Leading child protection organisation Act for Kids has expanded its regional footprint with a new centre offering much-needed support for Townsville families going through tough times.
The Act for Kids Townsville Family Support Centre officially opened this week, providing support services to families experiencing challenges related to parenting, domestic and family violence, substance use, mental health issues and more.
This is the organisation’s second location to open in the North Queensland city, with the Act for Kids Child and Family Centre of Excellence to remain at James Cook University.
Director of Family Support Services Northern, Julie Inskip said the new hub at 14-16 Ryan Street, Belgian Gardens would expand support to more families.
“During the last financial year, our combined services responded to 428 requests for help from families across the region and supported more than 2000 people,” Julie said.
“We are seeing an overwhelming need for safe and stable housing across the region, with many people being unable to secure homes for their families due to the current demand for housing and rising rental costs.
“We are receiving a significant number of requests to help parents and children who have experienced domestic and family violence, as well as support for substance abuse and mental health challenges.”
The Townsville Family Support Centre was designed to be a family-friendly, safe and welcoming space.
Its reach covers a vast geographical area – north to Ingham, south to the Burdekin, and all the way west to Hughenden.
The two programs based out of the new centre, Intensive Family Support and Functional Family Therapy, are funded by the Department of Child Safety.
Act for Kids CEO Dr Katrina Lines said the organisation was proud to have a long and established presence in Townsville since 2015.
“The majority of people we help in this region come predominantly through government referral pathways, such as Queensland Health, Education Queensland and the Department of Child Safety,” Dr Lines said.
“We recognise that meaningful change for children and families depends on collaboration across the sector, where government and non-government agencies work hand in hand to achieve better outcomes.”
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Act for Kids media contact:
Melanie Whiting
0427 794 666
Melanie.whiting@actforkids.com.au