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Families on
the far north coast are now seeing the fruits of $990,000
in Howard Government funding, with the opening of the Far
North Coast Centre for Autism.
The Minister for Family and Community Services, Senator Kay
Patterson, today officially opened the centre, the first point
of call for Autism Spectrum Australia's Building Blocks
program on the far north coast of NSW.
"The centre is an important part of the Building
Blocks early intervention program, funded under the Early
Childhood - Invest to Grow initiative, assisting children
with autism spectrum disorders and their families," Senator
Patterson said.
"The centre provides parents and carers with opportunities
to meet with a centre coordinator and other parents for support
and practical advice about autism and local service providers
will have greater access to information, support and training
services through this centre.
"The Building Blocks program will provide early
intervention services for up to 120 children with autism,
as well as weekly parent training support groups and an itinerant
behaviour intervention service for their families.
"The program aims to improve developmental outcomes
for children by creating more resilient and supportive family
environments, it also offers parents and local service providers
the skills and strategies to manage children with challenging
behaviours.
"By working together with local service providers, the
program will aim to improve local networking, coordination
and partnerships between service providers and families in
the Far North Coast region.
"The Early Childhood - Invest to Grow initiative
is part of the Howard Government's $490 million Stronger
Families and Communities Strategy, giving families, their
children and communities the opportunity to build a better
future.
"The initiative will provide $70.5 million over the
next four years for national early childhood programs and
resources and to develop programs which test innovative approaches
to early childhood development.
"Early childhood is a Howard Government priority and
we will continue to work together with organisations like
Autism Spectrum Australia, to provide support and assistance
for children and their families," Senator Patterson said. |
