Tender opens for new early intervention program

2022-05-11

A $10 million tender has opened for a new early intervention program to help South Australian parents overcome mental health issues, violence, drugs and alcohol, or homelessness. The Strong Families, Strong Communities aims to improve outcomes for children and disrupt the cycle of intergenerational child abuse and neglect.

Eligibility for the program

The program is designed to better support families with medium-level risk factors before their challenges escalate. Families who have successfully addressed high-level risks and can confidently step down to a less intensive model of support will also be eligible.

To maximise the program’s impact on intergenerational outcomes, priority will be given to:

• families at critical life junctures, including young parents
• families with an infant at risk
• adolescents with complex trauma
• Aboriginal families with multiple and complex needs.

Better serving Aboriginal families a key goal

Better serving Aboriginal families is a key goal, with services specifically required to engage effectively with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families. The service will promote self-determination by encouraging community and self-referrals by Aboriginal people and building connection to culture as a key protective factor that enables children to thrive.

The program also focuses on services for culturally and linguistically diverse families through case management, group work and community engagement.

Tenders are open

A tender for the program opened on 10 May 2022, with funding packaged as $4 million per year over two and a half years and services set to commence across the state in 2023.

The new program marks the next phase of reform in the state’s Child and Family Support System.

Read more about this important whole of government reform to keep children safe and well at home in family, community and culture.