WHAT IS COMMUNITIES FOR CHILDREN?

Communities for Children (CfC) is a ‘place-based’ initiative funded by the Department of Social Services. Swan CfC is delivered by Ngala as the Facilitating Partner delivering the Communities for Children initiative within the Swan Local Government Area whose core business is to:

develop and facilitate a ‘whole of community’ approach to support and enhance early childhood development and wellbeing for children from birth to 12 years”.

As part of this responsibility, the Facilitating Partner sub-contracts other organisations, known as Community Partners, to deliver services that contribute to achieving this core role.

WHO ARE COMMUNITY PARTNERS?

Community Partners are organisations sub-contracted by Swan CfC to deliver ‘Activities’ which meet the outcomes of the Communities for Children initiative and the community.

HOW ARE COMMUNITY PARTNERS SELECTED?

The Swan CfC Community Committee assists the Swan CfC to plan, guide and support the Communities for Children initiative within the Swan region.

The Community Committee is an advisory group comprising of community members and organisations who each bring a unique perspective that complements the knowledge and skills of the Swan Communities for Children initiative team.

WHAT ACTIVITIES DO COMMUNITY PARTNERS PROVIDE?

BabyFAST, CLAN Midland: An eight-week program for young parents, expecting parents and grandparents to support building informal social support networks, maximise brain development and encourage healthy parent-child relationships. For more information contact 9250 6335 or [email protected]

Bullsbrook Junior Hangout, City of Swan: An eight-week program providing an opportunity for children aged 7-11 years to socialise, meet, take part in activities, learn new skills and have positive experiences. For more information contact 9207 8565 or [email protected]

Empowering Parents Empowering Communities (EPEC), CLAN Midland: EPEC is a peer-to-peer program that trains parents to deliver the ‘Being a Parent’ (BAP) course in their communities. The BAP course aims to help parents develop positive communication and parenting skills, emotional literacy, and to encourage parents to be mindful of how their words and actions can impact on children’s wellbeing. For more information contact 9250 6335 or [email protected]

FAST, CLAN Midland: Families and Schools Together (FAST) is an eight-week program where families within the school community are brought together to meet other families, school staff and community members. For more information contact 9250 6335 or [email protected]

Multicultural Playgroup-Ellenbrook & Brabham, Playgroup WA: Playgroup for families with young children aged 0-5 years from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds to meet other families in the local area and have fun playing and learning together.  For more information contact 1800 171 882 or [email protected]

Strong Fathers, Indigo Junction: A program to support Aboriginal fathers living in the Swan Region. For more information contact 9274 7929 or [email protected]

Midland Hip Hop, Indigo Junction: Known as the ‘Beat Walkers’, this activity is a school holiday program for school-aged children and is inclusive of children from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander backgrounds. For more information contact 9274 5382 or [email protected]

Mother Baby Nurture, Playgroup WA: A 10-week relationship-focused group program for mothers who are struggling to care for and connect with their baby (0-6 months). For more information contact 1800 171 882 or [email protected]

INNOVATION FUND:

The Innovation Fund provides annual grants of up to $10,000 to local organisations who work with families and can successfully identify a service area gap. This funding allows for investment in innovation while also helping to build the capacity of groups and organisations in the Swan region. For more information about the current Innovation activities being delivered in the region or for more information about future opportunities please contact the Swan CfC team at [email protected]

COMMUNITY CAPACITY BUILDING FUND GRANTS

The Community Capacity Building Fund (CCBF) provides one-off small grants to assist in the personal, professional or educational development of community members or organisations which directly or indirectly benefit vulnerable children 0-12 years and their families, support collaborative community partnerships and are inclusive of all cultures and abilities.

Community members, community groups or not-for-profit organisations within the City of Swan may apply for grants from $1,000 to $2,000 for organisations and up to $500 for individuals.

For further information and assistance please contact the Swan CfC team.

Ph: (08) 9368 9309 Email [email protected]

WHAT ELSE DOES THE SWAN COMMUNITIES FOR CHILDREN DO?

Offer opportunities for cross-sector engagement and learning together by organising professional training, workshops and a Quarterly Network Breakfast.

Our staff and volunteers work alongside members of the Aboriginal community to inform community planning and decision making.

Develop, update and distribute resources for local service providers:
– Connecting to Aboriginal Culture and Community
– Environmental scan documents
– Understanding Our Way: Perceptions from culturally diverse communities

Brings together children to inform community planning and decision making through hearing the Voice of the Child.

Our staff and volunteers work alongside members of CaLD communities to inform community planning and decision making.

Support Community Partners to develop best practice evaluation tools and evidence-based programs in partnership with Curtin University.

 

WOULD YOU LIKE SOME MORE INFORMATION:

If you would like further information please contact the Swan Communities for Children team.

Address: Level 1, Suite 3, 38 Main Street, Ellenbrook WA 6069
Telephone: (08) 9368 9309 or (08) 9368 9311
Email: [email protected]

RELEVANT DOCUMENTS

DSS Communities for Children Operational Guidelines
Our Impact over the decade 2011 – 2021 – Summary
Our impact: a decade of the Swan Alliance 2011-2021

RESOURCES FOR LOCAL SERVICES

Connecting to Aboriginal Culture and Community
Understanding Our Way: Perceptions from Culturally Diverse Communities 

 

Funded by the Australian Government Department of Social Services. Visit www.dss.gov.au for more information.