Act for Kids is proudly marking five years linking vulnerable children and families in the Ipswich region with support services.
Attending the celebration today (28 February) Minister for Child Safety Di Farmer said the services delivered by Act for Kids played an essential role for the Ipswich community.
“Act for Kids runs a variety of programs including Family Support Services, Family and Child Connect at several locations in Queensland on behalf of the Department of Child Safety, Youth and Women,” Ms Farmer said.
“They work to link families and children who come to the attention of Child Safety on the Darling Downs and far west regions to services they need to help with personal and domestic challenges.
“Integrated therapy in Ipswich is offered to children and families to help them raise happy, healthy kids and enjoy positive family relationships.
“They provide wrap-around specialist services through teams that include specialists including family coaches, psychologists, occupational and speech therapists.”
Ms Farmer said demand for family support services was constant and particularly needed when communities experienced challenges such as financial hardship, domestic and family violence, drug misuses and other stressors.
“Integrated therapy helps children and young people overcome trauma and other experiences or challenges they may have faced so they can reach their full potential,” she said.
Act for Kids Chair Dr David Hamill AM said their Integrated Therapy Service was a unique model that allowed children to benefit from psychology, occupational therapy and speech therapy in one place.
“This integrated approach has been proven to achieve better outcomes for children struggling from developmental delays due to abuse or neglect they have experienced,” he said.
“We are grateful for the communities support and engagement with our service, as well as the philanthropic funding we’ve received to keep our doors open.
“Without the support of partners such as the Future Generation Investment Company and The Daniel Morcombe Foundation, we would not be here today.”
CEO of Act for Kids Dr Neil Carrington said the organisation was proud to have delivered the service to children and families in Ipswich for the past five years.
“Since 2015 we have supported 98 children and young people that have experienced severe trauma and helped them to heal from their experiences,” he said.
