clear pathway for young children and their families from birth to school by assisting with a range of programs aimed at encouraging them to reach their full potential.
Period of funding - 1 year.

Organisation
Good Beginnings

Amount
$69,000

The grant to Good Beginnings will assist in the continuation of the Inner West Sydney Connect Program which has been in operation at Lewisham Public School for the last 18 months. The target group is families with young children and due to the high numbers of NESB families in this area the program provides a crucial link between disparate cultures based on shared interests of pre-school age children. Through Playtime sessions in the school, parents are brought together and children are prepared for the transition to Infants' School. In the next phase, this program will be extended to other schools in the Inner Western suburbs of Sydney and it is planned that a more developmentally organised phase will follow on from the Playtime sessions so that children will get the benefits of a more structured pre-school experience.
Period of funding - 1 year.

Organisation
St. Vincent de Paul Society

Amount
$42,000

Rural communities suffer a range of disadvantages especially in the area of providing therapies for children where the community is at a distance from large urban centres. This grant will provide the services of occupational and speech therapists so that young children will be treated early, minimising the possibilities of learning delays. The program will be operational in Gulargambone and Coonamble and parents will be given the opportunity to participate in their children's therapies thus providing ongoing support in their child's skill development.
Period of funding - 1 year.

Year Ending 30th June 2001

Organisation
Good Beginnings

Amount
$65,000

The Good Beginnings Connect project is run out of Lewisham Primary School. The program has a multicultural focus and aims to strengthen community links and introduce socially isolated families with pre-school aged children to one another through the environment of the local school. A cross-cultural play group, parent sessions with the school counsellor and visits to Kindergarten classrooms for pre-school children allow families to connect with others in the community and assist teachers to understand the needs of these families and their children when they enter Kindergarten. The support offered by this program encourages children and parents to relate in a positive manner with the school enabling learning and early skills acquisition.

Organisation
Mission Australia

Amount
$54,427

The Campbelltown Early Intervention Program is a community service targetting families of developmentally delayed and disabled children with special needs. The program runs group sessions as well as individual therapy sessions and encourages parents to assist in their children’s development and skills acquisition. Through early intervention children are helped to reach their full potential and become part of their communities. By focussing on the social, physical and mental development, children can become more fully integrated into a school environment. The Campbelltown Early Intervention Program has become a vital support to families in this area.

Organisation
Uniting Care

Amount
$36,000

Uniting Care Orana Family Services project is an early intervention program run as a community based service which strengthens families and communities. The program builds on services already existing in a community and offers ongoing support to families through a community development model of mutual support. A key element of this program is the development of Parent Community Partners where volunteers take on the support of new families and parents in the local area and establish and consolidate linkages by adopting these parents into the program. Through an emphasis on parenting skills for new parents in newly established areas, the Orana Family Services Program effectively addresses the needs of families who may otherwise suffer social isolation and promotes community participation and ownership.

Year Ending 30th June 2000

Organisation
Mission Australia

Amount
$44,000

The Campbelltown Early Intervention Program is a community service targetting families of developmentally delayed and disabled children with special needs. The program runs group sessions as well as individual therapy sessions and encourages parents to assist in their childrenís development and skills acquisition. Through early intervention children are helped to reach their full potential and become part of their communities. By focussing on the social, physical and mental development, children can become more fully integrated into a school environment. The Campbelltown Early Intervention Program has become a vital support to families in this area.

Organisation
Bathurst Family Support Service Inc.

Amount
$21,860

Kelso Community Connections in collaboration with Bathurst Family Support Service provides individual support to families in the Bathurst and Oberon areas. The program is a collaborative approach to the range of problems that local parentís face, in the early years of their childís life, particularly when they are isolated from their extended family and the community in which they live.

Organisation
St. Vincent de Paul Society

Amount
$73,827

Coonamble District Children’s Therapy Aid Program provides early intervention for children with learning difficulties. Since inception in 1997 the program has assisted 60 children wih individual treatment sessions to improve their speech, language and motor skills. Coonamble Fun Family Retading Program aims to provide children, particularly those who are traditionally non-library users, or where parents are poor readers, with greater opportunities to develop their literacy and numeracy skills by the time of school entry through parent involvement in pre-literacy and literacy based activities.