Families

FOCUS ON FAMILIES

Update on the Family Strategy

The Family Strategy is an initiative of the Southern Fleurieu Councils, aiming to improve the well being of families and children by:

• Making our community a better place for families
• Achieving stronger links between families and their communities
• Strengthening the effectiveness of services to families and children

It may come as a surprise to you that the issues which families raised as part of the Family Strategy Survey ranged from cleaner rivers and beaches to child friendly restaurants, from fenced and sheltered playgrounds to employment opportunities, from lack of fresh fruit and vegetable shops to street lighting and footpaths, from affordable housing both now and in the future to guess what - the need for a swimming pool. Initially it was a surprise for us too, but on reflection doesn't it make perfect sense that families are concerned with all aspects of living in a community and that, in turn, they all impact on the quality of family life?

We will be informing the community groups, businesses, service providers, government and council departments who have responsibility for the issues raised and inviting them to comment on their current involvement and their visions in addressing those issues. Over the coming weeks and months the Family Strategy Project will be reporting back to you. We will outline the issues raised, tell you who we referred them on to and let you know what they are already doing and what they are planning to do. We invite you to use this column as a public forum. Your comments are a welcome contribution to making our communities a better place for families.

For more information or comment phone Sophie Piron, Consultant to the Family Strategy, on 8598 4170 or Jen at the City of Victor Harbor on 8551 0542.

Southern Fleurieu Family Links Project

What is Family Links?

The Southern Fleurieu Family Links Project works with children's services to strengthen families and communities on the Southern and Eastern Fleurieu. The project works closely with early childhood services and groups, including the following:

• Child care centres
• Family day care schemes
• Outside school hours care programs
• Occasional care services
• Playgroups & Kindergyms
• Preschools & schools

What Does Family Links Do for Families, Children's Services and the Community?

Southern Fleurieu Family Links Workers:

• Visit these services and talk to staff and families about their ideas on what families want and need to help them raise their children and make their job as a parent easier
• Help services/groups to provide family friendly environments where families can connect to other families and become more involved in their communities if they wish
• Work with management, staff and families to share skills and ideas which support families
• Work with organizations to identify services and referrals required by families
• Promote the positive role of Early Childhood Services and Groups in the community
• Encourage and promote the development of leadership skills, volunteerism and community partnerships

Directories

The Southern Fleurieu Directory of Services for Families and Children has detailed information about services and is sent to all children's services in the region. Individual pages can be copied and given to parents/carers. A Family and Community Directory has been produced for Yankalilla district and contains useful contact numbers for families and services. Contact Council's Community Development Officer on 8558 02008 for further information.

Projects

• Yankalilla Community Playground Project
• Children's Toileting Project
• Know Where to Go Project - Resources For Families
  Launched in 2000, the project is funded by the Commonwealth Department of Family and Community Services and managed by the Alexandrina Council, the City of Victor Harbor and the District Council of Yankalilla.