Families across Queensland are urged to call 13 FAMILY for extra support when times are tough this Christmas.
Child Safety Minister Shannon Fentiman said the festive season could be a challenging time for many Queenslanders as they struggled to meet both family and financial pressures during the school holidays.
Many families struggle with the extra pressures associated with this time of year, Ms Fentiman said.
Ms Fentiman, who visited the North Brisbane Integrated Family Support service on Monday, said 13 FAMILY had received more than 25,000 calls for help from Queensland families between January and October.
In that time, Family and Child Connect services have referred more than 7,000 families on for support and provided information, advice and resources to more than 5,500 Queensland families, Ms Fentiman said.
This includes referrals to places like the North Brisbane Integrated Family Support (IFS) service, where almost 400 local families have worked in partnership with staff to resolve domestic and family violence, get mental health support, receive in home parenting support and even developmental assistance for their children.
This is a fantastic service and this is just one of many ways we are working with families so they can get the help they need earlier, before small problems become big ones.
Ms Fentiman spent the morning at the North Brisbane Integrated Family Support (IFS) service speaking with families and children of the service, in the midst of their end of year celebration complete with a jumping castle, face painting, ice cream and fairy bread!
The Palaszczuk Government provide more than $1.5 million a year to support the work of Act for Kids and Communify at IFS Brisbane North.
Ms Fentiman said all parents could brush up on their skills and access expert advice over the holidays by undertaking the world-renowned Triple P Positive Parenting Program.
Triple P is available free of charge to all Queensland parents and carers of children up to 16 years, Ms Fentiman said.
Regardless of your situation, Triple P can give you practical ways to parent more effectively and give your children the best opportunities to reach their full potential.
Make 2017 a great year for your family by taking part in Triple P.
For more information:
- Family and Child Connect:
- Call: 13FAMILY (13 32 64)
- Visit: qld.gov.au/community/caring-child/family-child-connect
- Triple P